UNDERWORLD

My first impression of Adagio was that the music was so full of good symphonic ideas that it totally rules in this particular style and genre of music! My second impression, Adagio is probably one of the best new Symphonic Prog bands to come out in some time! And my third impression, I bought Adagio's latest album Underworld, and I'll buy the next one blindly.

As for Adagio's 2003 studio release, the album continues where Sanctus Ignus left off. On average, the songs are lengthier, heavier, more complex and full of some very cool little musical moments. At one point, you get the feeling the album is skipping - remember when you use to listen to those scratched vinyl albums - but here, the moment is completely staged by the composer and the bands' performance is exquisitely fine-tuned. There is another moment where Forte performs some "oscillating swells" of arpeggios with his guitar, truly an unbelievable moment. The first 5 minutes of the albums' title track has an allure of a big movie soundtrack until finally, Forte allows you to enter his "underworld"!

What can I say? I submitted a lengthier review of Sanctus Ignis for those of you interested in getting more detailed information, do check that album out. Sanctus Ignis is perhaps an easier album to get into while Underworld is definitely more demanding. It is impossible to be disappointed with the music of Adagio if you enjoy music with Symphonic/Prog/Neo-classical metal influences!

This is the return of the french guitar hero Stéphane Forté

This album is more progressive and symphonic than "Sanctus Ignis". It also sounds darker The tracks are longer, on average over 6:00.

The symphonic passages can remind soundtracks, especially on the beginning of "Underworld". The orchestra is sampled, not the choirs and the piano (brilliantly played by Kevin Codfert, the new keyboardist). The way metal and classical are melted together on this album reveals how Forté is a great compositor. He also proves his guitar skills on the solos (killers!!). I think he doesn't have to envy such guitar heroes as Michael Romeo or John Petrucci.

The songs are very complex and they require many listenings to be caught, but they are worth hearing. The performance of the vocalist David Readman is great. It is pleasant to use a hard rock singer, not a clone of Fabio Leone, it gives more feeling to the songs.

Listening this album, I wonder why Richard Andersson left the band? Why does he prefer to make soulless and low inspired music in Time Requiem?

The only reproach I will make on this record is that the intros on each song are too long.

A very good album. It would be very unfair to reduce Adagio to a clone of Symphony X.

Summary: This is a masterpiece. A perfect blend of prog metal with an agressive edge and classical music. It's really different from bands like Rhapsody who try to create the impression that there is a fully fledged orchestra playing. Although Adagio also do this occasionally, they mainly use piano and strings/synth/effects which create a rich, polyphonic experience. Usually there are one guitar, one pianist and underlying strings - and of course the bass and vocals.

I won't mention each song here - they are all really outstanding, not at all derivative of bands like Symphony X and Dream Theater. Many rhythmic extravaganzas, purely classical piano interludes by maestro Andersson and stunning guitar solos by Mr. Forte. What I like most about this album is the diversity of the songs which at the same time really work as a whole, every little melody seems to be vital, nothing uncalled-for or forced. The vocals are more than a match for the best vocalist of the genre - namely Russell Allen of Symphony X.

The second Adagio album "Underworld" is a good follow-up to the exceptionnal "Sanctus Ignis". Here the songs are longer... but the main difference with its predecessor is the greater complexity and diversity in the songs: more classical interludes, heavier and softer parts ranging from ballad to extreme metal (with even some growled vocals... yes).

The opener "Next Profundis" is classic Adagio: a symphonic intro with a piano interlude, a fast paced power metal melody, kickass guitar solos... and more piano interludes. "Introïtus/Solvet Saeclum In Favilla" starts with the classical choir... and when David Readman starts to sing it's totally flawless, adding power and emotion to the awesome melody. A short piano/organ part introduces the next song "Chosen" - maybe the most emotional song on this album although it's one of the fastest too (the guitar solo for example is surely one of the heaviest on the album). "From My Sleep... To Someone Else" starts in a classic way with a little piano/synth intro, but then... be prepared for something new - a few seconds of death metal growls! (don't fear, the rest of the song is classic Adagio, although it's maybe the heaviest song they ever wrote). The epic title track "Underworld" is THE masterpiece of the album - "Seven Lands Of Sins" was awesome, "Underworld" is simply amazing - a 5 minute intro with the choir, piano and sampled orchestra, and then the classic mid paced symphonic metal - Therion meets Michel Kamen - with softer parts, Queensrÿche like parts, a great guitar solo again and of course the great rock vocals (not mentioning the nice symphonic outro). The next song "Promises" is also something new for Adagio: a ballad - one of those crying songs heavy metal bands are so good at. "The Mirror Stage" is probably the most progressive song on the album - very complex melody and classical interludes, even the death growls make a small return at the end of the song. And what a great way to close the album with the 8 minute instrumental "Niflheim" - a good blend of orchestral passages and guitar performance by Stéphan Forté.

Rating: 96/100 (exceptionnal)

Adagio’s 2nd release „Underworld“ was released in 2003 after a successful debut-album “Sanctus Ignis”. It features 8 tracks (+1 bonus track), which were all written by Mastermind Stephan Forté (music and lyrics) except “Next Profundis” (music by Kevin Codfert and Stephan Forté) and “The Mirror Stage” (lyrics by Bedos). Kevin Codfert, by the way, is the new keyboarder and replaces Richard Anderson.

His work on this album is amazing. I can just advise you to listen to the song “Next Profundis” you can stream above. Right after the fast guitar riff you get a short impression of him. If you pass the great melodies, you will come to a piano solo, a simply audible conversion of a Mozart piece first, an own and fast, Chopin reminding, part next. This is already a great track, just as the others, which are despite the fact that they are a bit more Symphonic, e.g. the next one “Introitus/Solvet Saeclum in Favilla” or the title-track “Underworld” (great Opera-part at the beginning). Each song, except “Promises”, counter-piece, since being a ballad, is a symphonic-metal- track, complex, heavy with great vocals (apart from “Nilfheim”, the only instrumental here), awesome solos, incredible piano-additions and slow/softer passages as well. But anyway it all sounds too similar. The musical quality is great. Each song features amazing and atmospheric melodies, etc. (see above), is varied and brilliantly elaborated. In each part you can find many different lines, which all perfectly support the song. But nevertheless, each song offers the same characteristics, the melodies sound too much the same, may being due to all the harmonic and melodic minor scales, but that doesn’t have to be a matter since you can be very creative with each kind of scale. So counting every song single this would be a masterpiece but regarding it as a whole, this is just a 4-star effort, since it lacks variation, but don’t forget the magnificence of each single song! The lyrics, just to name them, are not bad, but not really creative, a bit cheesy all in all. To name a highlight in this chain of great songs, I would choose “Next Profundis”, “Chosen”, “Underworld” (love the opera part and solo section, especially the Sherinian- sounding keyboard solo) and the ballad “Promises”. To get an impression of Adagio, just listen to “Chosen”. “Next Profundis” will do a fine job too, but I was a bit surprised while listening to the album (I just heard “Next Profundis” at that point in time)!

4/5 great band, definitely worth checking out

My first impression was very good about this band from France. Some great musicians plays with great skill and virtosity. I always like Pink Cream 69, so i like the vocals here, very powerful but in the same time very sad. Amazing musicians, i specialy like the keyboard player Kevin Codfert, a trully good keyboard player, for me very jazz sometime and sometime very speed. The drummer from Elegy is a good one, but not a legend. Two tracks are a bomb in this genre Chosen, with a speedy keys, and Next Profundis. A band that needs attention from you because they deserve it. An album that is a succes in every way.

Progressive Metal with Grandiose Orchestration

This might not be an original idea in terms of musical approach and concept. Someone might claim that the kind of music Adagio plays is pretty similar with Rhapsody or even Symphony X - at least the way lead vocal sings is similar with Russel Allen of Symphony X. But that's not the case of "originality" that I want to talk here. Rather, I would see on the basis of composition (structure, melody, tempo), musicianship, and overall performance. With originality being an "untouched" factor, I can conclude that this album is a masterpiece of neo classical progressive metal. Why do I need to add "neo classical" in here? It's merely due to the fact that the Adagio music is heavily influenced and inspired by classical music. The band states it clearly at the liner notes on inspirations coming from legendary composers. Under this scheme I can see the influence of Yngwie Malmsteen music in this "Underworld" album. It's OK with me on this, especially Adagio raises the bar in their musical standards by advancing the music into the next level.

Oh yes, enjoying this album is like enjoying the music produced during the movie Lord of The Rings plus metal flavor, of course. From the opening track "Next Profundis" you can sense how the band will move forward in its musical journey, combining heavy side of rock music (metal) and orchestration in its best composition - almost perfect! It flows beautifully to next track "Introitus - Solvet Saeclum In Fadilla" (8:14) which introduces great choral line by "Ensemble Vocal De Lyon". It's quite ambitious to combine full choral line, orchestra and power metal with double pedal bass drum. The result is a brilliant music which is very enjoyable and mind boggling. The composition is very tight, supported by high quality vocal by David Readman, filled with stunning guitar fills and riffs by Stéphan Forté - the band's mastermind. The guitar solo part combined with acoustic guitar fills and keyboard work is truly brilliant. Prog metal ruleszzz.!!!

"Chosen" (7:52) proves that the band's existence in prog metal scene has a very strong base. The opening part is a piano work with really touchy melody combined with keyboard which makes up a symphonic style. What follows is a power metal music in fast tempo and it slows down a bit when vocal enters the music. Structurally, this song is relatively complex ( a bit) especially when it is combined with orchestra. Stéphan Forté really wants to prove that Adagio can take up a challenge being a beautifully orchestrated power metal music at par excellent with bands like Rhapsody.

"From My Sleep... To Someone Else" (6:37) takes a deeper classical approach with its colossal opening reminiscent of classical music. The piano work is truly excellent. I think Kevin Codfert is a very talented musician. The music then screams with high register notes in fast tempo and slows down a bit for lyrical part.

The title track "Underworld" (13.25) is another colossal approach suitable for the opening of a movie theater. The opening part creates great nuance that set the whole atmosphere of the song and also the album. It's grandiose and it's great. Having been brought with full orchestration, the band continues with sweet ballad with acoustic guitar as main rhythm section augmented with keyboard under "Promisses" (5:03). This song has a powerful melody. "The Mirror Stage" (6:31) continues the previous style of "Promisses" but this time with heavier style of power metal. The album concludes with an excellent instrumental "Niflheim" (8:10) plus bonus track "Missa Aterna" (6:37).

If you like Symphony X, Rhapsody, Yngwie Malmsteen, there is an excellent opportunity that you might like this album. Overall, this album is very enjoyable and very dynamic in terms of composition and overall performance. It's highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, GW

The combination of symphonic music, the metal and the progressive rock reaching very beautiful shades that almost can be felt in each digital BIT, which offers to us this I magnify disc of progressive very varied but in if more focused to the mentioned Power Progressive Symphonic, where we can be found to bands like Symphony X, Agnus Dei, Akashic, Pagan's Mind and Pain Of Salvation, to mention some, but no is compared to this as far as the mixture of the symphonic sound with the progressive metal, is something that is due to take into account of very serious form. 1, Next Profundis, the sound I could not be more overwhelming from first track, with sound where they show its faculties that are not minimum in the imperceptible thing, is easy to say but it is a great sound that simple. 2, Introïtus/Solvet Saeclum In Favilla, Something simply sublimates that a little to Rhapsody in the disc remembers to me where they are called on to cover of the Italian band Globin, I talk about to Rain Of To Thousand Flames and the rola Queen Of The Dark Horizons, without a doubt also a disc that in a moment will comment, retaking the subject I say to them that simply something fascinating and completely progressive, once it listens to it I did not believe it and it listens to it again. 3, Chosen, This band has a sound that sounds very impressive, is a sound that prevails by the impetus and the musical crudity with which Forté composes that is not bad all the opposite the result are impeccable but even so beautiful. 4, From My Sleep... To Someone Else, the beauty of symphonic music does not have so that to be part of modern music and it is not possible to be mixed with good results, in this piece the band shows the sides of the life, the light and the dark to us, a beautiful interpretation of pianos symphonies and progressive metal. 5, Underworld, Subject of the disc is????????? in Greek which it means feminine badness in and hades in masculine, to the traditional Spanish it would be possible to be said that it is the world beyond our eyes, since Hades is the master of the darknesses, very a well obtained subject of which they become legendary, being a subject that transports to you of emotions to worlds and vice versa. 6, Promises, As not to leave of side the subject and the form in that the album is developed, sad notes of the voices are intoned accompanied by low a melancholic one and cords that requests to you to reflect, are a subject that cannot lack within all prow-metal disc it see to Dream Theater that to many they do not like the calm rolas is until certain inevitable point. 7, The Mirror Stage, This is a subject that presents/displays own dyes of the metaleros, a hard very good subject. 8, Niflheim, This instrumental piece is simply sublime.

Ineteresting band, insteresting music. Not bad, but not excellent. A cross between okay and good. They have technicality. But lack in originality in my opinion. They take influence from the usual Dream Theater and Symphony X. Their keyboards were very unique I'd say that's a strong point. They are unique, but not compelete replicas. That's not what bugged me though, it's a great combination if you like the two bands, and it's good metal for you heavy folks. The transitions in the songs were too frequent to make it sound chaotic and in away, sloppy. Not terribly I say, just no enough for me not to bump the album up to a 4 star rating. 3/5 would do the trick. Good but not essential. They've got talent in their instruments, and the vocalist isn't that bad. You like bands like Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, Pain of Salvation, Kamelot, Dream Theater. Give 'em a try.

POWER AND BEAUTY

Adagio was one of the first Progressive Metal bands I've ever heard, in fact this was the first album I've listened from them and the sensation after doing this was very pleasant, since unlikely to Dream Theater, which owns a much more fusion oriented influence, Adagio possesses more symphonic elements, adding orchestrations with a lot of classical influences. The complexity can be found on every moment without losing any power, which is uniform through the whole album during all its intricate passages. By the way, this was Adagio's last "semi-heavy" work, because their next studio release "Dominate" has a Technique Death Metal orientation including heavy voices and growls in a very Opeth style but conserving the symphonic-classical school.

Every single member explodes their capacity, from the voice to the drums the sound is very consistent, impressing, focused and prefect to the limit.

The whole effort, every single track is a high-quality piece, but "Next Profundis", "Chosen" and "Underworld" are real highlights because of their master performance. Promises is also a very emotive song transmitted through David Readman's voice.

As Progressive Metal fans as Symphonic Prog fans will enjoy this magnificent release, since it soars under any musical border, this is one of the most important albums in Progressive Metal not under any of its masterpieces. It deserves 5 stars without a doubt.

Adagio is a French prog metal band that is appreciated by many but I can't say I share the enthusiasm. The album "Underworld" combines metal with some orchestral flourishes. The compositions are long and complex. The guitarist is something of a Malmsteen virtuoso with lightning note solos. The vocals are a bit gravelly and in the upper register. The orchestral embellishments are very nice where they occur.

My problem with the album is two-fold. First, the drumming is the kind of mechanical blast drumming that is so static throughout this album that it completely destroys any interest I have in what else is happening. Sure the guy has talent, but the style is not interesting or articulate musically when you have such metronomic playing to the forefront in the mix for 70 minutes. I'd like some variety and some nuance to go along with the speed and attitude. I also felt that the ideas ran a bit short for such a long album. By the end things are all starting to sound the same. My favorite track was the instrumental "Niflheim" which seemed to have the most variety and the best guitar work.

The CD booklet includes full lyrics. Give it a shot if you like the symphonic metal combination AND the kind of drumming described above. Or better yet try a Therion album which inhabits a close musical neighborhood to this but succeeds much better with less flash and tastier melodic textures not smothered by drumming quicksand. A decent but flawed album in my opinion.

Adagio is a great band that is very reminiscent to Symphony X, but with a more classical feel to their music. The songs are incredibly complex, intrincate (and well structured songs), and it actually took some time to grow on me and get complete enjoyment of the album. The atmospheres are dark and sad, and there are more keys than on SX. On the other hand, the guitarist, Stephan Forte, is amazing, VERY influenced by shredders in the vein of Romeo (what a coincidence, you know), Malmsteen, Macalpine, and similars. His solos are actually very imaginative, and undoubtly he has a talent.

The best tracks are the first three and the epic Underworld. Though it gets a bit cheesy at moments, some heaviness, thrash metal riffs solve the things out. Very good album.

Rating: 4.0/5

I knew some other band mixing classical music and metal (HAGGARD, THERION, PAR LINDH PROJECT), but this one is specially good in mixing these two main source of inspiration in a balanced and unique blend. Melodies are complex, sometimes purely classical (great piano moments), others close to Power Metal, dissonant or easier to access, but never boring. The best moments for me is when the piano enrich the drum/guitar metal base, with other classical instruments/sounds (voices, clarinet, violins, orchestra...) I agree with others that drums are a bit weaker: typical Metal(ic) sound where more clear and natural sound would make it perfect. Also if drums are sometimes rather simple and repetitive, the mood and melodic changes helps to forget this weakness.

This Adagio album is the last to feature David Readman, who is my favorite vocalist for the group. Likewise, it was the last appearance of Dirk Bruinenberg, the drummer.

This album succeeds in creating a mysterious, bleak atmosphere, yet all the while remaining beautiful. The orchestra lends grandiose and majesty while not remaining overused. The guitar solos are executed well and highly technical, yet not to an obnoxious extreme. The keyboards are delivered brilliantly by my favorite keyboardist, Kevin Codfert, and add an entirely new dimension to the music. Franck Hermanny's bass, while not very audible, shines when it can be heard.

The music flows well from track to track, and the band shines on every one of them. This album is very good and is one of the better neo-classical prog metal albums out there.

Headbanging in a pirate shirt.

Yep, just like the one Bach wore on his paintings with the puffy sleeves and the cauliflower on the neck. On the more serious side, Adagio is offering a nice (but too sparse) blend of baroque and roll. The keyboard player is giving his share of harpsicord and the impressive choir is giving a zest of gothic impression in an album that doesn't really part from your typical metal band. The singer is howling to the moon, the double bass drum is almost always present and the guitars are vertiginous but non-surprising. They have talent, oh yeah.

The only thing that drawed me to this album was the reviews saying 'it's a blend of classical music and metal'. It is, but not enough to give a deep impression. Try it, you probably will like it if you're looking for something melodious, catchy and loud. I just love the blend of classical music and metal, I think it's such a killer approach. But to me the classical vein should've been more exploited; they had something going on some tracks!

Good but needs more cowbell.

The codex of neo-classical style of progressive metal

This album is a masterpiece for the band Adagio, their best album in many aspects. It is sure a great work of composition and recording. The leader of Adagio, Stephan Forte, went in Lyon (France) to record the choir for the album, to give more credit to the project of creating the ultimate symphonic metal album. Every music contains what you here in every other contemporaneous band, intro with strings, long organ bridges, solos of electric guitar and keyboard (don't forget it was made in 2003). Unfortunately, even if the listening of the album gives you a good feeling, every song took apart are not as memorable as the ensemble. There are melodies that drive the song all the way to the end. You find parts of Keyboard/guitar/bass shredding for the sake of shredding and, I'm starting to get sick of these parts...

So a Masterpiece for Adagio, for the progressive rock collection, but sometimes it looses its way with demonstration of technical virtuosity. So it is not a masterpiece of prog music because every master has its balance between virtuosity demonstration and musicality.

To conclude it worth at least one listening to make up your mind if you're a fan of symphonic metal. Underworld is a excellent addition to any collection

Adagio's Underworld is a very tasty and crunchy blend of progressive and power metal underlined with strong influences from classical music. Although it does not bring anything new on the table what hasn't been invented yet, the design and execution is far beyond anything average in this symphony/progressive metal echelon.

The voice fits the pompeous and epic nature well. Guitars sound aggressive enough just to bend down in classical suites and even switch to acoustic guitars in a few moments. Comparing to some other progressive symphonic metal bands such as Symphony X, keyboards play a more dominant role and playing chops are at the same level as guitar shredding by Stephan Forte. The first album featuring a different keyboards already showed that all band members should be taken seriously. Various keyboards including piano, synths, and organs can be found here. Classical instrumentation is delicate and allows to breath out from heavier moments. The compositions are complex, versatile and verse from easily accessible to very pompous and complex arrangements. Yes, the band can be compared to Symphony X and there are many things in common but Adagio is more symphonic and has more balanced sound. With regards to vocals, I still prefer the rough voice of Symphony X.

This album can hold well on its own and is rightfully one of the best and most ambitious work in progressive symphonic metal.