Description

Still sealed French 2000 press with one bonus track

Labyrinths follow up to its highly acclaimed second album Return To Heaven Denied with this rather interesting piece of historical fiction set to music. Although musically this album has very little in common with the baroque dances common during the reign of Louis XIV, it is quite an interesting listen and gives insights into the minds of the bands principle composers, exposing an optimistic view of the power of love and how it can alter the nature of an ordinarily dark character. Although this album is even more musically and technically ambitious than its predecessor, it suffers a bit in the production department. The overwhelming presence of the keyboards and the vocals occasionally dwarfs the guitars, Anders lead tracks are a bit too high end while Olafs are not loud enough at times, the bass and the drums have a hard time piercing through the wall of sound at various moments, and Mats drum tracks do not have the thunderous presence that they had before. Although it doesnt rank as being poorly produced, it is inferior to the clean and crisp sound that made Return to Heaven Denied a truly amazing listen. To all fans of Power and Progressive Metal, this is a good listen, although it is a slight step down from the magnum opus that swept Italy with almost the same amount of power as Rhapsodys debut did. If you like Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Freedom Call, or Queensryche then this album will treat you well.

Track listing:
1. Chapter 1
2. Kathryn
3. Sons Of Thunder
4. Elegy
5. Behind The Mask
6. Touch The Rainbow
7. Rage Of The King
8. Save Me
9. Love
10. I Feel You
11. Call Me