Japanese edition of the second album from metal act led by French guitarist Stephan Forte has earliest release & features 9 tracks including one bonus track, 'Missa Aeterna'. Marquee. 2003.
Japanese edition of the second album from metal act led by French guitarist Stephan Forte has earliest release & features 9 tracks including one bonus track, 'Missa Aeterna'. Marquee. 2003.
Inhuman | Washington, DC United States | 06/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What can I say about this album that has not already been said? I think I'd agree with all the positive reviews so far and add something about the atmosphere, because the ambience is albeit an intagible, a very important element in the music. A criticism I have towards a lot of good prog bands these days is that they lack atmosphere. Well look no further than Adagio's sophomore release Underworld and you'll be crushed with atmosphere. The magestic orchestral arrangements, very heavy guitar riffs and powerful vocals give this music an edge few bands have. Multi-coloured arrangements with beautiful soaring harmonies and discordant atonal passages with choirs in the background blend here to form an atmosphere that is in overall pretty damn dark for a prog band. The orchestrations and interplay between guitars vary between a very technical Dream Theatery style to a more sombre and aggressive almost black metal vibe. In overall this album is an epic and multi-faceted pieace of music that will please the fans of Symphony X and Craddle of Filth alike and is a must have for any metalhead or musician."
Symphony X watch out!
Scott Ramsdell | 06/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These guys have very obviously listened to a lot of symphony x -but they are great. The musicianship and vocals are first rate here -not a cheap copy. They do sound very much like x though-with more of the symphonic element-which I like very much.I wish x would stick with this format instead of going for the more guitar dominated sound on many of the tracks onThe Odyssey. That is what sets this band and X apart from the rest. There is no cheese here-just excellent heavy symphonic metal at its best! This is the best band since Symphony X and Pagan's Mind!"
"First of all, this is music done with passion and dedication.
Why? Because you can hear it.No slouch can make this music.A lot of thought is put in the arrangements of every single instrument, all the musicians shine in their own right, not just the guitar player (and he is the brainchild behind all this).A musician friend of mine told me that the only thing that he misses are more catchy and powerful choruses.Well, in my opinion these qualities are here.
The style is sort of Symphony X (circa Divine Wings era) mixed with Star Wars soundtrack meets Castlevania 3 game soundtrack.The results are awe-inspiring.You just can not find anything else in the music world so classy and tastefully done.How can the band make something as good as this again?
Can't wait."
Neoclassic brilliance
aiylyn | Washington, Mi United States | 03/11/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's not that the neo-classical side of metal is bloated or overpopulated. Its just that, like it or not, there is that "you've heard one, you've heard them all" tendency. Fortunately, Stephan Forte understands that just having lush orchestras and choirs doesn't make music good by itself - compositional skill is required. Thus Underworld is an album that offers up some really good, epic songs. The link to Sanctus Ignis is evident, while at the same time two songs feature blast beats and screams, without pounding you over the head with it. Overall, Underworld is an intensely orchestral experience; I actually have the feeling of being in a concert hall watching a symphony performance accompanied by distorted guitars and drumset, as opposed to the usual formula of metal augmented by strings. The effect is subtle but it leaves its mark on you when you really listen. I can't get enough of the ballad "Promises," and the closing instrumental is fantastic from start to finish as well. There is no filler here. If your diet is neoclassical and metal, this is the main course."
A Grand New Sound for Power Metal
Scott Ramsdell | Lincoln, California United States | 02/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have to say this album was worth the wait. When I heard thier debut album Sanctus Ignis in 2001, I was absolutly blown away. I had previously come from a relitivly short ancestry of such musical talents like Blind Guardian, Rhapsody and Nightwish. When I heard Adagio I was floored. They have the sound and the talents I had never expected from any metal bands. It is absolutly one of a kind. I adore their neo-classical metal sound and I love Stephan Forte's song writting. To add to all this David Readman is the perfect vocalist for such a great band. He has that dark gothic touch without going overboard. I then began to apreciate the others like Dirk Brunenberg the drummer, he is one of the best i've heard. The keys player is awsome and the bassist is great! All this comes to make one remarkable band. Underworld is one of the best new releases out there. If your into Y. Malmsteen or Rhapsody this is a great combo of the two. The best of the best songs I would say are tracks 2,5,7,8, and 9 the others are also great. Invest in this, its money very well spent. The first word I said to describe this album about 10 seconds into it was, "Magnificent"."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1