WAR OF THE JEWELS

AINUR is an Italian group known personally since 2008, a group of 18 members who are inspired by the writings of TOLKIEN including the "Silmarillion" to compose around heroic fantasy and rock opera, indeed epic. Compositions that took them many years and that resonate with AYREON, bombastic opera, a bit of BLIND GUARDIAN, SYMPHONY X, RHAPSODY, LABYRINTH, medieval and Celtic atmospheres, symphonic prog with keyboards orchestral and Moog, various voices recited, whispered, spoken, opera voice; the instruments start on prog metal with frenzied solos, neo-classical metal in my opinion far from conventional RPI.

"Fate Disclosed" and the intro narrative of Ted the official designer, discordant sounds to dive into the AINUR tavern. "Wars Of Beleriand" follows with a very nervous prog metal intro, a good riff, flute, melodic atmosphere tinged with various moments; the only instrumental that delves deeper into the universe. "Hell of Iron" for the 1st song sung; it starts with melodic metal with progressive drifts just for verbal jousting that can remind those of AYREON; the riff is almost done in the AOR and then comes back to a SYMPHONY X aria, in short, it hits the mark anyway. "Wars Begin" and an old-fashioned intro that opens onto a rhyme-ballad, symbolizing the calm before the storm; it evolves on a prog metal rhythm all at once with forward synths and a vocal match, a plus for these worked voices. "Kinslaying (The First)" and a second narration by Ted leading to a folklore-medieval variation where the female voice is highlighted, a long crescendo on yet another warrior joust, a smooth vocal final. "Grinding Ice" and a redundant title on a musical and verbal chord, you have to wait for the break to have a Celtic, tribal, folkloric and Tolkienian space; grandiloquence is the right word.

"Battle Under The Stars" and an intro where Derek SHERINIAN's paw is felt; the rhythm starts off with oriental tones, Luca's violin takes center stage, the sequence is interesting because it is short but condensed, the finale with guitar solo and the synth which celebrate the victory of the Elves is worth the detour. "Spirit Of Fire" with the contribution of the voice of Roberto TIRANTI and Ted at the opening; the flagship track, about Fëanor the mighty elf at the center of the plot; an explosive track with riffs, melancholy, progression and melting pot between instruments and vocals; the divine flute surrounded by choirs puts a singular folk meditative accent on this piece which passes very quickly, a sign. "The Broidress" follows with Celtic flute and soft, divine voice, a Tolkian ballad to rest from these various musical fights but not from the fatal childbirth of Miriel. And finally comes "The Great Battle (Or The War Of Wrath)" which attacks with the cult track, a nod to "From Ancient Times" for the quote; piano and voice almost whispered to KWOON then it rises with the contribution of Roberta and Elena, vocals reminding me on a few notes of the legendary QUEEN; it goes up again, a nervous riff, the drums getting into it, the violin adding more, the guitar riff becoming the rhythmic basis, memories on the SYMPHONY X of "Twilight In Olympus"; an uphill title with beautiful drawers. "Apocalypse" to end this long album with a slightly repeated variation, an epic title repeated acoustically on the digital version that I preferred, the violin more present and changing from the rhythm used in the long run; the war against the Dark Lord is finally over and Middle-earth can now focus on a new beginning.

AINUR is therefore releasing a stronger thematic album, faster, higher, more metal in fact; the meeting between complex and classical prog metal; an album more provided in progressive variations than its predecessors, more complex too. An album a bit messy on the other hand and a length which can tire out; an album to be incorporated in several times ?, an album which nevertheless gives in the grandiloquence of prog metal opera and which changes a little with this singular classical instrumentation.