SECRET OF THE RUNES

This album is a concept album based on nordic tradition. It consists of a prologue, a description of the nine worlds of Yggrasil and an epilogue. Two covers complete the album. Here the classical parts are really emphasized and the metal parts put in the background - strong Richard Wagner influences can be heard - but as a whole I consider this album to be quite disappointing.

The prologue "Ginnungagap" is one of the strong songs on the album - maybe the most metallic. "Midgard" is the highlight of the album - a real anthem of symphonic metal mixing ballad-like tempo and heavier parts - a song that would have perfectly fit on Deggial. "Asgard" is a very simple song - again much heavier than the rest of the album but this time the tempo stays mid-paced for the whole song. "Jotunheim" is a really cheesy song - sounds really pompous - probably the weakest track on the album. On "Schwarzalbenheim" - a very dark song - the Wagner influences are really present (nice song ending). "Ljusalfheim" is a ballad using mostly acoustic guitar - reminds me of Lemuria songs (somewhere between "Quetzalcoatl" and "Arrow from the sun"). "Muspelheim" starts with a cappela chanting and then turns into some medieval speed metal with fast playing violin. "Nifelheim" is a simplistic song - not very original and a bit cheesy again. "Vanaheim" starts with a beautiful string intro, acoustic guitar, then the choir starts to sing and the rhythm speeds up again as always - another Deggial-like song. "Helheim" is again a cheesy song - remove the electric guitar and you're left with Offenbach-like operette. The epilogue "Secret Of The Runes" ends the album a bit like it started - on a heavier note. Ending here, the album would have maybe gotten four stars... but there are the two awful covers left. "Crying Days" (Scorpions cover) and "Summernight City" (Abba cover!) are pure fillers - I don't even understand how they could end on a concept album. The orchestrations here really sound flat and can't enhance the poor quality of the song melodies.

Rating: 72/100