Labyrinth

The finest compliment I can think to convey about this album is that if this were an EP containing only the first four songs I would still spend money to get it; the rest of the album would be gravy for the meat and potatoes. The first four tracks are incredible examples of everything that is great about Progressive Power Metal as they all contain fantastic musicianship, excellent band interplay, a supremely satisfying lead vocalist that hits notes that are simply awe-inspiring. With this tsunami wave of tremendous song after song it finally crashes with track five as the tempo changes drastically and the listener is allowed a moment's rest as the wave finally receeds. Track five constitutes a superb ballad which still contains some exciting sections of progressive songcraft. The remainder of the album is a roller-coaster ride of tempo changes and outstanding songwriting and musicianship from everyone concerned. The production is exemplary, as well, as every instrument is clear and powerfully rendered. As good as every band member is, some of the most memorable parts are actually keyboard flourishes and background sound-effects. This guy is really creative, not just flashy and fast. All fans of Progressive Power Metal should not hesitate to pick this one up. Running time: (52:08)1. THE PROPHET (4:46)2. LIVIN' IN A MAZE (4:37)3. THIS WORLD (4:55)4. JUST SOLDIER (stay down) (5:27)5. NEVERENDING REST (4:54)6. TERZINATO (5:49)7. SLAVE TO THE NIGHT (6:06)8. SYNTHETIC PARADISE (5:48)9. HAND IN HAND (4:26)10. WHEN I WILL FLY FAR (5:16)

Ii this cruel world of hip hop and alternative metal this release is a big statement and an ultimate proof that power progressive metal of fine quality still does exist. Even though the best years of this genre had to be 1997- 2000, and having in mind that Labyrinth's most notorious record 'Return to Heaven Denied' was released back in 1998, the band were able to come up with yet another gem. This self titled album made me jump out of my seat on several occasions during the first listen.It starts exactly how all power metal albums start: with an agressive, fast and pompous tune called 'The Prophet'; then it continues with another superb track and then another superb track and it goes on till the last song without loosing its pace. Even the ballads sound powerful and dynamic.Production is fine just as in 'Return'; the songs are more keyboard driven than ever adding synthetic twists that fit nicely; guitars layers are fantastic, yet the lead guitar is somewhat weak comparing to previous releases. What really stands out though is vocals; the singer having high pitched voice at times hits extremely high notes without missing them.As a result of all this we have a polished product; a complete album that should be ranked among the best albums of this year.

When I got this album when it came out back in 2003 I couldn't believe how different it was in a good way.This album is Labyrinth's most aggressive album.The Prophet is the first song on the album and what a song it is,Andrea Cantarelli(Anders Rain)has amazing shredding solo's in this song and Roberto Tiranti(Rob Tyrant)does an amazing high scream at the end of this song.The best high scream Roberto Tiranti does is in Slave To The Night.You will be blown away by his high screams he does in this album,(trust me).Then you have Olaf Thorsen,the one who started Labyrinth,left the band so he is not on this album.The bad things about this album is that the solo's are much weaker,Andrea Cantarelli does not shred nearly enough on this album,then the keyboards are techno sounding which I hate but the album still rules.Just Soldier(Stay Down) is their most aggressive song on the album. This isn't really a power metal album,it's still somewhat but Labyrinth is changing their ways

not a masterpiece or whatnot but still extremely good. The production is AMAZING, some of the best production i have ever heard. The sound is loud, clean, crisp, and sounds extremely fresh. There is only one guitar player on this album but you couldn't tell as he shreds all over the place. Tyrants vocals are as good as ever, the drumming is awesome as well. The keyboard is great, he throws in some surprising twists to the songs. The songs are not too long nor too short. Just a really solid album. For a power metal band, they can shred pretty fast and hard. Tons of double bass here too. If your a fan of labyrinth or power metal then I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy this album. For a good sample of this album listen to tracks 1, 6, and 9. Thanks, bye.

I'm not a fan of transexual guys annoying the hell out of me by trying to sound like girls screeching at the top of their lungs. If you want your singer to sound like a girl just hire a girl instead. That being said, it takes a gem of a power metal album with falsetto male vocals to impress me. Which is what Labyrinth's self titled album is. The singer gets up there but for the most part dosen't sing all that high. They also put him more in the background, which may be the single smartest thing a power metal band could do. So you don't have to pay much attention to him if you don't want to. The rest of it sounds almost like a doom, melodic death or slow black metal band. (the reason I bought this was because I only heard a bit of the music and not the singer and thought they belonged to one of those genres) The guitars stand out in particular. Whoever plays for this band is one of the fastest I've ever heard. Sometimes the solos are so fast they sound more like a riff than a solo but if you listen closely you can hear the million notes being played at once. Very impressive. If you like Power Metal you should buy this today. I also recommend it for anyone who dosen't absolutly loathe Power Metal.

ラプソディーと並んでイタリアン・メタルの大御所である本バンドであるが、ライバルに比べると楽曲、プロダクション、そして手にした成功の大きさにこれまでは若干差があったように思う。しかし、久しぶりに届けられた本作で、積年の屈辱を晴らす！（当方ラビリンス派）オラフ・トーセンの脱退は周知のことかと思うが、その影響はすべての面においてよいほうに出ている。迷いが去ったかのような楽曲には従来のエピックな雰囲気は減少し、変わりに強烈なアグレッシブさを得た（こういった変化が気に入らない人もいるかと思うが・・・）。そして、最大のポイントと思うのは、ワン・ギター/ワン・キーボとなったことだろう。結果としてキーボードが出てくる出てくる！これがエピックな雰囲気を減少させてい!る大要因でもある。従来からのプログレッシブ色も強まったすばらしいメロディックスピードパワープログレッシブメタル、迷っている人がいたらすぐ手に入れよう！ところで、方々で酷評されている音質についてだが、基本的には問題ないでしょう。ただしソロでは、後処理等によってきれいにしているような気配がなく、アラやチープ感が出ているところもあるが、生々しい迫力が伝わってくると解釈すれば気にならないし、バンドの実力もわかる。今時ないぞ、こんなリアリティー！