[schema type=”review” name=”Serenity – Codex Atlanticus” description=”Label: Napalm Records” author=”Gamze Öyünc” pubdate=”2016-01-26″ ]
Austrian symphonic power metal band Serenity came back with their 5th album “Codex Atlanticus”. They were formed in 2004 in Austria and since then the band has gathered incredible momentum among the symphonic rock/metal scene and the fans of this genre. With this album they are much more valorous and ostentatious with their music, future live-shows and with their overall attitude.
The band has only male vocals by Georg Neuhauser this time around on this album. There is also another male vocalist, Fabio D’Amore featuring in some of the tracks. I gotta say, I am quite taken up with Neuhauser’s clean, full-on operatic and discernable vocals; although, some might say his vocals sound pretty poppy for the power metal genre but this is how I like to hear my vocals with this kind of already-powerful, very well-arranged metal music. Like in the band’s past, one expects to hear female vocals in some parts to color up the music but this album contains none. Maybe in the future, they will include strong and lovely female vocals to support the story-telling nature of the Serenity songs either live or in recording.
The album starts off with the grand opening by the track which has the same title of the album and then amazing piano and melodic riffs of “Follow Me” kicks in. This track is my favorite off the album with an absolutely catchy everything; with the melody, heavy riffs, orchestral refrain and tasty guitar solos. Suddenly, you find yourself in a musical about a protoganist who has found himself in a gripping adventure. If you like classical music and metal with clean vocals, it seems you lucked out with this album. The story-telling theme makes the whole atmosphere of the album beautifully lyrical, and epic. The most outstanding tracks for me have been; “Caught In A Myth” with insanely catchy melodies, and “Reason” with a moving, sentimental intro and unfolding of a spirited story. The first single and video song choice “Spirit In The Flesh” is more in the power metal vein. It takes you on a gallant journey. Symphonic arrangements of the tracks are impressive and sound like they were recorded live.
If you like this symphonic genre with powerful vocals, and music and if you live in Europe, you need to catch Serenity live with Xandria touring in Europe starting from February, and with Kamelot this spring from April on.
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Tracklist:
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