Krypteria - In Medias Res
Krypteria's In Medias Res has obtained a lot of negative reviews in the metal world and most of those don't do this album justice. I would like to cite several simple reasons and tell you about the true quality of this record and how you should take it.
First of all, this is no metal record and it might not be fair to judge this album from the restricted view of a pure metal maniac. This album is based on classic music and convinces with a lot of piano work, some decent orchestrations and the use of choirs. The few rock passages on this record are rather soft and melodic. They underline the orchestral elegance and the simplistic lyrics that mostly talk about fate, love and relationships. The main public of this record might be fans of soft rock ballads, medieval music or classic music. If this doesn't appeal, just don't try it and stop bashing the album in a non-objective way.
Second, many people claim that all songs sound similar on this record. It's true that the songs turn all around the same topic and have the same influences but we have some variation here from dynamic symphonic rock tracks like the opener "Victoriam Speramus", to modern electronic lounge sounds in the hypnotizing "No More Lies" or new age folk influences in "Quae Leatitia" or simple piano ballads like "Concordia" to calm and acoustic pieces like the closing "Carol Of The Bells". One notices that this is a rather calm and introspective record that should please to fans of bands and musicians such as Adiemus, Enigma, Enya, Era and Loreena McKennitt. This is an album for calm, romantic and meditative hours. If you're looking for energizing symphonic metal, you should check out the three recent releases of the band but definitely not the first two.
Third, many people say that the album is boring. They say that it has no engaging passages. This is not true because there are many catchy parts in almost every song and there are many potential commercial single hits on this record. Of course, this is an album for special occasions because there aren’t any rhythm orientated or faster tracks on the album and that's why not only many rock and metal fans quickly lose interest. There is some little variation within the record but the amount of diversity and creativity is not elevated enough to be a truly great conceptual record and project.
Fourth, critics say that the lyrics of the album are rather weak. This point is definitely true. The concept could have been more original and diversified than it finally is. It's a conceptual album about love and fate but it lacks of something outstanding. I still wouldn't say that the lyrics are completely missed as the simplistic lyrics fit to the slow pace of the record and give it a certain appeasing charm.
Fifth, some people judged the production of the record as weak. I would confirm that fact. Especially the guitars sound horribly weak, the bass guitar is almost inaudible and the drums are maybe the weakest point to listen up. But on the other side, the weak and inoffensive production fits quite well to the soft atmosphere. The question is if this effect was planned or not but if it was planned, I can't criticize this fact and must say that everything fits rather well together once again and one must see this album as a whole piece of art where everything is planned and done for a certain reason.
In the end, as you can see in all five points that I have discussed, every so called weak side of the record can also be seen as a force and fits well to the lyrics and the concept. I happen to be able to appreciate the record at certain times because I'm rather open-minded towards classic music and musicals. This record may not be a masterpiece or a highlight of its genre honestly said. There is no single outstanding track on the album. I feel a lack of passion and true emotions at some point. The sound could be more bombastic and epic for this kind of concept. Nevertheless, the album as a whole works quite well. This record is indeed a unique modern piece of classic music with rock and new age influences and should get more attention and respect than it has right now. This record should though get promoted outside of the metal scene and may please to fans of classic music, new age, soft rock, introspective pop and a mixture of all of this.
copas from http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Krypteria/In_Medias_Res/140058/
Tracklist:
[03:54] 01. Victoriam Speramus
[04:43] 02. Will You Be There For Me
[04:43] 03. Why
[03:45] 04. No More Lies
[04:38] 05. Quae Laetitia
[04:37] 06. Always And Forever
[04:01] 07. Concordia
[03:26] 08. Save Me
[05:00] 09. Animus Liber
[05:07] 10. You & I
[03:10] 11. Going My Way
[03:57] 12. The Tears I Cry
[02:48] 13. Carol Of The Bells
TKP
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