Quite definitely the most overblown rock music you will ever hear. EVER.

Think melodic operatic power rock/metal with full orchestra, choir, revolving band, the complete works, and several kitchen sinks thrown in for good measure.

Released in the USA in 2009 and going gold within 2 months, it gets a European release in February 2011 to coincide with a European tour.

The concept / project was originally put together by 2 members of Savatage, including Jon Oliva, in the early 90s and this is their fifth album. A 2CD and to call it a rock opera is an understatement, it is more on par with Wagner's Ring Cycle.

Think I'm overblowing it? They did that themselves already; there are seven solo vocalists including Jeff Scott Soto, 29 backup vocalists, gospel choir, child choir, 18 in the main band (including Al Pitrelli, Paul O'Neill, Jon Oliva, Alex Skolnick) and 9 strings. And amongst the additional guests is bassist Greg Lake. PHEW!

The heavy metal concepts derive from Savatage, a superb if underrated metal band, but this has so many layers. There's melody, shred guitar, opera, in fact there's not much that isn't here. The tunes range from metal to whimsical and back again too.

Strap a Savatage or two to one ear, two orchestras to the other, then strap yourself to an atom bomb and you get the idea. And by all accounts their live shows are just as big.

****

Review by Joe Geesin

Interview

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