BLACK OPERA

This is progressive opera. Compared to the Ayreon's "Human equation" album, this album is darker, much more floating and atmospheric (the keyboards are not vintage), and more opera oriented. The excellent female lead vocals remind me Kate Bush. The guitar is almost metal, but never irritating, with many solos, and the omnipresent dark keyboards give something really dramatic and intimidating to the whole. The keyboards exploration is interesting, and it is also the case for the numerous piano parts. The album focuses on keyboards, lead vocals and guitars. I find the bass a bit shy and not enough elaborated. The drums are sometimes repetitive, but I guess it goes well with the style. It explains why the rhythm is mainly slow. It certainly takes more than one listening to really appreciate this record.