3 Classic Symphonic Metal Gems
After Forever, Epica & Therion
Songs 83-85
These 3 bands have made quite an impact in the genre of Symphonic Metal and also on me and my desire to search out more great music. It would be quite simple to pick one of these 3 bands and basically go through all of their catalogs and point out great music. I really dont wish for that to be the theme or format of my blog. I am still continuing in the footsteps of my bookmarks, which at this point are well dated and provide a great timeline and one (or more) fantastic playlists.As a fan that is first beginning to learn a bands' discography, the discovery mode is a very exciting time. I wish I had a found, during this period of time a blog such as mine, one that pointed out great moments and gift wrapped song after song to discover. As I was learning more about these 3 bands and their great history and certainly their influence on bands to later follow, I was beginning to see what really still sets them apart from the rest of the pack, and it was quite evident early in their catalogs. Let me introduce to you, three classic and pivotal moments from 3 very classic bands. Three more gems I added to my Endless Search and on my way to Song 100.
[Note: Yes I do know that bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation and The Gathering predate Epica and After Forever, I say this now because the same people who point this out to me are the same ones who dont know Therion predates even those bands. /end]
After Forever - Leaden Legacy (NL, 2000 Symphonic Metal)
From their debut disc Prisoner of Desire. This is actually part I of a story Arc "The embrace that smothers" by Mark Jansen, who would later add parts to this story arc in Epica (after he left After Forever). After a slow build up with a phantom-esque melody, Floor begins to show off her ridiculous range and ability just as the first staccato chorus kicks in. This balance between a classical sound, symphony instruments, true operatic lines and musicians who can truly write metal songs working together as a formula was beginning to take shape here. Done so differently than as Nightwish had, even taking some of the ambiance and intent of Therion, songs like this on their debut in 2000 really was quite a feat for it to be so accessible.
After Forever makes my listings here often, I recommend to follow the links on the side for more great moments.
Epica - Menace of Vanity (NL 2007, Symphonic Metal)
Right at the start, Epica shows what it means to mix operatic bombast and very fast, power-metal inspired riffs. The staccato double bass melody is still classically inspired yet does it in a heavy-metal mentality. The amount of key changes and transpositions would be enough to give you the idea that this band is quite serious in its intent. You get the powerful mix of grunt vocals and operatic choir all the way through the song as it works its way through a variety of fast, rapid-fire phrasings.
Not till the 3:00 mark do you get a stoppage, albeit briefly, only to build back again. The main riff although repeated often, is unique enough, even in this wide landscape of symphonic metal - to keep you humming and headbanging along. In a way, this is a great example of why I refer to Epica as "the most accessible" band in the genre. Follow more links to great songs by Epica on the side panel. Also worthy of note, is this straight-forward approach reminds me of other classics from Therion, speaking of which....
Therion - Sons of the Staves of Time (SWE, 2007 Symphonic Metal)
I do go through periods where I just simply click every song I have from Therion and sit back and enjoy. There is something I find that separates them from the pack. Taking this song as an example of a classic Therion song may get me in trouble, as its on the Gothic Kabbalah disc. I almost truly cringe when anybody not named Eldritch uses the term "Gothic" when applied to well, just about anything. I feel there might be some of that backlash also applied to Therion in this time period for that namesake albulm. But words have double meanings and labels are only sown in. Ignoring what/who/is this Gothic conversation, I am placing this song here, as it sits among my bookmarks approaching song 100. This is a special time frame for me as I was burying myself deeper into catalogs and weeding out weaker songs from my playlists.
So as I started out, Therion is one of those few bands I feel have something special, which is the ability to take you off into a journey, one that is separate, almost by itself, even when listening to a group of songs that are similar by other bands. Every song basically stands out, even though they were much further ahead of all the other bands I listen to.
To me this is one of their more overlooked songs, a simple format of powerful verses and a choir-like chorus broken apart by a quiet breakdown of operatic vocals before we get to the solo, which is quite epic all on its own. At some point, you can start to notice all the pieces and how deliberate they are and well how they go together.From the drum fills, the chromatic chord changes in the scale, its all executed perfectly. Therion has always been a band of great musicians and vocalists, which this song is a perfect example of, which makes it a classic.
Read my synopsis on Therion (previous posting: Getting Into Mega-Therion)
Next Update: Female Voices Make Their Mark
