Sanctus Ignis

Adagio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 26, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: LMP
• ASIN: B00005B534
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,834 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Second Sight

2. The Inner Road

3. In Nomine

4. The Stringless Violin

5. Forté, Stephanen Lands of Sin

6. Order of Enlil [Instrumental]

7. Sanctus Ignis

8. Paneut et Circences

9. Immigrant Song

10. Niflheim [Instrumental]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is some top-quality music here!, November 12, 2003

By 

geetarfreak "Chris Roper" (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanctus Ignis (Audio CD)

Adagio was an experiment for me. I love it when my expectations are surpassed. Every song on this disc is really awesome. There may be an ever-so-slight Symphony X flavor, but Adagio is certainly unique. There is a very strong classical presence here, especially with the keys. Unlike most classical rockers, which tend to have the same drum beat in every song, Adagio maintains the ever changing element of Prog. Singer David Readman is awesome. His range and power is phenominal. I consider him one of the best singers in the genre. Stephan Forte is a world class musician, not just a great guitarist. His solos are tasty, yet display a measure of melodic restraint. The keys are very strong as well. The drums are also very strong. Again, not the typical constant doublebass that many power metal bands use. All the songs are great, but "Second Sight" really gets the album off to a good start is is the most solid song on the album. Buy this album, I HIGHLY recommend it!

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't believe your ears, September 30, 2003

By 

Matt Stoessel (Tolland, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sanctus Ignis (Audio CD)

Some of you came here for reviews, but see "Stratovarius meets Dream Theater. nuff said" and wanna laugh. I'm here to help.

Mabye I've only had the CD for 8 days, but sounding like Symphony X, it's easy to pick out how Adagio sounds. Also, they sound quite like a particular element of Rhapsody, but I can't put my finger on it right now... As I said before, they sound like Symphony X. Well, combine that with... let's call it 80% Symphony X, 20% Rhapsody. This should get you close to what you'll hear on Sanctus Ignis.

Somewhere I got the impression that this band is more hard rock-ish than metal. WRONG! Imagine a heavier Symphony X with better, less obvious keyboards. There aren't any abnormal sounds - just the regualar atmoshphericness the keyboards create. The biggest problem I have with this CD is the bass on the last song. It blisters my ears and makes them bleed! Do you have Amon Amarth's CD "Versus the World"? On the bonus disk's last 5 or so songs, the bass sounds like this. A better way to describe it would be to say an older death metal bass sound. That might be hard to understand for melodic metal fans. Well, sorry, I can't think of any better way to describe it.

Again, I've had this CD barely more than a week and have only listened to it twice, but I can tell you a bit about how good some of the songs are. First of all, there aren't many lyrics - there are I think 3 entirely instrumental songs on here. Track 5 is an 11:40 minute epic - pretty long, huh? Like many other great epics, it changes speed a lot. You should get into it if you like Stratovarius's epics, and even Avantasia's "The Tower". Back to the opener... it's not an intro. Track 1 is over 6 minutes and has one of the coolest keyboard beats I've ever heard around the 1 minute mark. That should definetely draw you into the album - dying to hear more. The only other thing I can remember is that the epic is followed by a 4 minute instrumental song.

Also, Limb Music Products includes the band's founder's life story with music. I found that wonderfully interesting to read. So overall, if you're deciding to buy this album, check out Odessey (by Symphony X) and think about what you think of some of the epics you have heard. Then, tell me if my review helped you or not - other people want to know. THEN, after that, check out my other reviews.

You know, right now, I'm listening to the closer on Episode, by Stratovarius. "Night Time Eclipse" is short for an epic, but displays all the characteristics for an epic you should need to be aware of to know what Sanctus Ignis's epic sounds like.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Display of Symphonic Prog Power Talent, July 2, 2001

By 

Lee C. Ratcliffe (Tucson, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanctus Ignis (Audio CD)

I must admit - I was a bit skeptical upon my first listen to "Sanctus Ignis", primarily due to the potential for major Symphony X plagarism. However, upon subsequent listens, this recording has grown on me in many ways. Adagio's writing technique is unique and powerful, not to mention each musician's virtuosity on his instrument. Foremost, Stephen Forte is simply a guitar prodigy, and his keyboard programming really shines as well. Richard Andersson (Majestic) has a clean, precise tone to his speedy runs and arpeggios. Dirk Bruinenberg (Elegy) is a powerful, fast and tasteful drummer, who compliments each arrangement while still adding force. David Readman (Pink Cream 69) is a wonderful singer, reminding me of Stephen Fredrick of Kenziner or even D.C. Cooper. And last but not least, Franck Hermanny on bass is just the low end that Adagio neeeded to complete a successful neoclassical progmetal epic such as this. All in all, "Sanctus Ignis" is a wondefull addition to any progmetal fan's collection, uniting strong classical elements with powerful and complex arrangements, all while keeping a strong sense of style and talent. The most memorable part for me would be on track 3, "In Nomine..." when the thunderous double bass groove kicks in right after a melodic classical interlude...genius!