Latest News

Message
  • Error. Feed not retrieved.
Xystus - Equilibrio

1.    Equilibrio Overture
2.    Act 1 Sc. 1: My Song of Creation
3.    Act 1 Sc. 3: The Traveller
4.    Act 1 Sc. 5: Last Breath
5.    Act 1 Sc. 6: Divided We Stand
6.    Act 1 Sc. 8: The Conflict
7.    Act 2 Sc. 1: Destiny Unveiled
8.    Act 2 Sc. 3: My Time of Need
9.    Act 2 Sc. 4: Forever Bound
10.  Act 2 Sc. 5: The Message
11.  Act 2 Sc. 6: Balance Restored
12.  Act 2 Sc. 7: God of Symmetry

Dutch metallers Xystus have decided to compose a concept album, branding it a ‘rock opera’, much like Avantasia, True Symphonic Rockestra and fellow countryman Ayreon. However, this album is more ambitious in that it employs the talent of the US Concert Orchestra and it was an actual theatrical production performed in the Netherlands.

‘Equilibrio’ is a symphonic progressive metal piece, imbued with classical music references constantly (hardly surprising considering the addition of the orchestra and a 30-piece choir). The album is not actually the entire production but just a selection, which raises the question: what was left off the disc and why? The mood of the album is an adventurous one, multi-dimensional and dynamic, highlighted with ‘The Traveller’. Dreamy passages permeate the music effectively, for instance on ‘The Conflict’.

The primary draw-backs of this release are the lack of complete variation. After the first few songs, the listener knows precisely what to expect. For a progressive band, the drumming is rather mediocre with real spice only manifesting on the closing track, ‘God of Symmetry’. Some of the heavier moments on ‘Equilibrio’ feel forced and needless, but over all this release is worth checking out more so by symphonic metallers than proggers, especially with the appearance of Epica vocalist Simone Simmons who sounds more sophisticated on this release than on previous compositions.

 


Reviewed by Elena Francis
‘Equilibrio’ is out now through The Laser’s Edge.

  







7
Comments (0)add
Write comment
smaller | bigger

security image
Write the displayed characters


busy