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  • Ayreon - Transitus (2020)

    Ayreon has been releasing nine different conceptual progressive metal records plus one re-recorded hidden gem but the group's tenth project entitled Transitus might actually be its very best thus far. The group leaves its futuristic stories behind and tells a tale of historical fiction somewhere between William Shakespeare and The Rocky Horror Show. This new approach sounds fresh and is entertaining from start to finish. Despite the fact that this effort includes two discs, features twenty-two different songs and has a total length of eighty-one minutes, this release doesn't include one single second of boredom. Crank up the volume to discover a creative story, wonderful musicianship and melodies than invite to dance and sing along like a genuine musical.

    Opening epic "Fatum Horrificum" is the greatest way to start this record. It introduces us to the story, presents the most important characters and sets the tone for a progressive metal masterpiece between ecstatic entertainment and serious musicianship. This tune consists of six different sections and clocks in at a massive ten minutes. However, the transitions between all these passages are so dynamic, fluid and playful that you won't notice the ambitious length of the track at all. This song summarizes best what Ayreon's Transitus is all about and you should certainly start your discovery right here.

    Highlights there are aplenty and I shall introduce you to some of these with great joy. "Talk of the Town" is atmospheric, catchy and dynamic and sounds like a timeless take from a rock opera of the seventies. The chorus is particularly memorable and seems to have been written to be sung along to. Ayreon certainly has to present this release from start to finish on stage in the near future.

    "Dumb Piece of Rock" is by far the record's most amusing tune. A statue speaks to one of the protagonists with self-aware sarcasm that will make anyone with a sense of humour smile brightly. The song is diversified, playful and surprising which enhances the comedic atmosphere even further. Ayreon breaks completely new ground here as it has never attempted anything similar before.

    "Get Out! Now!" is a dramatic, powerful and vibrant piece of hard rock music providing you a figurative kick in the butt. It offers breathtaking entertainment through five memorable minutes. The lead vocals by Dee Snider sound better than anything the hard rock veteran has been creating previously in both his band and solo career. You can quote me on this and if you doubt me, give this song a few spins.

    With so much creative energy going on, this album must also offer the occasional heartfelt ballad with emotional vocals and tearjerking musicianship. The best song in this category certainly is "Hopelessly Slipping Away", a wonderful duet performed by Kamelot's Tommy Karevik and Oceans of Slumber's Cammie Gilbert. The song is performed so professionally that it doesn't even sound cheesy and this song easily beats anything else these vocalists have been recording in their respective careers. Ayreon's mastermind Arjen Anthony Lucassen somehow manages to bring the very best out of his guests and his accomplishments only get more gargantuan as his career progresses.

    Before I'm losing myself in heaps of praise, let me tell you that Ayreon's Transitus is the group's greatest accomplishment thus far as it offers playful musicianship, outstanding vocalists and a surprising story. This record deserves more attention and acclaim and should be brought to the stage soon. Anyone who likes hard rock, heavy metal and progressive metal as well as the concept of musicals and rock operas should listen to this masterpiece.

    Final Rating: 98%

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  • Katatonia - Mnemosynean (2021)

    Throughout its career of twenty years and counting, Swedish quintet Katatonia has released so many rarities that a compilation such as Mnemosynean makes perfect sense for faithful fans. This compilation has been nicely created with a creative title, wonderful cover artwork and two discs offering twenty-seven songs and one hundred twenty-nine minutes of entertainment. The final result includes material from extended plays and studio records released between 1998 and 2016 in anti-chronological order as well as six mixes and remixes to finish the release on an intriguing note.

    The greatest thing about this compilation is that several bonus tracks are actually better than some of the material included on regular outputs. One could mention the atmospheric, emotional and profound cover version of Judas Priest's overlooked gem "Night Comes Down" from the legendary Defenders of the Faith record. Katatonia have managed to find the excellent balance between paying tribute to one of the most influential heavy metal bands and making this song sound like one of their very own.

    Another shining example is the band's very own song “The Act Of Darkening”. The underestimated bonus track impresses with playful drum patterns and a delightful focus on acoustic guitar harmonies that give the song a longing campfire atmosphere.

    Even though it was released on an extended play back in 1998, epic, gloomy and progressive masterpiece "Scarlet Heavens" had actually been recorded all the way back in early 1994, two months after the release of the group's debut full length effort. Needless to say that the band that plays gloomy alternative rock by now goes back to its death and doom metal roots here which should delight fans of old age. The track also manages to break the ten-minute mark without ever sounding boring. This is a true hidden gem from the quintet's massive discography.

    As you can read, the high quality of the hidden gems collected here justifies the purchase of Katatonia's Mnemosynean for faithful fans and even occasional listeners. If you are not yet familiar with the band or have only heard a few tracks, you might also want to purchase this compilation to understand the band's transition from doom metal over death metal to gothic metal followed by gothic rock and alternative rock. If these genres sound intriguing to you, don't hesitate at all to give this band a chance.

    Final Rating: 85%

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