THE CRUCIBLE

"Ichor" and the sound of AYREON, big prog metal with the recognizable voice of DC Cooper; SHADOW GALLERY tune for the orchestration and melodic choirs, the tone of a neo-classical MEAT LOAF, progressive mid-tempo. "Legion Program" spatial instrumental interval with its electric guitar coulis launching "I Am God" for Niklas' heavy pads reinforcing the melodic metal; a violin accentuates the opera metal tune with a Solomon supposed to save our world with AI. The gothic anthem emerges from it for a while before the classical guitar solo. "Golden Crown" acoustic guitar at the start before the rise merging metal and baroque opera. The stripped-down piano break, the acoustic guitar, various choirs, the female vocals, everything overlaps. The medieval tune with Lee against DC; a pleasant whiff of AVANTASIA emerges. "The Crucible" arrives with Michael on vocals, solemn, pompous, enhanced by Mark's drums. AYREON-style metal for the powerful, catchy and evolving side; the rhythm guitar amplifies the base while the lead guitar brings the heavy breaks, Gary's keyboards eyeing SHADOW GALLERY. A complex title that seems shattered but brings a serene power to this musical fresco. "Two Witnesses" with a stunning melodic intro sliding on a solemn piano arpeggio; plaintive vocals, invasive vocals with the feminine first; the air advances like a saturated torrent, it swirls symphonically speaking, it is worthy of a musical velvety. Halfway through and the guitar solo, collapsing on a latent moment worthy of IRON MAIDEN. The heavy riff goes on wild musical knots, the tempo swells, Gary letting his fingers loose on the guitar and keyboards; a hard 80s sound arrives before going solo; return to the grandiloquent chorus.

"Change of Heart Pt. 1" concept sequence of the album; futuristic cinematic intro with siren noises; voices dialogue on a symphonic and majestic air. The US hard prog in filigree; dynamic, rhythmic, heavy, uncompromising heavy metal opera that does not hesitate to lay down its scales becoming punchy rock, avoiding the machine-gunning of notes. A modern melody with a rhythmic keyboard embellished with moving choirs. "Ultimatum" with a heavy, heavy air, between SHADOW GALLERY, AYREON, HAMMERFALL and ROYAL HUNT, a zest of PRETTY MAIDS; big classical orchestration with this strong text to pull or not the trigger. "We Are Weak" interlude with notes coming from an old wooden piano, a music box. The orchestration is Dantesque, medieval, folkloric, with a flight of violins and the cinematic air of 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. Between neo and prog metal ultimately atypical. "Small Price to Pay" heavy calibrated air with the pregnant synth and a vocal duet between DC and Christian; consensual Hollywood metal with a cinematic finale. "Change of Heart Pt. 2" follows with a dreamlike introduction, guitar and divine piano. Lee poses a sound of AMBEON, slow and airy of a musical comedy; drum roll becoming nervous, the guitar which looks at those of SHADOW GALLERY. The melody goes on oriental paths with a fat synth. The harpsichord break, violin, baroque spirit, latency, grandiloquence then Lee's charming voice on the percussive and angelic finale. Wind, a cinematic rumble launching "The Book of Life" with the imposing church organ. Medieval acoustic guitar, romantic ballad with its rise leaning on MOSTLY AUTUMN. The Floydian guitar solo with the spleen feeling of fallen angels. Vocal duet with melodic, charming, invasive guitars. The voices add the grandiloquent lyricism ending in a capella. Originally on ProfilProg.