Lemuria/Sirius B

Therion

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 1, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
• ASIN: B00023PB04
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,801 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Typhon

2. Uthark Runa

3. Three Ships of Berik, Pt. 1: Calling to Arms and Fighting the Battle

4. Three Ships of Berik, Pt. 2: Victory!

5. Lemuria

6. Quetzalcoatl

7. Dreams of Swedenborg

8. Arrow from the Sun

9. Abraxas

10. Feuer Overtüre/Prometheus Entfesselt

Disc: 2

1. Blood of Kingu

2. Son of the Sun

3. Khlysti Evangelist

4. Dark Venus Persephone

5. Kaliyuga, Pt. 1

6. Kaliyuga, Pt. 2

7. Wondrous World of Punt

8. Melek Taus

9. Call of Dagon

10. Sirius B

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Therion's best work in years, December 7, 2004

By	Ironblayde (Omaha, Nebraska, USA) - See all my reviews

I've been a fan of Therion for several years now, and although I've really enjoyed their last few albums (Vovin, Deggial, and Secret of the Runes), my favorite release of theirs has long been 1997's Theli. It was a magnificent album that got the balance between Therion's metal and operatic sides just right, and I'd begun to think that Therion would never reach that level of achievement again.

Well, here it is folks, the double album that proved me wrong. On Lemuria and Sirius B, Therion resurrect some of their metal roots and, as on Theli, fuse them flawlessly with their signature symphonic sound. There are even some death metal growls to be heard from time to time, and if you think that sounds out of place for this band, please try to reserve judgment until you've heard it, because it works amazingly well, as on the thundering opener 'Typhon' (packed with so much energy that I find it difficult to sit still when it comes on) and the interesting power-metal-esque 'Three Ships of Berik.'

Other highlights include: 'Lemuria,' a slower song whose chorus features the same unusual, distinctive vocals that fans will recall from Theli. Some people have said that the vocal style spoils the song, but for me, it's the vocals that make the song so memorable. 'The Blood of Kingu' is another awesome track, with energetic verses, soaring choruses, and a remarkable ending. Finally, the epic 'The Wondrous World of Punt' is perhaps the best song on either album, and will appeal to fans of Vovin.

In a time when it seems as though so many of the European metal bands I listen to are starting to go downhill, it's especially gratifying to hear a band return so triumphantly to their full potential as Therion have done here. Lemuria/Sirius B will doubtless appear on many "Best of 2004" lists; it certainly will on mine.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Album Of The Year?, June 12, 2004

By	Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

If you were to ask me to compare Therion's music with other artists, I would probably think, and scratch my head, think some more and finally say, there is none. Fact is there is none. Therion is incomparable. I do get a similar feeling from few of the songs of power metal band extraordinaire Thy Majestie and a little from Rhapsody but that's it. I guess nobody else can do it or if the can, don't want to or can't go through the expense of hiring Symphonic orchestras and large choirs.

Therion, brainchild of Swedish musical obergenius Christofer Johnsson, creates the most beautiful heavy metal music imaginable. His use of classical oriented elements in confluence with heavenly choirs and symphonic orchestras is becoming legendary.

Having said that, the new double release Lemuria / Sirius B is just a little heavier than their last five releases. This is not bad, no, it's very good just different, so don't expect a repeat of Theli etc. Lemuria / Sirius B has more metal and even a little electronica but don't worry there's still plenty of the recent Therion to go around.

More than 170 musicians and singers participated in the creation of Lemuria / Sirius B with the recording sessions taking over nine months. With this release, Therion have taken on the challenge of revisiting their roots. Therion have, until now, not been able to meld the harder facets of their early years with the new bombastic symphonic aspects for which Therion have become renown for, like they have on this album!

I like the new direction of Therion. There is nothing wrong with their older material, after all it is all five stars, but this is an exiting change of pace. A fresh perspective from one of the most creative minds in the music industry. I think, in the long run I may like it more.

As usual with Therion, there are no mediocre let alone bad songs. I'm tempted to give all songs five stars but I guess there are a couple that only deserve four and a half stars. This(these) album(s) is(are) in the running for album of the year.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a Class by Itself!, June 1, 2004

By	Mr D. "Artist/Designer/Kibitzer" (Cave Creek, Az United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

My my, Therion's Christofer Johnsson sure has been busy. Not one new album but TWO!

Twenty-one songs! Twenty-one new Therion songs to savor on the new albums, which see Therion taking an overall heavier and a little less melodic direction. A return to their Heavy Metal roots in a couple songs with a touch of raspy growls but it is in conjunction with crunchy guitars and works quite well. This album kind of reminds me of how Dream Theater went heavier on their recent release Train of Thought.

What is the Same

Lemeria and Sirius B still have the elegant soaring choirs we've come to expect in all songs. We still have the familiar Therion Operatic Symphonic Metal sound in about three quarters of the songs, though less pronounced in about half of those.

What is different

Many songs have a stronger more definitive metal presence. A couple songs have elaborate guitar solos. Chistofer Johnsson ingeniously injects the choirs into most of the heavy metal numbers. One very good song, "Kali Yuga part 1", is unrecognizable as Therion. One song Typhon has some Death Metal type Growls and a dance beat and "Feuer Overtüre/Prometheus entfesselt" has some Rammstein style singing. There is a lot more variations from song to song than usual.

For you late comers, here is a little background on Therion. For close to a decade, Therion have been honing their special songwriting style and skills, while pioneering one of metal's newest sub-genres by melding metal with operatic, classical music elements. Numerous bands have attempted to master the highly complex task of fusing ripping metal riffing with symphonic and operatic layers with varied success. Therion on the otherhand, is the creator and preeminent such band and has been able to successfully turn out masterful albums and increase their fan base with each new offering.

Lemuria Track list
1. Typhon
2. Uthark Runa
3. Three ships of Berik, part 1: Calling to arms and fighting the battle

4. Three ships of Berik, part 2: Victory!
5. Lemuria
6. Quetzalcoatl
7. The dreams of Swedenborg
8. An arrow from the Sun
9. Abraxas
10. Feuer Overtüre/Prometheus entfesselt

Sirius B Track list
1. Blood of Kingu
2. Son of the Sun
3. The Khlysti Evangelist
4. Dark Venus Persephone
5. Kali Yuga part 1
6. Kali Yuga part 2
7. The wonderous world of Punt
8. Melek Taus
9. Call of Dagon
10. Sirius B
11. The voyage of Gurdjieff

Summary

If you were hoping Therion's new releases are more of the same wonderful music that was included in Therion albums, Theli through The Secret of the Runes, you may be disappointed. For you, it seems Lemuria may be a safer bet, with more of the older (as opposed to original) style of music with songs such as "Lemuria", "The Dreams of Swedenborg" and "An Arrow from the Sun". However, some of these like "An Arrow from the Sun" and "Son of the Sun" on Surius B have a heavier sound.

Killer Tracks

"Typhon" Therion with a dance beat? Believe it and this isn't the only danceable song. "Typhon" has an uptempo chugging beat and raspy vocals that remind me of Samael with choirs.

"Uthark Runa" Name sounds like something from a John Carter of Mars book but this medium speed song has definite Arabic influences.

"Lemuia" starts slowly with acoustic guitar and an operatic sounding lady singer. This is pretty much a ballad of Therion's older style that picks up nicely and finishes strong.

"Feuer Overtüre/Prometheus entfesselt" a classical feel in the beginning but pretty much a rock number with several styles of singing, Rammstein, clean, multiple vocals and male choir.

"Blood of Kingu" Another song starting out with pomp then quickly becoming a galloping medium fast metal number (sometimes sounding like Black Sabbath) with straight male vocals and an answering lady choir.

"Kali Yuga Part 1" A most interesting song. If you were to play this for me and tell me this was Therion, I'd say sure and Jenna Jameson is a virgin. Kind of an industrial sound with electronically altered vocals, male and female and a slight ethereal feel. This song segues into Part 2

"Kali Yuga Part 2 Tempo picks up and this is a hard driving fast paced number with male and female choirs and a lady singer. Just excellent song.

"Call of Dagon" Kind of a epic sounding number with our operatic lady singer backed by choirs

Conclusion

More than 170 musicians and singers participated in the creation of Lemuria / Sirius B with the recording sessions taking over nine months. With this release, Therion have taken on the challenge of revisiting their roots. Therion have, until now, not been able to meld the harder facets of their early years with the new bombastic symphonic aspects for which Therion have become renown for, like they have on this album!

I like the new direction of Therion. There is nothing wrong with their older material, after all it is all five stars, but this is an exiting change of pace. a fresh perspective from one of the most creative minds in the music industry. I think, in the long run I may like it more.

As usual with Therion, there are no mediocre let alone bad songs. I'm tempted to give all songs five stars but I guess there are a couple that only deserve four and a half stars. This(these) album(s) is(are) in the running for album of the year.