Days of Rising Doom [Import]

Aina | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Transmission
• ASIN: B0000VB2GU
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Aina Overture

2. Revelations

3. Silver Maiden

4. Flight of Torek

5. Naschtok Is Born

6. The Beast Within

7. The Siege of Aina

8. Talon's Last Hope

9. Rape of Oria

10. Son of Sorvahr

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Story of Aina [Instrumental]

2. The Beast Within [Single Version]

3. Ve Toúra Sol (Rape of Oria) [Ainae Version]

4. Flight of Torek [Single Version]

5. Silver Maiden [Alternate Version]

6. Talon's Last Hope [Demo Version]

7. The Siege of Aina [Single Version]

8. The Story of Aina

Editorial Reviews

Limited edition release of metal rock opera by producer Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody, Epica, After Forever) & featuring members (past & present) of Edguy, Nightwish, Blackmore's Night, Stratovarius, Epica, Kamelot, Helloween, & more. Features 23 audio tracks on 2 CDs, & includes a DVD (PAL/Region 0) featuring 7 chapters, 'The Beast Within' (Video - Single Version - 3D computer animation), The Making Of Aina, The Story Of Aina (Moving Story Board), Slide Show, Artwork, Audio Settings & Credits. Packaged in CD book format. Transmission. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Stars - Amazing Power-Metal Moments with A Few Flaws, March 31, 2005

By 

Dan Solera (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days of Rising Doom: Metal Opera (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

This album definitely has its moments of grandeur that have not yet been duplicated by any other power-metal band. The reason being: Aina is not a band. Aina is the mind-child of four producers, each of whom has had his/her hand in the rise of epic power metal. Miro and Sasha Paeth have produced power-metal mavens Rhapsody, Kamelot. Combined with Robert Hunecke-Rizzo's multi-instrumentalist prowess and Amanda Somerville's lyrical and thematic capabilities, and you have what appears to be the boldest, most ambitious power-metal release to date.

And yet, it isn't the genre's Moby Dick or Ulysses. The tremendous hype in the press and Aina's website, the ludicrous array of contributing musicians and the album's stunning artwork and package don't truly reflect the music within. The songs are accessible and catchy (as most power-metal songs tend to be), but rarely break out of the formula into something truly memorable. Staples such as "Revelations" and "Rebellion" are fun to listen to, but lack the creative thrust that launch the top bands into stardom.

However, the album *does* have its moments. "Silver Maiden" is an all-orchestral piece, medieval and seductive. It is ethereal, idyllic, and wispy with its strings, flutes and harps all lightly layered under Michael Kiske's delicate croon. Immediately following this song is the most memorable and crushing power-metal anthem, "Flight of Torek", in which Edguy's Tobias Sammet sprints across a rapid burst of double-kick drums, fast guitars, and several changes in tempo and melody to keep the listener interested. "The Siege of Aina" carries with it an original duet of army-chants - one angelic and one demonic.

But for all its planning and crisp execution, the album doesn't really take off as one would expect. Some songs are just plain lackluster. "Son of Sorvahr" is a throw-away song, and "Oriana's Wrath", the album's supposed climax, is a real disappointment with only one memorable melody and nothing that approaches a real musical build-up.

To go one level deeper, there is little character development. Despite the fantastic setting, the only character that is colorfully illustrated is Torek, who sings in about half the songs on the album. Everyone else seems crafted to affect or taunt him.

The album has its place in any power-metal enthusiast's collection. But for those who followed the hype and expected the next Symphony of Enchanted Lands, we were disappointed. The symphony is lacking, the powerful songs aren't quite powerful enough, and the overall musical layout needs revising. A great listen at times, one that might need a couple of spins, but still lacking in a holistic sense. My word of advice to the four masterminds: stay behind the glass - produce, collaborate. Leave the songwriting to your clients.

See also: Kamelot - The Fourth Legacy, Edguy - Mandrake

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Varied, memorable and at times exhilarating, June 25, 2004

By 

SEAN C JORDEN (Calgary, AB Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Days of Rising Doom: Metal Opera (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

The metal opera genre is still going strong, thanks to projects like these.

One should approach this product with an open mind, for all songs are not 'metal' per se. The music at times wanders into new age, Pink Floyd and even Broadway territory. Thankfully, it's well written and perfectly executed, not over the top (like the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for example) and adds to the epic/opera atmosphere. The metal itself is top-notch power metal; songs like 'The Beast Within' stick in your mind for days and weeks. Overall I would say about 60% of the music is metal.

Negatives? The DVD will have to be viewed as a throw-in because it certainly lacks the quality of the music found on the first CD. The video for 'The Beast Within' is bad, bad stuff. The 'Making of Aina' is mildly enjoyable, although I was really hoping to see Sass Jordan belting out some metal in the studio! I am sorely tempted to knock off 1 star because the higher price indicates you are paying for it. Lets say first CD rates 5 stars, the whole package rates 4.5 stars.

This will certainly not collect dust on your shelf, and I suspect it will age very well so you will likely still be enjoying it in a few decades time. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tolkien vs Metal, April 15, 2004

By 

venome (Bree, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Days of Rising Doom: Metal Opera (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

"Days Of Rising Doom - The Metal Opera" contains 2 cd's and 1 dvd. The 3 discs all tell the story of Aina. It's a fantasy-story which reminded me a little of The Lord Of The Rings, because of some similair aspects (made-up language and world, good versus evil). Aina is a peaceful land that is ruled by a king with two sons. But both the sons (Talon and Torek) are in love with Oria, The Silver Maiden. Oria only loves Talon, who she marries. Torek is furious and leaves Aina and goes to Naschtok, where he prepares a war with Aina. This is the beginning of the story (I'm not gonna tell the whole story, it's pretty long!).
Disc one contains 15 songs that follow up to each other and so tell the story. My favourite songs are "Flight Of Torek", "The Siege Of Aina" and "Oriana's Wrath".
Disc two contains single versions and alternate versions to several songs of disc one.
The most interesting thing on the DVD was the documentary "The Making Of Aina". It showed a clear and interesting view on how they managed to make this huge metal opera.
There were a lot of people involved in this project. The actual 'creators' of Aina are Sascha Paet (producer of Epica and others), Amanda Somerville, Miro and Robert Hunecke-Rizzo.
But there many guest vocalists (one for each character in the story) such as Glen Hughes, Marco Hietala (Nightwish) and Simone Simons (Epica). There are also many guest musicians like Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish),Jens Johansson (Stratovarius) and TM Stevens. I think it's very special that they managed to get all those people together in one project.

To my opinion, this album is one of the greatest ones I've heard the last few years and if you're into symphonic, operatic, versatile, fantasy metal you should definitely buy this record!!