DEGGIAL

After hearing so much ABOUT them I decided to investigate the band for myself. 'Deggial' seemed as good a place as any to start. The opening track 'Seven secrets of the sphinx' has become a favourite of mine recently. I love the operatic/symphonic feel. Reminds me of some Nightwish and Epica. A mid-tempo track but still rousing at full volume,just ask my neighbours. 'Eternal Return' starts off in a very sombre,almost funereal mood. At almost seven minutes long it only ups the pace in the last minute or so. This track might not encourage you to listen on, but the third, 'Enter Vril-Ya' is definitely better. A nice driving tempo,good drums and over the top female operetta,what more could you ask for? The title track 'Deggial' is not as strong as the opener, and the album should have been called 'Seven secrets' in my opinion. If your first experience of this album is 'The flight of the lord of the flies' you may well dismiss this album as a mish-mash of ideas. 'Flesh of the Gods' sounds in parts like the Scorpions meets Nightwish. Is that Klaus Meine on vocals? 'O Fortuna' by Orff is stunning in its original form. This track was MADE for Therion and should have been better. However, something was missing and an opportunity lost for a climactic finale. Make your own mind up,give it a listen,but I wanted to like this album more. It's certainly ambitious.Three and a half stars.