UNDERWORLD

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.