Customer Reviews

Sanctus Ignis

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

I must say I am very impressed with Adagio. They have everything I look for in epic Metal. They have that classical element, a good combination of guitar and keyboard solos, the singer is okay, but the drummer is really good. My favourite songs on this album are: "The Stringless Violin", "Forte, Stephan Lands of Sin", and "Santus Ignis". Overall this band is a great buy and highly recommended for fans of "Blind Guardian", "Kamelot", "Symphony X", "Rhapsody", and "Dragon Force".

IF you like bands like symphony x or rhapsody you will love these guys. stephan forte the guitarist has some great chops, sounding like a cross of yngwie malmsteens classical style and tony macalpines wild neck sweeps, and keyboard duels. the songs are all pretty good too. my fav songs second sight, the inner road, the rhapsody sounding in nomine, the stringless violin. the first four tacks are really good. lands of sin which runs a little over 11 minutes has a awsome guitar solo half way through.

awsome band guitars drums singer everything sounds awsome.

This band blows me away! Everything is there-instrumentation-vocals-excellent songs-WOW. Symphony X is my favorite band but this is like Symphony X with a little more of the orchestral/symphonic influence although the music is very heavy with a darker atmosphere at times. This band really does sound very much like Symphony X-even the vocals-although this is not quite as guitar dominated. If you heard this for the first time, you would think it was Synphony x-it is that good. I do like the more symphonic quality of this bands 2 releases-this is more like V or the Odyssey although the songwriting is not as original as X. This is the direction I wish X would stay in-i love this bands 2 releases.

I bought Sanctus Ignis because everyone who was into the same bands as me seemed to enjoy it. I wasn't disappointed - the album is spectacular. The influences are pretty apparent (Yngwie, early Symphony X, Bach, and a few more that are listed in the liner notes), but it's a very unique sound. Excellent musicianship and vocals, the songs are great. If you like neoclassical metal with a touch of prog, check this out.

Every now and then, but not to often will an album just come along and really just blow you away. I havent been able to stop listening to this album since I got it a year ago. If you love bands like Stratovarious and Symphony X you really must pick up this album. Steven's classically inspired complex arangements of Synth/Organ and Shred Guitar leans torwards Symphony X meets ELP..but still maintaining its own unique feel..Definately check out Stringless Violin, which is definately this albums stand out song..but dont worry, you will not find yourself skipping songs just to hear that one, since all the other tracks compliment that one nicely. Steven also did a awesome job on The Immagrant Song, which I had to listen to about 20 times to even start to hear some Zepplin in it, its not really a cover, more like a new take on an old theme.
....A few things I didnt like about this album: Steven tends to "overuse" that churchy pipe organ sound which drowns out the guitar on a few tracks and which gives the album a sort of religious feel to it, not to mention a few songs do have religious themes in its lyrics...Im not sure if that was the intention or not, but it does give the album a Main Theme or "feel"...

The comparisons to Symphony X are inevitable for this band. They combine progressive leanings, classical structures and interludes with metal much like their New Jersey forerunners. However the feeling is much darker. Overall I don't think their songs are as well developed or the vocals as powerful, but this is still 5 star material. Stephen Forte is an absolute monster on the guitar...he plays a lot of Michael Romeo style runs ie. blindingly fast with a lot of intricate tapping and weird atonal stuff. He tends to do longer runs in the vein of Romeo's Dark Chapter or early Symphony X stuff. It is a little more superfluous or excessive but I like that. However, his rhythm playing isn't quite up to par with Romeo's IMO. The rest of the instruments are played at virtuoso levels as well (especially the keys). An excellent first cd and I look forward to follow up releases by this band.

An exceptional album, which places "Adagio" as equals among guitar demi-Gods. I would say, that this band blends symphonic metal with progressive rock. The technique is equal and even higher than that of guitar virtuoso, reminds the best moments of Blackmore and Malmsteen. But composing of "Adagio" is outstanding, based on more sofisticated and refined tradition (France doesn't need to borrow anything - Saint-Preux "To Be Or Not")and getting inspired directly by baroque music. A real masterpiece of great talent and educated taste. Deserves 6 stars. As a living fossil (born more than 50 years ago), I am really impressed and pleased. Bonne chance and meilleurs voeux!