Vovin

Therion

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 26, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 26, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
• ASIN: B000006NL1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #84,745 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A string orchestra glides alongside an electric guitar. A choral vocalist sings over propulsive rock rhythms. Symphonic speed metal comes to life on Vovin. Bandleader Christofer Johnsson has fashioned a powerful classical-metal hybrid that displays how the potent elements of the two divergent genres can be fused. Indeed, the recording is so cohesive and robust that it feels like the strings, choral singers, and band are performing simultaneously. Other surprises include the scarcity of rock vocals throughout and the charming Middle Eastern overtones found on the opening track, "The Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah." Purists may find Vovin unacceptable, but that's the price of progress. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What...!?, January 16, 2003

By	Timothy R. Ellis (ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just picked this up today, and let me say as a hardcore tristania fan, this makes "Beyond the Veil" sound like "Follow the Leader." "Beyond the veil" is my favorite tristania album, and was also my fav opera-metal band until i picked up this gem. This is simply the most amazingly constructed orchestra/opera/metal hybrid compilation i've ever lent my ears to. All the songs are great, but in my opinion, the best song is "Wine of Alvqah," track 3, it's very catchy and will energize you and make your foot tap like crazy throughout the whole song. Track 5, "The Wild Hunt," sounds like Iron Maiden kidnapped an operatic choir and went on a mescaline binge for 3 days, then wrote a song, it's crazy but in a really cool way. This CD's good. I'm talking "Blackwater Park," yes...it's possible to get that feeling again. Have you any dignity? The sooner you buy this CD the less time you'll have to think about having it, just get it now for the love OF GOD!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING!![...], October 17, 2001

By	andy evans (gaithersburg, md) - See all my reviews

This is the first album i've ever bought of Therion, and it just amazed me! It is so brilliantly composed. The orchestra just goes perfectly with the guitar work. Therion does have progressive metal in them but darker. The orchestra, choir, keyboards just sound great. The guitars just sound so good. This album is just incredible. If you liked this one a lot, check out Deggial.I really like the direction Therion is going in, i can tell Johnson has some Mozart, Beethoven influence.I also recommened Theli. GET THIS ALBUM!![...]

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Play this album for anybody who think that metal is crude., November 20, 2000

By	Matthew Graybosch "programmer_cat" (Waterbury, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Therion might have started out as just another Black Metal act, but they have evolved into something much darker, and far more beautiful.

The operatic metal of _Vovin_ is a true treat that evokes memories of classic 70s progressive bands like King Crimson and Renaissance, yet also invokes the hellacious fury of Black Sabbath, Venom, and Mercyful Fate. Yet in _Vovin_, Therion summons a sound that transcends both influences in a kind of auditory alchemy that left me breathless.

Highlights include "Wine of Aluqah" with its stirring violin and guitar finish, the dark sweetness of "Clavicula Nox", the driving beat of "The Wild Hunt" and the sheer foreboding of "Black Sun". However, if you only listen for the highlights, you miss the greater beauty, for _Vovin_ is on the whole one of the most elegant black metal albums ever released, surpassed only by _Deggial_.