Theli, by Therion.

*****

Words are tricky things, and I’m finding it hard to summon the right ones to do sufficient justice to this album. Listening to Theli isn’t just an audio experience, it’s piece of art to be absorbed with your full attention. Grandiose choirs lilt and rise against a carefully woven architecture of majestic strings, stirring keyboard melodies and marvellous guitars that are highlighted just so with neoclassical tones to both contrast and blend with these beautiful arrangements, all underpinned with sterling rhythm work that keeps the metal quota of this record firmly in the foreground, never to be over-swamped by the orchestra or choir. Christofer Johnsson is the Mozart of metal, blending his keen love of classical music and heavy metal with careless ease, a master artisan sculpting a tour de force that after twelve years, even Therion themselves have yet to better, never mind the competition. A complex and demanding listen this no doubt is, but one that avoids alienating upon your first listen through the sheer quality of musicianship on display and the artful, catchy hooks that are littered throughout this towering giant of an album. Further listens lead you on a wondrous journey to discover all the intricacies of this paragon of symphonic metal. Rousing, heartfelt, beautiful and essential, praise is something this album could never get enough of.