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Adagio > Underworld > Reviews > Mithr4ndir
Adagio - Underworld

This sounds like Symphony X? BULLSHIT - 100%

Mithr4ndir, March 24th, 2008

Anyone who says that this is mindless emulation of Symphony X is so full of bullshit that I'm surprised they can stand up and walk around. There is a difference between progressive metal (Symphony X) and neo-classical metal(Adagio). But apparently the difference is too subtle for most people. Chh. Anyway, that's enough of that, To the music!

Right from the enigmatic opening of Next Profundis, we can tell that we have waded headfirst into an album filled to the brim with neo-classical godliness. Forte's guitar tone is magnificent through-out the whole thing, whether or not he's having fun with note-filled neo-classical shred that would make Yngwie proud, or showing off his melodic side. There's just really not enough to say about Forte's guitar tone. It's just eargasm after eargasm. BUT, it's not ALL classical. There are some EXCELLENT heavy riffs in this music as well.

Even though Forte's guitar work and song-writing skills are fantastic, he is NOT the high point of this album. That belongs to the vocal brilliance of Mr. David Readman, who IS the greatest singer alive today, WITHOUT question. There is no way to describe his sound to someone who hasn't heard it previously, as there is nobody to compare him too. He is unique in the vocal world which is saying something. He sings with such passion and energy that it's almost infective. He turns what would have just above average neo-classical songs into masterpieces.

The keyboard work in this album is just as fantastic. And the fact that an actual piano is used adds depth to the counter-melodies that the keyboard is providing. Not to mention the blistering speed that Kevin Codfert is able to perform. The piano in the beginning of Next Profundis is so amazingly fast, you wonder if you're listening to some of the great pianists of old.

The bassist and drummers mainly stay in the background giving this music a nice solid backbone. Sometimes though, Dirk Bruinenberg decides to go ape-shit on us and pound out some double-bass action that surpasses the typical "machine gun" and gives some rather eccentric, double bass patterns.

In my eyes, the opening song Next Profundis and the close The Mirror Stage are the two finest songs on here, but don't let them detract from the grandness of the middle songs, as they are fantastic as well, but don't be surprised if you find yourself putting the opener and closer on repeat for a few hours.

Overall, if you're a fan of neo-classical excellence, buy this album. It is the pinnacle of the genre.

If you want something that sounds like Symphony X, STAY THE FUCK AWAY.

High Points: Next Profundis, The Mirror Stage, and Underworld
Low Points: Crying when it's over