Customer Reviews

Fallen Sanctuary

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, Serenity's first full album, Words Untold & Dreams Unlived was one of my favorite albums of 2007, so I really looked forward to this new album. In fact, it was the first album that I have ever pre-ordered.

Thankfully, this album was not one to disappoint and may even be better than the first. I loved it before I had even finished listening through it for the first time.

Each and every song has a very lush, epic sound full of catchy melodies and backed by a multitude of instruments that really help layer the music and give it a wide orchestral sound, all while balancing with the heavy metal side.

If you're a fan of complex progressive rock and metal bands like Dream Theater or Symphony X, or if you were a fan of Words Untold & Dreams Unlived, then you should really give this album a try.

If you liked the first album, you will love this one. The album really captures Serenity's musical range, from crunch speedy tracks (To Stone She Turned) to delightfully cheesy ballads (Fairytales). What I think sets Serenity above a lot of other bands are songs like Coldness Kills, a mid-tempo piece in a really haunting key. Under all of this is a greatly fleshed out orchestration compared to Worlds Untold. This is one of those albums you listen to over and over and hear a new element every time.

Serenity by far is one of the best current bands within the progressive metal genre! To be honest, they're like listening to Symphony X for the first time. Yes, they're that good! Serenity seems to grasp the concept of melody, along with technical prowess. In other words, they don't compromise one for the other like so many of their peers do. If you like bands such as: Sonata Arctica, Circus Maximus, and Symphony X, then check out Serenity. You will be VERY glad that you did!

Serenity is enjoying enormous success in Europe. Fallen Sanctuary contains a striking mix: sweeping vocals, symphonic metal, orchestral support and even death growls. Melodies are unique and catchy, a far cry from the boring American bands that grind out similar sounding songs, over and over. The squished video of the song Velatum is making the rounds on the internet, but a high-quality version of this outstanding production is on the special edition of Fallen Sanctuary. It's worth paying extra for.

I am going to have to admit that I slept on this album for 3 months thinking that it is the same thing as all the other prog-metal bands. And you know what.....IT IS. But for some CRAZY reason I like every song. Sometimes that happens, that's why I give everything a chance. There is nothing special with this band what so ever except for their ability to create catchy riffs and choruses. I have played The Heartblood Symphony about 100 times in the last two days. That song is so catchy. For some reason I'm really feeling this album. The singer reminds me of Klaus Meine from the Scorpions. They carry notes the same. If you are looking for some catchy Prog-Metal then get this album. Just don't be so critical because you have heard this all before.

I love the previous album a lot. Words untold is excellent. I found this release to sound too similar almost like seconds from previous work. By the time time the album started sound awesome it was over. I would rather have waited another year for the band to put together some more new material. I do wish this band well because there is way too much negativity in metal and they seem to have a more positive and uplifting sound. Though the style is different they remind me a little of visions of atlantis.

very good cd if you like this kind of music ....i would buy it again ..... better than their last one.... my opinion