VOVIN

And of course, here is where Christopher Johnsson reached his true personality both in compositions and in arrangements... Because Vovin is almost a solo album. Johnsson is the only important link between Theli and Vovin, and so is demonstrated that he is the true soul of the band, the man behind the project is Johnsson himself... And he took the direction of the band masterfully, making an elegant album, full with incredible melodies, and with a perfect sound. Vovin is, in my opinion, the confirmation of symphonic metal as true genre, and it maybe surpases almost all the albums from this style I've heard.

The mood of this music is different in comparision with Theli... Vovin is less classic heavy metal, and it has less from the 80's influence of the previous (and wonderful) effort, although the 70's feeling of some tracks is still here (Clavicula Nox is similar of The Siren of the Woods in style, and both tracks have some 70's feeling...) But like I said, this album is less heavy, and much more symphonic. The speed of the tracks is slow, with a pair of exceptions, and the mood is pretty melancholic, in contrast with the more epic Theli. But with this elements, Johnsson achieved to make a very original album, even more than the seminal Theli... The obvious influences are gone, and here we have a pure and new thing. Vovin is just unique, and it confirmed Therion like one of the most genuine and influential bands in metal.

Another good fact of this album, is it's variety... More homogene than Theli, OK, but it never gets boring. The album starts with and epic hymn (The Fall os Sodom and Gomorrah), then it becomes symphonic hard rock (Birth of Venus Illegitima), then comes the heavy metal mixed with some power metal (Wine of Alluqah), and after that, the 70's acoustic oriented sounds (Clavicula Nox) gives way to the speed metal track The Wild Hunt... And this is the constant evolution of this album, full with variety, imagination and really awesome music.

Best tracks: all of them... But I specially like Wine of Alluqah (the final power metal part gives me goosegumps...), Clavicula Nox (great dark riffing, and great acoustics...), the Draconian Trilogy, and of course, the best song of this album is Raven of Dispersion (I just love the odd guitars in the verses before the chorus, and the incredibly beautiful ending)

Conclusion: Vovin is maybe the best symphonic metal album I've heard to date... A masterpiece with marvellous sound, great arrangements, and clever compositions. The music is never overproduced or too full with instruments... Just guitars, bass, powerful drumming, strings, and operistic voices. And with this elements Johnsson created the true birth of the Therion style, and the confirmation of symphonic metal like a new way of making music... And what a wonderful way! Strongly recommended.

My rating: *****

Share this THERION review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to The Crow
• Report this review (#180548)
• Buy THERION music online with PA partners
• Show all THERION MP3/Stream
• Go to THERION page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Vovin page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THERION related discussions