Metal Reviews

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A solid album though it's Adagio's weakest...
70/100 for me.

Wow, i wasn't expecting that release

But, when a review starts with "more aggressive and lower riffs", it tastes bitter in my mouth...

but i can't wait to listen to it, i really love Adagio's distinctive sound

I must say I was very unsure on the first listen but it's growing on me. It's definitely more aggressive and heavy... but I guess it is the logical follow-up to Dominate. The problem for me right now is that I don't feel there's a song on this one that has the immediate epicness and awesomeness of R'lyeh the Dead on Dominate. Still, a good album and a nice change from the often overly flowery power metal sound.

Agreed. When I first listened to this I didn't see myself giving it more than an 80 at the most, but it definitely grew on me.

Archangels In Black is not a bad album, just inferior to everything the band have released so far. Most of the songs are "good enough" but none really strike me as killer and there were plenty of killer songs on Dominate. I also don't like the new singer - he is just plain, there's nothing remarkable about him. Next time a few more songs like Twilight At Dawn and Fear Circus.

Been looking forward to this one. Didn't care for the band much before Dominate but the heavier direction of that album caught my attention. Upon hearing they were going in an even heavier direction with this album I knew I would pick it up for sure.

I have only heard 30 sec clips from each song so I can't really judge the album yet. I will say that from what I have heard of the clips I like even better than Dominate. Keep in mind though I am not a typical or euro power metal fan. I prefer the type that borders on thrash and is really heavy! The ultimate for me is the combination of death metal like heaviness with sung not growled vox. I guess that's why Nevermore is my favorite band.

Anyone heard a US release date for this album? I have a feeling I will be waiting a while before I can order it.

I'm scared for this one. Still haven't heard it, but I don't get all warm and fuzzy when I read reviews about it.

If you like previous Adagio's releases, you're right to be scare. It's not a bad album, mind. Just not much more generic than what the band used to produce. And the new guy isn't Readman, for sure.

I'm myself huge on Underworld for its classical moments and I do feel a bit disappointed that the band went to another direction. Readman is great, of course but personally.. I find myself prefering Monsanto. For me, he made Dominate a great album instead of a good one. I think if he would have sung on this one, it would have been better for me. There's a little something I don't like so much in Palin's voice. I find him a bit screechy, honestly. But that's just me.

That said, if you enjoyed Dominate, you should like this. This album could be said to be Dominate that shakes a little more air. Listen to The Astral Pathway or the title track and see what you think. Codex Obscura is also damn nice with the orchestrations. It's a much darker but more epic piece in the vein of R'yleh for Dominate.

I haven't heard their other stuff, but I liked this album, awesome riffage and soloing, with the occasional growling giving it a touch of death metal. Judging by this thread though, I'm sure you guys would recommend I check out their other albums.

Definitely.

I need to give it more listens but I just don't know.My favorite is Sanctus Ignis and Underworld is great but since then......they've lost me a bit.