So, recently I uncovered a pretty unknown album called "Genius: A Rock Opera".
Researching further I found out that it was in three parts. I got the first episode and got pretty addicted to it. After a while I got episode two, and got even more addicted into these amazing albums. Well, lo and behold what popped through my door today:
Yes, I now have the entire trilogy and as such, I am going to write a very long review as I listen to all four hours of this marathon rock opera from start to finish. 33 songs, 11 on each episode.
Just a bit of background, this is written by Danieli Liverani, a relatively unknown guitarist who has been in a band called Empty Tremor. Here he is:
Throughout the three episodes the following people appear:
Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, ex-Empire)
Lana Lane
Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger)
Steve Walsh (Kansas, Explorers Club)
Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation, Crypt of Kerberos)
Midnight (ex-Crimson Glory)
John Wetton
Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance, Aina, as guest in Avantasia, Empty Tremor & Iron Mask)
Joe Vana
Philip Bynoe (Ring of Fire)
Edu Falaschi (Angra, ex- Symbols, Mitrium, Venus)
My main reason for finding it was that Daniel Gildenlow was in it.
As episode one opens up the narrator speaks about Genius, the main protagonist of the story. It revolves around a dream he has that lasts about 30 minutes (but yet we have 4 hours worth of music to get through). What you find is that the narrator tells you the story at the start and end of every song, it does make sure you keep track of what is happening so you can get into it more.
From the first guitars on the first song, (which stretches for 12 minutes), you can hear good metal. You can't tell too much of the power metal that will soon become prominent throughout the entire trilogy.
Around 3 minutes into the first song you get the vocals, Genius, this is where the story starts to unfold. I like the vocals, very power metal'ish but they are still good, you can listen to them for a long period of time without getting bored.
The song continues to build up climatically until you get some cool synth / drums stuff near the end, it gets faster and you just feel like "yes, this is some damn good music".
Not the entire rock opera is power metal, although it has some very fast paced songs, there are some calmer ones on the Episodes, such as this one, song 2, "The Right Place". Calmer, good.
Song #4 has an amazing guitar opening 30 seconds.
#6 is just an awesome song. One of my favourites on Episode I.
Skip on a couple more songs and you get to the one that hooked me and made me start to really like this album, "There's A Human". You should all have heard this song by now. This is my 10th listen to it now according to itunes.
The album continues on and is pretty damn good, only thing I hate is that at the end the narrator has to say "TO BE CONTINUED..." A bit annoying, but not enough to not hear these albums.
Episode II starts with clocks, as time is running out (or so our narrator tells us).
The second has less power metal overall than that of episode 1, but I think it is more musically diverse. It has more things to like. More things to sing to. It is still pretty much power metal though, so if you are expecting something completely different then I'd look elsewhere.
First song is 9:25 long. That's one thing you'll find with each song, they last a fair length.
Not really much to review about Episode 2. It's much of the same apart from with more variance. Still a lot of power metal and awesome mixed with power and EPIC FURY. More calm songs though, "To Be Free" has beautiful female vocals with a piano background.
Final song on Episode II is mainly Daniel Gildenlow singing and he really is superb in the role of "Twinspirt 32". After "Scarsick" I lost a bit of respect for his singing, but old Pain of Salvation albums, and now this trilogy, have pulled me back up again.
So, Episode III begins. This is my first listen of it. Bit of a synth filled beginning, build up with narrator as per the other Episodes. Shortest song time for a start song at 7:30.
Ok, I don't know if it's because I've been listening to him for almost 4 hours, or because of other reasons, but I am not finding Episode III to be the best. So I'll just finish the review here. Overall opinion:
Amazing trilogy of albums. Get if you like power metal.
In my opinion: Episode II > Episode I > Episode III.
P.S. The 3 albums are available to download in this thread, just find them.
Researching further I found out that it was in three parts. I got the first episode and got pretty addicted to it. After a while I got episode two, and got even more addicted into these amazing albums. Well, lo and behold what popped through my door today:
Yes, I now have the entire trilogy and as such, I am going to write a very long review as I listen to all four hours of this marathon rock opera from start to finish. 33 songs, 11 on each episode.
Just a bit of background, this is written by Danieli Liverani, a relatively unknown guitarist who has been in a band called Empty Tremor. Here he is:
Throughout the three episodes the following people appear:
Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, ex-Empire)
Lana Lane
Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger)
Steve Walsh (Kansas, Explorers Club)
Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation, Crypt of Kerberos)
Midnight (ex-Crimson Glory)
John Wetton
Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance, Aina, as guest in Avantasia, Empty Tremor & Iron Mask)
Joe Vana
Philip Bynoe (Ring of Fire)
Edu Falaschi (Angra, ex- Symbols, Mitrium, Venus)
My main reason for finding it was that Daniel Gildenlow was in it.
As episode one opens up the narrator speaks about Genius, the main protagonist of the story. It revolves around a dream he has that lasts about 30 minutes (but yet we have 4 hours worth of music to get through). What you find is that the narrator tells you the story at the start and end of every song, it does make sure you keep track of what is happening so you can get into it more.
From the first guitars on the first song, (which stretches for 12 minutes), you can hear good metal. You can't tell too much of the power metal that will soon become prominent throughout the entire trilogy.
Around 3 minutes into the first song you get the vocals, Genius, this is where the story starts to unfold. I like the vocals, very power metal'ish but they are still good, you can listen to them for a long period of time without getting bored.
The song continues to build up climatically until you get some cool synth / drums stuff near the end, it gets faster and you just feel like "yes, this is some damn good music".
Not the entire rock opera is power metal, although it has some very fast paced songs, there are some calmer ones on the Episodes, such as this one, song 2, "The Right Place". Calmer, good.
Song #4 has an amazing guitar opening 30 seconds.
#6 is just an awesome song. One of my favourites on Episode I.
Skip on a couple more songs and you get to the one that hooked me and made me start to really like this album, "There's A Human". You should all have heard this song by now. This is my 10th listen to it now according to itunes.
The album continues on and is pretty damn good, only thing I hate is that at the end the narrator has to say "TO BE CONTINUED..." A bit annoying, but not enough to not hear these albums.
Episode II starts with clocks, as time is running out (or so our narrator tells us).
The second has less power metal overall than that of episode 1, but I think it is more musically diverse. It has more things to like. More things to sing to. It is still pretty much power metal though, so if you are expecting something completely different then I'd look elsewhere.
First song is 9:25 long. That's one thing you'll find with each song, they last a fair length.
Not really much to review about Episode 2. It's much of the same apart from with more variance. Still a lot of power metal and awesome mixed with power and EPIC FURY. More calm songs though, "To Be Free" has beautiful female vocals with a piano background.
Final song on Episode II is mainly Daniel Gildenlow singing and he really is superb in the role of "Twinspirt 32". After "Scarsick" I lost a bit of respect for his singing, but old Pain of Salvation albums, and now this trilogy, have pulled me back up again.
So, Episode III begins. This is my first listen of it. Bit of a synth filled beginning, build up with narrator as per the other Episodes. Shortest song time for a start song at 7:30.
Ok, I don't know if it's because I've been listening to him for almost 4 hours, or because of other reasons, but I am not finding Episode III to be the best. So I'll just finish the review here. Overall opinion:
Amazing trilogy of albums. Get if you like power metal.
In my opinion: Episode II > Episode I > Episode III.
P.S. The 3 albums are available to download in this thread, just find them.
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