LEMURIA

This time, the band used a huge orchestra - instruments and singers - so 171 people were involved in the making of the album. This resulted in a very symphonic album - the most complete work to date from the band. "Lemuria" is the first part of a double album and contains 10 songs (of the 55 written by the band since "Secret of the runes"). Though it is undoubtely more diverse than its twin "Sirius B", I tend to prefer the latter.

"Typhon" starts with the choir, but then you can hear something that Therion didn't do since "Symphony Masses": Christoffer Johnsson using extreme vocals! Nicely thought for a catchy song like this one. "Uthark Runa" is awesome: the full power of the choir and the orchestra is used here and a great performance by singer Mats Leven. "Three Ships Of Berik" is a very happy song - very operatic - but with extreme vocals again on Part I: "Calling To Arms And Fighting The Battle" (personally, I would have prefered clean vocals on this song). The title track is a ballad with great vocals from former drummer Piotr Wawrzeniuk. "Quetzalcoatl" is sung in spanish - the melody is a bit cheesy here. "The Dreams Of Swedenborg" is another mellow track with Piotr Wawrzeniuk on vocals. "An Arrow From The Sun" sees the return of the cheesy melody before the classic Therion song "Abraxas" - great solo from female solo vocalist accompanied with good guitar work. "Feuer Overtüre/Prometheus Entfesselt" is sung in german - one of those songs that have the "Secret of the runes" feeling with more male vocals in the choir and a darker melody.

Rating: 88/100