THERION “Sirius B” /Deluxe Edition Slipcase CD/

Debut DVD by the legendary Swedish Symphonic Metal band.
The amount of content that Christofer Johnsson & Co. managed to fit into this DVD is simply amazing. From the very early days of the band, straight to their most recent offerings, "Celebrators Of Becoming" pretty much covers everything you could possibly ask for as a Therion fan.
Disc 1 is obviously the center piece of the package and contains a 2 hour live show recorded in Mexico, in 2004. Sound and audio are of the highest caliber and in contrary to many other music DVDs, the editing spares you the annoyance caused by quirky cuts and spastic camera movements. It is a well-shot and hugely enjoyable piece of work, with a superb setlist and a band that is obviously enjoying itself without end, and that is putting on an absolutely top performance.
Disc 2 covers the period between 2004 and 2005 and gives an excellent impression of Therion in a variety of different countries. Presented as a huge world map from which you can separately select each clip on offer. Most of what is on offer here is obviously bootleg quality, filmed with handheld cameras and the likes, but nonetheless really enjoyable and worth watching. Apart from their own songs, you get to enjoy a number of special surprises, including the band performing a variety of co
As you might gather, there is an absolutely huge amount of content to sit through. This is an absolute must-buy for anyone even slightly interested in Heavy Metal and the standard by which every other artist's DVD releases will be measured by for years to come!
DVD 10 | Dolby Digital 2.0 | 16:9 & 4:3 | PAL | 0 | 200 mins approx.
Nuclear Blast GmbH/Mega Video, 2005. Made in Russia.

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. The Blood Of Kingu
2. Uthark Runa
3. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx
4. Asgård
5. Son Of The Sun
6. Invocation Of Naamah
7. Typhon
8. Draconian Trilogy
9. Flesh Of The Gods
10. Schwarzalbenheim
11. Ginnungagap
12. In Remembrance
13. Wild Hunt
14. The Invincible
15. Melez
16. Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
17. The Khlysti Evangelist
18. Siren Of The Woods
19. Quetzalcoatl
20. Wine Of Aluqah
21. Cults Of The Shadow
22. To Mega Therion
23. Iron Fist

Side B:
1. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx
2. The Invocation Of Naamah
3. Cults Of The Shadow
4. Birth Of Venus Illegitima
5. In The Desert Of Set
6. Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah
7. Wine Of Aluqah
8. To Mega Therion
9. Pandemonic Outbreak
10. A Black Rose 
11. The Beauty In Black 
12. To Mega Therion 
13. In The Desert Of Set 
14. Birth Of Venus Illegitima
15. Summernight City
16. The Golden Embrace (Art Film)
17. Studio Reports From The "Lemuria / Sirius B" Recordings

Embroidered bordered woven patch.

100x30mm 

The eighth full-length album by the legendary Swedish Symphonic Metal band.
As with many of Therion's other albums, "Deggial" features a choir and orchestra. Unlike their earlier release "Vovin", which seemed to focus more on vocals, "Deggial"'s style leans towards Hard Rock and sounds overall like "Vovin" with more atmosphere.
The first track "Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx" starts almost where "Vovin" ended. First 'slap' in the face - heavy riff combined with "accelerating" guitar melodies and just after.....those "typical" Therion's chorus falling from Olympia (women & men chorus voices following each other) Wow!!!
A start "à la" Maiden for the second song (on first track you could also hear Maiden typical melody style). The chorus (women & men) are back again and this time you have this feeling too hear Mozart's requiem symphony. Violins are great and the mixture with the "unplugged" guitar and this 70's drums sound leaves speechless...
Suddenly an accelerating riff announces the "entry" of "flute, trumpet, cello, contrabass". In two words, the orchestra arrives and confirming it has not been invited just to be mentioned on the booklet. The third song start with this feeling that first two songs have been mixed up; fantastic "simple riff" and again this women chorus starts to hit your brain. This unbelievable melody comes from heaven and seems to be totally timeless.
Fourth track till the eighth one confirms the first impression: A "comet" in the Metal universe.
It is not over. Song 9 starts with a "Running Wild's riff", unbelievable! The "Flesh Of The Gods", the title track, will hits you! Hansi (Blind Guardian / Demons & Wizards) starts to sing and illuminate even more this already wonderful album with his magical voice!
But, it is still not over! Song 10th start like a "typical requiem song" and Christopher Johnsson decide to mix the women chorus with a bombastic "double bass" riff coming straight from Iced Earth! Masterpiece!!
After a good Judas Priest or Immortal album, sometimes you want to rest in peace in your bed. Sometimes you would like to seduce a girl (or a boy) and listen to something more "quiet", but it has to be a Metal Band! Don't search anymore, Therion's "Deggial" has been recorded for this type of situation!!
Nuclear Blast GmbH, 2000 (NB 442-2). Made in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx 3:35
2. Eternal Return 7:10
3. Enter Vril-Ya 6:38
4. Ship Of Luna 6:28
5. The Invincible 5:09
6. Deggial 5:03
7. Emerald Crown 5:29
8. The Flight Of The Lord Of Flies 1:22
9. Flesh Of The Gods 4:06
10. Via Nocturna (Part I And II) 9:33
11. O Fortuna 3:22
Total playing time: 57:55 min.

Samples: http://www.last.fm

The fifth full-length album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Metal band.
Therion’s "Theli" may be the most essential Symphonic Metal album ever released. It’s the kind of work that is necessary to listen to at least once in a lifetime of fandom. It’s an album worth exploring thoroughly for Therion fans. What makes Theli stand out among other ambitious releases is the consequent will to fuse Operatic and Symphonic elements with Doom, Gothic, and even Power Metal in equal parts to invent something extremely courageous and completely unrivaled in originality. It’s something new from an intellectual point of view, but also from an Atmospheric and Technical approach. This album features sophisticated tracks including dark and raw vocals, full choirs, gripping riffing, vivid rhythm work, and the crowning keyboard orchestrations. Classical music and Heavy Metal have rarely come into such close contact as on this release. At a time when the Metal scene seemed to be waning in power, bands like Amorphis, Moonspell, and Therion kept an entire scene alive with their determined approach to inventing and reinventing themselves with each new release.
Most of old fans first listened to Therion’s "In Mega Therion" when it was included on a double DVD collection as part of Nuclear Blast’s “Monsters Of Metal” series. There are a very few precious moments in your life when you listen to a song and realize that it will change your perception of music. Listening to this song was one of those moments. The beauty and the beast mixture of heavy riffs and powerful raw male vocals with male and female choirs was special enough. When the incredible solo with dueling guitar and keyboard came up, followed by a section of sacred-sounding choirs, you got heavy goosebumps and a racing heartbeat. The conclusion kicked in, with enchanting piano and trumpet, and you had tears in your eyes. Choirs, pianos, violins, and even trumpets in a Metal song? This was something completely new to all Metalheads, and it shook up their world. Thanks to Therion, much of Metalheads started to listen to and to appreciate Classical Music at that young age. These long-haired Death Metal musicians had just reinvented a whole genre with a song!!
It’s hard to believe it, but the most amazing thing about "Theli" is that the rest of the album is just as amazing as the opening “Preludium” and “To Mega Therion”. The relaxing bass and the mysterious keyboard tones of “Cults Of The Shadow“ immediately will grab your intention, and the song becomes a catchy, yet diversified Symphonic Metal anthem with two different gloomy male vocalists in addition to the grandiose choirs. This song is very easy to approach and catchy from the beginning onward. The following “In The Desert Of Set” comes around with an obvious Egyptian feel. From the intro on, guitars take control and lead into passages where gracious female and male choirs interchange with both clean and harsh male vocals. The song surprises with its impressive structure that includes a short bass guitar interlude, recurring Folk elements, majestic grand piano, and faster orchestral parts. Therion put more ideas into this single impressive song than most others put into entire albums or discographies. “Nightside Of Eden” continues to convince with more Progressive, almost Space Rock-infused sounds a passionate ending with guitar solos of the highest quality. “Invocation Of Naamah” is the only faster track on the record that goes musically back to the band’s early days. The fast Melodic Death Metal verses meet the band’s typical Orchestral elements and operatic vocals for most of the rest of the song, and the final result sounds refreshingly balanced. “The Siren Of The Woods“ is by far the longest track on the record, and it’s a very appeasing and elegiac song that delivers more mysterious keyboard sounds, sacral chants, and an Epic atmosphere. It is mostly instrumental, and features almost no Metal instrumentation whatsoever. The soothing female vocals will make you think of new age music, but they also have a tender Asian Folk-like touch to them. The calm male singing that complements the female performer could have come straight from an Italian opera. Among many very impressive songs, this one is definitely Therion’s most courageous and radical, as it nearly breaks with any expectations held by critics and fans, as well as Therion’s own Doom and Death Metal ridden past. It’s very symbolic to choose exactly this title as a single. It shows the world that with Therion, you can only expect the unexpected. Despite its length, this floating lullaby definitely has its very own charm. It’s a perfect track to peacefully fall asleep to.
This was the last album on which Christofer Johnsson sang, and the final album to include any Death Metal growls until their brief appearance on 2004's "Lemuria".
There is no questioning that "Theli" is a revolutionary record!
Have fun with this mind blowing masterpiece!!
Nuclear Blast GmbH, 1996 (NB 179-2). Made in UK. Re-press.


Tracklist:
1. Preludium 1:43 
2. To Mega Therion 6:35 
3. Cults Of The Shadows 5:14 
4. In The Desert Of Set 5:29 
5. Interludium 1:48 
6. Nightside Of Eden 7:32 
7. Opus Eclipse 3:41 
8. Invocation Of Naamah 5:32 
9. The Siren Of The Woods 9:55 
10. Grand Finale / Postludium 4:05
Total playing time: 51:34 min.

The seventeenth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic Metal band.
With defiant determination rarely found in a metal band, Therion have always and exclusively done what they deemed right. Never did they stick to a successful formula, never did they give in to fickle friends like expectation, commercial aspects or trends. Now, more than three decades into their storied career, they actually do something every fan had hoped for but never actually thought possible. “We wanted to give fans what they want this time,” is how musical mastermind Christofer Johnsson describes the second part in a trilogy.
According to Christofer Johnsson, this second part of the trilogy attempts aimed towards a "more moody and melancholic" sound, that rekindles the "mystic, melancholic aura" of their groundbreaking work "Vovin".
“Leviathan II” is a mystic, melancholic, epic, heavy, orchestral, catchy and atmospheric sonic feast, distilling the essence of Therion in magnificent songs!
Strictly limited to 500 copies, Orange with Black/White Splatter Vinyl in Gatefold Cover.
(6124 | NB 6124-1). Made in Germany. Pressed in France. First press.


Tracklist:

Side I
1. Aeon Of Maat 2:37
2. Litany Of The Fallen 4:11
3. Alchemy Of The Soul 4:11
4. Lunar Coloured Fields 5:40
5. Lucifuge Rofocale 4:43
6. Marijin Min Nar 5:46

Side II
7. Hades And Elysium 4:23
8. Midnight Star 4:43
9. Cavern Cold As Ice 3:26
10. Codex Gigas 4:07
11. Pazuzu 4:28

Total playing time: 48:15 min.

The first re-release of the debut EP by legendary Swedish Death Metal band.
With their debut album, "Of Darkness…" (1991), Therion delivered a true milestone in Swedish Death Metal. Before that, they released the "Time Shall Tell" demo in 1989 and got a re-release as a 12" EP by House Of Kicks a year after. Now, 32 years later, Hammerheart Records gets it a much-deserved reissue.
Much deserved, as this has been hailed as being one of the pinnacles of the infamous early Swedish Death Metal scene. And not unjustified at all. These four tracks all have memorable hooks, catchy song structures and unparalleled dynamics. Maybe most ear-catching though are the strong vocals. Rather straightforward yet performed with such a fanatical power that they became half of the trademark of the early Therion-sound. The other half is the sound. Though being one of the earliest recordings by any band in that early Swedish scene and being recorded at the Sunlight Studios by Thomas Skogsberg, it does not have that typical Swedish buzz saw guitar sound yet. Nor has it that same Punk-based Nihilist sound that was basically the blueprint for many other bands that followed, instead Therion had more in common with early American Death Metal bands, which gave them a distinctive identity amongst their peers. Yet, they were still able to blend this all into something that sounds very Swedish nonetheless. All this together, combined with the rather dark production, makes this an EP of iconic stature, not equalled by many.
A much-deserved reissue, not only because the original 12" EP is rather hard to get. But also, to help us remind that before Therion grew into the hugely commercial giant they are today, they were a great and promising Death Metal band that helped kickstart a scene that is still so very vital even today!
Released under license and in co-operation with Therion, black vinyl in glossy cover with silver foil stamping.
Hammerheart Records, 1990/2022 (HHR 2022-13). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Time Shall Tell 5:07
2. Dark Eternity 4:45

Side Two
3. Asphyxiate With Fear 4:41
4. A Suburb To Hell 5:19

Total playing time: 19:52 min.

 

The first re-release of the debut EP by legendary Swedish Death Metal band.
With their debut album, "Of Darkness…" (1991), Therion delivered a true milestone in Swedish Death Metal. Before that, they released the "Time Shall Tell" demo in 1989 and got a re-release as a 12" EP by House Of Kicks a year after. Now, 32 years later, Hammerheart Records gets it a much-deserved reissue.
Much deserved, as this has been hailed as being one of the pinnacles of the infamous early Swedish Death Metal scene. And not unjustified at all. These four tracks all have memorable hooks, catchy song structures and unparalleled dynamics. Maybe most ear-catching though are the strong vocals. Rather straightforward yet performed with such a fanatical power that they became half of the trademark of the early Therion-sound. The other half is the sound. Though being one of the earliest recordings by any band in that early Swedish scene and being recorded at the Sunlight Studios by Thomas Skogsberg, it does not have that typical Swedish buzz saw guitar sound yet. Nor has it that same Punk-based Nihilist sound that was basically the blueprint for many other bands that followed, instead Therion had more in common with early American Death Metal bands, which gave them a distinctive identity amongst their peers. Yet, they were still able to blend this all into something that sounds very Swedish nonetheless. All this together, combined with the rather dark production, makes this an EP of iconic stature, not equalled by many.
A much-deserved reissue, not only because the original 12" EP is rather hard to get. But also, to help us remind that before Therion grew into the hugely commercial giant they are today, they were a great and promising Death Metal band that helped kickstart a scene that is still so very vital even today!
Released under license and in co-operation with Therion, limited to 250 copies Silver vinyl in glossy cover with silver foil stamping.
Hammerheart Records, 1990/2022 (HHR 2022-13). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Time Shall Tell 5:07
2. Dark Eternity 4:45

Side Two
3. Asphyxiate With Fear 4:41
4. A Suburb To Hell 5:19

Total playing time: 19:52 min.


 

The second re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic Death/Doom Metal band.
In Ancient Greek, ho Drakon ho Megas (ὁ Δράκων ὁ Μέγας) means "The Great Dragon". Uttering "Ho Drakon Ho Megas" is typically used at the end of ceremonies and rituals when conjuring the Draconian force in a magical order Dragon Rouge, in which head of the band, Christofer Johnsson, used to be a member.
Judging by the sudden change in style, like the band had somehow previewed the whole Symphonic Black Metal movement, it’s clear that Johnsson was attempting to go with a bang. Although the album is only 37 minutes long (and although only the closing suite seems to catch an actual Symphonic atmosphere), "Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas" displays plenty of variation during its mostly flowing course. The album displays the same C# tuning and marching rhythms, with very little faster sections. Fortunately, there’s more than Samael venturing: there are also minor harmonic scales, Ska-like off-beat rhythms and cinematic sounds and production enough to make it a fuller listening, even if not a more consistent one. The vocals are sometimes hoarse, sometimes distorted or radio-sounding, rarely even (*gulp*) actually sung by Johnsson himself. Some songs, like “Powerdance”, even boast interesting riffs or instrumental sections. At the end of the day, it may be a modest album, but Symphony Masses proved nonetheless to be the band’s breakthrough.
If you appreciate "Lepaca Kliffoth" though, then you wouldn’t want to miss this one.
Hammerheart Records, 1993/2022 (HHR 2022-15). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:
1. Baal Reginon 2:12
2. Dark Princess Naamah 4:19
3. A Black Rose 4:02
4. Symphoni Drakonis Inferni 2:34
5. Dawn Of Perishness 5:53
6. The Eye Of The Eclipse 5:02
7. The Ritual Dance Of The Yezidis 2:10
8. Powerdance 3:08
9. Procreation Of Eternity 4:06
10. Ho Drakon Ho Megas Act 1 - The Oragon Throne 1:26
11. Ho Drakon Ho Megas Act 2 - Fire And Ecstacy 2:52
Total playing time: 37:44 min.

The fourth re-release of the fourth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Death Metal band.
During 1995, when many of their contemporaries were rooted deep in the extreme Metal spectrum, Christofer Johnsson and Co. decided to broaden their horizon to bring forth all their musical influences to such an extent that, despite their complete stylistically departure (which rightly unfitting to many), onlookers and open-minded fanatics can always find many things to ponder upon all sorts of classical references and can conceive all eleven songs with renewed interpretation.
Stylistically, "Lepaca Kliffoth" retains the aggressive riffing and sheds the harsh growls of the band's previous Death Metal output, while also incorporating more elements of traditional Heavy Metal (conventional, but with an undeniable dark feeling) and more pronounced Gothic and Symphonic elements, often leading to this album being viewed as a transitional album in Therion's discography. Adding the enticing bass-baritone voice of Hans Groning and the soprano singer Claudia Maria Mokri, who has already refined Celtic Frost's albums with her voice, reinforced the diversity of the album. Also, the dominance of keyboards, more Persian influences, more Progressive melodies, Fredrik Isaksson’s ever flowing basslines, Christofer Johnsson singing in a newer Hardcore way, established the combined songwriting and inventive prowess of the band. Notably, this record also beholds a production appropriate to their multi-faceted, partly Dark Symphonic Death Metal in the broadest sense.
The title refers to the qlippoth (in the Zohar, Lurianic Kabbalah, and Hermetic Qabalah, the qlippoth are the representation of evil or impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism), the opposites of the sefirot. Sefirot meaning emanations, are the 10 attributes/emanations in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof ("infinite space") reveals itself and continuously creates both the physical realm and the seder hishtalshelut (the chained descent of the metaphysical Four Worlds).
"Sorrows of the Moon" originally performed by Celtic Frost, based on the poem "Tristesse de la lune" by Charles Baudelaire, with completely new lyrics translated by Therion. The first guitar riff in "Melez" sounds identical to the Scorpions' song "They Need a Million".
Enticing news in that sense for the old or newly exposed souls, this record comes alive again as part of Hammerherat’s re-release offensive in the remastered CD version (with startling double bonus tracks) now and then the LP version a little later.
Hammerheart Records, 1995/2022 (HHR 2022-16). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:
1. The Wings of the Hydra 03:33
2. Mele 04:06
3. Arrival of the Darkest Queen 00:54
4. The Beauty in Black 03:12
5. Riders of Theli 02:51
6. Black 05:02
7. Darkness Eve 05:19
8. Sorrows of the Moon (Celtic Frost cover) 03:26
9. Let the New Day Begin 03:35
10. Lepaca Kliffoth 04:26
11. Evocation of Vovin 04:54
Total playing time: 41:18 min.

The second re-release of the seventh full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Metal band.
The evolution of Christofer Johnsson's band from an early Death Metal outfit into one of the most influential Symphonic Metal entities of all time, which commenced at the beginning of the 90s, saw its logical conclusion with the release of "Vovin", Therion's indisputable magnum opus, the work of art that Johnsson had envisioned to create since he started to steer his band's sound into this particular direction.
"Vovin" (in Enochian occult language, means dragon) is Therion’s masterpiece and the definitive symphonic metal album. A well deserved classic! With their roots in Death Metal, Therion were one of the first to include Symphonic and Classical elements in their Metal sound in the 90s: with violins, cello, and double bass blending effortlessly with guitars, drums, and bass.
"Vovin" went on to be the band’s most successful release. Exceedingly symphonic songs like opener “The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah” alternate with faster numbers, and with “Eye Of Shiva” the album finds a beautiful ballad with impressive guitar solos and catchy vocals. Album highlight “Clavicula Nox” shines as an over eight-minute piece boasting acoustic guitars, strings, solo vocals, choirs, guitar solos and incomparably pleasant, sombre atmospheres, inviting the listener to lose himself completely in the music.
"Vovin" doesn't only perfectly blend Metal and the Symphonic with an exquisite balance, but has the benefit of superior production values that are just flawless, another advantage it holds over past Therion works. The album represents the culmination in every aspect of Johnsson's alchemy attempts to merge Metal music with Classical Symphonic art, and his utmost success. Even though it was released under the name Therion, Christofer Johnsson regards this as his solo album, as it was recorded entirely with studio musicians who were not members of the band.
"Vovin" is Therion's bestselling album. Selling over 150.000 copies in Europe alone, it marked the band’s place on top of the Metal scene.
Hammerheart Records, 1998/2022 (HHR 2022-61). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:
1. The Rise Of Sodom And Gomorrah 6:45
2. Birth Of Venus Illegitima 5:13
3. Wine Of Aluqah 5:02
4. Clavicula Nox 8:47
5. The Wild Hunt 3:47
6. Eye Of Shiva 6:17
7. Black Sun - Draconian Trilogy 5:08
8. The Opening 1:28
9. Morning Star 3:34
10. Black Diamonds 2:56
11. Raven Of Dispersion 5:57
Total playing time: 54:54 min.

The second re-release of the ninth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Metal band.
"Secret Of The Runes" is another perfect masterpiece made by Therion. A unique album full of musical genius, classical brilliance and fascinating Nordic tones!
 This time, Therion challenged to make a concept album, which concept is based on Norse mythology. Norse mythology is said to have nine different worlds or planes and, in this album, each song gets one of the names and concepts of nine worlds.
"Secret Of The Runes" sounds very different from any other albums of Therion, and it’s also one of the best albums Therion has ever made. On "Secret Of The Runes", Therion’s music style becomes more various than their previous albums. Aside from the Operatic choruses and Aymphony orchestra, they add many Scandinavian sounds such as Black and Viking Metal. More surprisingly, the music fits with the concept perfectly. This album is not only a perfect combination of music and concept, but also a unique album in Therion’s career. It is an extremeness of feeling, containing epic, majesty, beauty, peace, and passion, wih magnificent atmosphere of Scandinavian Epic Metal, which Therion has never composed before. Moreover, the musicianship in this album is better than all of their previous albums. The ability of Operatic vocals, used in this album, their best work so far.
Cover artwork features nine Scandinavian runes with the Elder Futhark alphabet, each corresponding to a certain mythological world.
Christofer Johnsson's Gothic flair for the dramatic has never been more pronounced than on this album, and the life he breathes into Underground Metal will make up for the breath it takes away from its listeners. Therion continues to be one of the most painstakingly original acts, and even those who think the band strays too far from their roots with each subsequent album have to marvel at the musicianship and imagination Therion displays on "Secret Of The Runes".
Hammerheart Records, 2001/2022 (HHR 2022-63). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:
1. Ginnungagap 6:09
2. Midgård 5:04
3. Asgård 4:08
4. Jotunheim 3:43
5. Schwarzalbenheim 5:18
6. Ljusalfheim 3:54
7. Muspelheim 2:15
8. Nifelheim 4:36
9. Vanaheim 4:04
10. Helheim 3:18
11. Secret Of The Runes 5:30
Total playing time: 47:59 min.

The first re-release of the tenth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Metal band.
The album title refers to the name of a supposed sunken continent, Lemuria, much like Atlantis. "Lemuria" is one of the two albums that Therion released in 2004, and definitely one of the best in their career. This album remains in high rotation and is one of only a handful of ever released records, which define a genre. Therion tone down the Operatic quotient of earlier albums and increasing the Metallic elements to reach a perfect balance.
Balance is probably the best way of describing "Lemuria". It’s paced perfectly, from the bombastic openers “Typhon”, “Uthark Runa” and “Three Ships of Berik (I & II)” which all feature sharp guitar work and varied vocal styles. The album settles down towards the middle – during “Lemuria”, “Quetzalcoatl” and the first half of “Dreams of Swedenborg” which boasts an absolutely brilliant guitar solo and is a definite highlight on an album so equal throughout. The album clears out on the positively brilliant trio “Arrow from the Sun”, “Abraxas” and “Feuer Overture” which brings the album full circle with a nice mid-tempo rocker. Also worth noting is the production, which is also perfectly balanced so that no element of the music is overbearing, allowing the strength of songwriting to shine.
Creating something this multi-faceted and cohesive, utilizing the entire tonal spectrum with more than 171 musicians, is an achievement in itself. Therion also obviously had a huge amount of material early 2004 when they set about recording their pair of albums. "Lemuria" in particular of the pair displays a strength of songwriting fused together to create the rare kind of record where each track both fits together as a whole and can stand on its own. That is probably why “Lemuria” is so good, and why isolating any particular track would not do the others' justice.
Hammerheart Records, 2004/2022 (HHR 2022-64). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:
1. Typhon 4:36
2. Uthark Runa 4:41
3. Three Ships Of Berik Part 1: Calling To Arms And Fighting The Battle 3:19
4. Three Ships Of Berik Part 2: Victory! 0:44
5. Lemuria 4:15
6. Quetzalcoatl 3:47
7. The Dreams Of Swedenborg 4:58
8. An Arrow From The Sun 5:54
9. Abraxas 5:21
10. Feuer Overtüre / Prometheus Entfesselt 4:39
Total playing time: 42:14 min.