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4.0 out of 5 stars
A more mature Labyrinth, December 9, 2006
So what if the latest Labyrinth album doesn't sound like the band's earlier efforts? So what if it isn't the same kind of Italian power metal you're used to? If you want Italian power metal that's never going to change, go listen to the latest swords & sorcery epic from Rhapsody (sorry, Rhapsody of Fire). Labyrinth is, like it or not, a progressive metal band. This means they should be PROGRESSING as a band and continually developing their style, which is exactly what they've done with their 2005 album Freeman.
Freeman is a more mature, more progressive Labyrinth album, and to my ears it is the band's most accomplished work since Return to Heaven Denied. It is still unmistakably a metal album, but one that leans more towards Pain of Salvation and later Fates Warning as influences. This is an intelligent and emotional album (thanks in large part to vocalist Roberto Tiranti's heartfelt delivery), and one that is progressive without trying to overwhelm the listener with over the top technicality. I'm sure this is what the band was trying to achieve with their 2003 transitional self-titled album, but Freeman grabbed me right from the start in a way that the previous album failed to do.
Old school Labyrinth fans and power metal purists may moan about this one, but progressive metal fans should be quite pleased with the more mature metal Labyrinth delivers on Freeman.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
I have an interesting relationship with this album, December 6, 2005
I have come to realize that I have an interesting relationship with this album. I really like it, but it isn't one of my favorites in my entire collection. It is not an awesome album, and I probably would not recommend it to people as their first taste of Labyrinth. I actually hesitate playing it at times, almost like I don't really want to. And yet, when I do, I LOVE listening to it. And so . . . I realized I NEEDED to write this review as a recommendation for a pretty solid album, and to get these crazy, contradictory thoughts off my chest.
While none of the songs would be in my top 5 favorite Labyrinth songs (though a couple are close), every one on this album is quite solid. There is not a bad one in the bunch. Lyrically, they cover a diverse selection of topics, which has pretty much been a staple for this band.
In interviews, the band has expressed that this was the album they wanted to do after Olaf Thorsen left, after The Sons of Thunder tour. However, the fans never would have been ready for it, as it is quite a departure from what they had done earlier. And so, they came out with their self-titled album. That album provided a nice transition from the "old" Labyrinth sound to the "new" Labyrinth sound, combining strong elements of both. In retrospect, I think that was a very wise decision - that album happens to be my favorite of theirs.
This album takes that "new" sound even further, seeing the band venture a little farther down Experimental Lane by trying new ideas. And it works for these Italians. It works very well, as a matter of fact - which is why I am so impressed with them as a band. It is a testament to their talent and attitude. (When other bands, like Dokken, KISS, or Queensryche have tried a "new, modern" sound, it has just plain sucked and has smacked of pandering to the demands of the American Music Industry to "stay relevant"). Freeman has just enough of a subtle "modern" metal, or nu-metal, or even <gasp!> alternative metal sound (something I typically avoid like the plague, just out of principle alone), to keep it unique and interesting . . . and I don't get the sense that they are doing that for any other reason than to have fun with the music they love. In other words, it sounds very genuine - unlike the other bands I mentioned. They are moving slightly away from, and successfully avoiding, all the typical power metal cliches that Thorsen had brought to the band, while still maintaining the important hallmarks of progressive, power metal - and it works well for them. And please understand: this is coming from someone who likes all those power metal cliches - for crying out loud, I'm a big fan of their Italian brethren, Rhapsody.
Which is exactly why I have this interesting relationship with this album. By all accounts, I probably shouldn't like it as much as I do. Yet there you have it: I do like it. Not enough to give it 5 stars, but 4 covers it pretty well.
My suggestion is to wait for its US domestic release, so as not to pay the import price (unless, of course, you are the biggest Labyrinth fan in the world . . . in which case, knock yourself out), but it would certainly be well worth 14 or 15 dollars for any Labyrinth fan to buy it once it is released here.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Oh My, September 1, 2005
This was a huge disappointment when I bought this album back in May,I gave it a one star but I grew to like it kind of.They have rock on this album which I just hate,don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with rock,I just don't like it on this album.I don't like the keyboards because there techno sounding.This is a much slower album then all of there rest,the solo's are weak,not much shredding on this album like in the past but there still good.The lyrics are much different on this album,different style(there good),all the lyrics done by Roberto Tiranti, all the solo's are done by Andrea Cantarelli.This is not a power metal album they have changed and I don't like that, this is more of a proggressive metal album(but I don't know,it's hard to describe their style now).You will be blown away in a good way or a bad way once you hear this album.I want Labyrinth to make another album like RTHD.
L.Y.A.F.H.(Light Years Away From Here)-This song has a cool intro to it then starts off as metal then goes into a ballad then metal then ballad.Slow song.The solo is weak on this song.
Deserter-Same thing as L.Y.A.F.H. but ballad then metal and so on and so on.The solo is good on this song(shredding).
Dive In Open Waters-This is there most aggressive and fastest song on the album.The solo is good,it goes the same time as the keyboards.I hate the way the keyboards sound at the end of the song(techno).I also hate the way the song ends,it sounds like the cd skips but that's the way it is.
Freeman-Another slow song.The solo is very weak(come on Andrea!)Here are some lyrics to this song,
Where is my God maybe he has forgotten
Or is just careless now.
The thing I hate about this song is during the middle of the song the keyboards are dance music sounding they sound like Chris Pontius's dance music from Jackass,well to me it sounds like it.
M3-I don't like this song,I don't know how to descibe this song, the only thing I like about this song is the high scream Roberto Tiranti does at the end of the song,he has the best high screams.
Face And Pay- Slow song but good,it gets fast a couple of times.The solo is good(shredding).The thing I hate about this song is the rock during the middle of the song before the solo(pure seventies rock,jazz),you will be blown away when you here it,that part is not good but everyone has there own opinion.
Malcom Grey- The song has a wicked intro then comes in the piano then the guitar.During the verse Roberto Tiranti talks and that's awesome(wicked sounding).Here are some lyrics to this song,
My hands are red of blood
But it's not mine
Inside me there's no light and a frozen soul
I can't understand but I like it.
Nothing New- The solo is great(shredding).This is one of the faster songs on the album.The thing I love about this song is the thrash beats with the solo(during the middle of the song).
Infidels- This has an intro to the song where a phone is ringing with number ten being counted down to zero.This is a slow song.This is kind of aggressive.Idon't like the keyboard solo on this song(techno sounding).
Meanings- I don't like this song at all,it's weird.After this song is over,Roberto Tiranti sings without any music,it's cool.
REMEMBER,THIS IS A MUCH SLOWER ALBUM AND WAY DIFFERENT! THIS COVER SUCKS!
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