Time Requiem - Unleashed In Japan

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Avalon
Catalog Number: 10394
Format: CD
Total Time: 60:12:00

Marcel reviewed both Unleashed In Japan and The Inner Circle Of Reality in the same review; they are listed here separately -ed

The tallest keyboard player in the metal world, Richard Andersson, treats us with not one, but two releases in just two months time! In March the live album Unleashed In Japan was released, an album recorded during the Japanese tour in 2003 of Time Requiem and at the end of April, the second studio album of Time Requiem saw the light of day: The Inner Circle Of Reality. Powerful neo-classical power metal with power vocals. The line up of Time Requiem features some excellent talents, such as Peter Wildoer (drums), Magnus Nord (guitars) and Apollo Papathanasio (vocals), all from Majestic, Andersson's previous band, and Dick Lövgren (ex- In Flames and Arch Enemy) on bass, although on the current (2004) line up, Flower Kings members Jonas Reingold (bass) and Zoltan Csörsz (drums) joined in.

The press release said on The Inner Circle Of Reality: "This time Andersson was looking for something new and fresh." "Time Requiem promise you a record that will not be a disappointment for any true Metal lover." On Unleashed In Japan it said: "Maybe the best neo-classical album ever." Such statements set the bar pretty high for a band. Well, musically the sound stands like a rock: Fast, aggressive rhythm section and crunchy guitars, all mixed with great keys. Vocals are powerful, but present my first problem with both albums: vocalist Apollo Papathanasio sounds very similar to Russell Allen (Symphony X), only Allen has more power in his voice. Unfortunately it does not end there ... the entire sound of both albums is too similar to Symphony X, which disappointed me very much.

Excellent musicians and obviously a very good composer, but no fresh and new sound! The live album is really good, the band plays very tight and the audience loves it. And no, it is not an exact copy of the SyX sound, but just too similar. The same goes for The Inner Circle Of Reality: great songs, recognizable sound. Fortunately here are a few songs that show they are capable of their own sound: "Definition Of Insanity" has some insane drums, keys and crunchy guitars in the intro, which give it a whole different sound. Also "Quest Of A Million Souls" sounds fairly in the better direction, as Papathanasio sounds less as Russell Allen. Of course closing track "Back Prelude Variations" is nice ... short, but nice ... maybe more of this next time?

They have plenty of elements of their own, but not enough to make me forget SyX. I do hope the next Time Requiem album will truly be fresh and different from what they have done so far.

[This review originally appeared April 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Time Requiem (with intro) / Watching The Tower Of Skies / I'll Shoot The Moon / Approaching The Storm / The Aphorism / Milagros Charm / Visions Of New Dawn / Above & Beyond / Voodoo Treasure

Musicians:
Richard Andersson - keyboards
Peter Wildoer - drums
Magnus Nord - guitars
Apollo Papthanasio - vocals
Dick L?vgren - bass
Jonas Reingold - bass
Zoltan Cs?rsz - drums

Discography:
Time Requiem (2003)
Unleashed In Japan (2004)
The Inner Circle Of Reality (2004)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: January 1st 2005
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.anderssonmusic.com
Hits: 2685
Language: english