Adagio - Archangels in Black

      Adagio is a symphonic, gothic, progressive metal band from France…I know I know but don’t let that bother you too much. They are actually quite good. I have not heard all of Adagio’s albums but I have heard a few. Adagio’s first release was a neo-classical progressive power style album called Sanctus Ignis. Their second release Underworld stays in the neo-classical progressive vein but starts to get darker. Adagio’s third album Dominate progresses on this metamorphous even more. Dominate marks a pretty drastic change in Adagio’s style. They become more heavy and powerful and pick up a distinctly gothic sound. They even add some extreme vocals. Now comes their fourth studio album Archangels in Black.

     When I first purchased Archangels in Black I was struck by the album cover art. As you can see it is very dark and emotional def a powerful album cover. So even before I started listening I was expecting to be pounded by darkness and power. My prediction def proved true.

     Archangels opens up with Vamphyri a very dark song with some nice heavy riffing. Stéphan Forté’s guitar playing is on point there are some great riffs and solos in this song. The chorus is also very catchy. I was worried when I heard that they had a new singer but Christian Palin does not disappoint. His voice fits the music perfectly. A great opener.

      The next song takes on a journey along The Astral Pathway. This song picks up right where Vamphyri leaves off. More darkness and beauty mixed so perfectly. After The Astral Pathway we take a trip to the Fear Circus. Fear Circus could be my favorite song on the entire album. Fear Circus opens up with those crunchy guitar riffs that have come to define the “new” Adagio. The chorus on this song is one of my top 20 favorite choruses of all time. I’m not exaggerating it’s that good. There is also a great solo and the drums throughout the song are awesome.

     Undead is the next song and it is every bit as dark and beautiful as the rest of the album. There is def a connection with vampires and the Dark Archangels… are they the same thing? The entire album seems to focus on this and the Apocalypse. Undead’s lyrics would almost be at home in a Cannibal Corpse song…well maybe not that close but they are def dark and disturbing.

     The title track its self is next on the play list. Hmmm I really don’t know…this song is a little disappointing to me. I expected more from the title track I suppose not to say it’s bad, just wanted more. It’s not as epic as I expected. Just when I start to think that the album could use a little more variation comes The Fifth Ankh. It really is a very close race between this and Fear Circus for the best songs on the album. Out of curiosity I looked up my play counts on iTunes and The Fifth Ankh was ahead by two plays so I suppose I must like this song more? Well I don’t know like I said it’s really close. The Fifth Ankh has everything you could want in a metal song great guitar playing, enough variation to keep it interesting, and another amazingly catchy chorus that you will def find yourself singing at random times.

     Codex Oscura the longest song on the album starts out with a creepy piano piece, which I find to be slightly annoying. I suppose they felt like they needed a change of pace here. Then comes the ominous drum, where are the dark crunching guitar riffs? Ohhh there they are. Codex isn’t quite as up tempo as the rest of the songs on the album up to this point. It is actually a great change of pace. My ears need a rest from the bombastic apocalypse they have been receiving for the last half hour. There are some really wonderful melodic guitar riffs and solos on Codex. It’s def a keeper.

     Twilight at Dawn is a pretty unremarkable song. It’s kind of what I think the album would sound like without any of the catchiness or melodic parts. It is a more raw song. There is a noteworthy haunting solo in the middle but other than that its ehh. The closing track Getsu Senshi is a decent track. There is a nice chorus good guitar and a fine way to close out the album. It seems to end a little abruptly but that is my only complaint with the song.

     In the end I feel that the album did all it set out to do which was to create a dark brutal and yet beautiful picture of the apocalypse. There are some rough parts that I think could use some ironing out, but overall I like the new sound of Adagio. Older fans may not like the direction Adagio has gone in, with the darker feel and power, but all they are doing is continuing to grow. I am interested in what the next album will sound like how far can they take this darkness and beauty? I give Adagio Archangels in Black an 8/10. There are some mehh songs but there are some truly beautiful and wonderful tracks here. Go get it!