A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

I had this album for quite a long time. Actually I was not interested at all to purchase the CD because of one reason: I don't like an album name that is similar (hey, exactly the same!) with other band. I know exactly that "A Night at the Opera" name has anchored into my mind since my childhood when I knew Queen. So it's hard for me to accept other bands use similar or the same album name because it indicates the band is not creative at all. With countless provocation from my metal friends, I finally conquered myself and purchased the CD. With my previous total satisfaction of their "Nightfall In Middle Earth", it does make sense if I expect something more from than previous album. There was no regret at all after I spun the CD even though that I still rate "Nightfall" higher in rating than this album. One thing for sure, this album would not make you down at all - especially if you love power metal with some flavor of symphonic style. I personally like the way Hansi Kursch sings combined with unique guitar sounds and inclusion of keyboard which makes the album sounds symphonic.

On composition, I can say that this album has excellent melody where each song brings in itself a nuance of "tale" being told to listeners. The tagline melody mostly come from vocal and choirs even though in interlude the melody is given to guitar. The arrangements are mostly complex, blending the sounds of guitar, accentuated with keyboards and powerful drumwork and tight bass guitar lines. Particular to guitar, I think the sound is like a mix of Brian May's (Queen) and Mick Box's (Uriah Heep). The band has proven to be successful in providing ups and downs dynamically throughout particular track as well as the whole album. Having considered these factors, I can say that this album has an excellent structural integrity at song as well as album levels. The last part on composition is on music harmonies among vocal - choirs, guitar sounds, keyboards as well as drum and bass guitar. It's so beautiful and it brings the music in a very smooth flow.

The flow that makes great music!

The opening track "Precious Jerussalem" blasts off wonderfully through dynamic and jaw dropping drum work which gives "energy" to the music followed with Kursch voice line and unique guitar sound at background. The combination of lead voice and choirs is really excellent. It's an excellent opening track and it blew me away at first spin. The interlude part is also wonderful and it reminds me to the style of "Nightfall in Middle Earth" album. "Battlefield" opening is so colossal with guitar fills and keyboard in mellow style followed with powerful power metal music ala Blind Guardian. Hmmm. I can feel that this is the music of Blind Guardian. It's so unique and I don't think any band alike. The heavy riffs provided by this track are awesome especially when it's combined with guitar melody which reminds me to Mick Box of Uriah Heep. "Under The Ice" also has nice opening with guitar fills followed with fast tempo power metal music. The chorus line is "very Blind Guardian" - it's very unique! Oh I do enjoy the music interlude when guitar gives its stunning solo.

"Sadly Sings Destiny" starts with guitar riffs which makes me think of a hard rock track. But I'm wrong because what follows is a complex arrangements with guitar plays critical role augmented with powerful double pedal bass drum and bass guitar. Of course, the combination of vocal and choirs is still predominant factor in the music. The guitar solo this time reminds me truly to the music of Uriah Heep - it's like Mick Box playing power metal music. This song has great riffs and it's very dynamic in terms of style and tempo changes. The chorus line is great especially with high register notes on lead vocal department. "The Maiden and The Minstrel Knight" is very symphonic and it starts mellow with guitar fills augmented with keyboard. It's like taking a break from heavy music into mellow style. Still, I admire the combination of lead vocal and choirs - it's very nice man! When music flows into heavier style, the role of lead vocal and choirs is becoming more obvious especially when it's accentuated with guitar melody. Until this track I think all of tracks presented thus far are all progressive in style!

I won't do all track by track review as I think all tracks are great - at least for my ears. Track no. 10 "And Then There Was Silence" should be considered special because it's an epic with great composition and musicianship. This epic in itself is like a mini-story because the way the music composed is something like story telling - something like an opera, really! The song has great combination of melodies, styles as well as tempos. It flows beautifully from one segment to another even though there are pieces where the transition happen abruptly but they all have been successfully managed by the band to maintain cohesiveness. I would say at track level, this track has a great structural integrity and it fits also with overall album theme.

I can say that the flow of music segments in typical track as well as the movement from one track to another track is excellent and they sound cohesive and successful to create a story telling environment. Therefore I conclude that the flow has proven to be successful in creating great music.

Conclusion

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Yeah, I underestimated this album at first feel about it. The more I spin the CD, the more I find new subtleties which sound wonderful to my ears. That's why I keep spinning this CD many times because I have never gotten bore with the music. No wonder, just before I wrote this review I was in conversation with colleague collaborator (Floyd Wright) who claims that this album is very good. No I understand it very well. Nothing wrong then if I give this album as a masterpiece progressive metal album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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