Eppur si muove

Haggard released this album in the same vein it's predecessor, following a storytelling sequence about famous literate idols. In Awaking the Centuries it was Nostradamus, in this album, we find Gaileo Galilei as a central figure. The production on this release is quite amazing, all the elements blend in with the excellent songwritting, by Asis Nasseri, the composer, lyricist, vocalist and leading guitar.

'All'inizio È la Morte': This album starts with a great piece with a rather classical beginning, with an imposing chorus and excellent musicianship in all instruments. As string instruments start, a raspy and dark voice starts, Asis Nasseri with a more spoken style in german onto around 2:30, where the female singer creates a striking appearance. Around the 3 minute mark, the metal part begins with imponence and growled vocals. The display on this opening song is excellent, the sliding of the choruses is astounding. The drumwork is excellent, along with the violin creating a beautiful atmosphere. The highlights on this song are the female vocal work, violin, cello.

'Menuetto in Fa-Minore': First all-around instrumental song, it doesnt carry necessarily a dark atmosphere [Haggard does not focus on dark style, more medieval altogether]. It's a composition full of exquisite violing and cello work, no percussion or extra elements.

'Per Aspera Ad Astra': An excellent song, with a powerful intro, with the female vocals blending into the mix and one by one instruments begin to appear, as a more melodic Nasseri growl kicks in, performing insightful lyrics. The highlight on this song is definitely the guitars. It follows some breakdowns in the rythm, to a more slow paced song. First incursion of male clean vocals, with some real vibration. Above the 3 minute line, a breakdown of instruments onto an instrumental passage, after such part, the metal potion starts to fade in. A very memorable piece, with an unmistakeable tune.

'Of a Might Divine': At first, this song might get you the feeling is another intro to a metal song, but in truth is 2 in one. It's a lot more moody than previous song, such touch is added by the piano work. Asis Nasser sings in a clear vocal style and creeps-on to some growling and straightforward symphonic metal. Small blasts of pummelling drumwork vs guitar continue onto the melody. Bass is overshadowed by cello, but all instruments work just fine, just magnificent. This is a much more balanced song, pretty much all aspects get their chance without making it saturated. The harp plays an excellent role that adds to a more medieval style. [The second best song in my opinion in this Eppur Si Muove.]

'Gavotta in Si-Minore': A brief instrumental track with excellent violin and flute work. A contrast to the following song.

'Herr Mannelig': German title, italian lyrics. It is a bit more shady than the rest of the songs, instrumentally, yet with diametrally opposite lyrics. . It has a beginning with the female vocalist doing some beautiful middle pitch and some beats on kettledrums. Then a metal incursion begins. This track features clean vocals only, there aren't any growled vocals on this one, i suppose that due to the much more dense atmosphere.

'The Observer': Another song featuring a mood-setting atmosphere. Untill 1:20, a more straightforward section of the song kicks. The drumwork gets an excellent prominence on this song, carrying almost the entire beat that fastens and slows down in a couple occassions. [A sure song to headbang to if you'd like or to enjoy it's accurate choice, as i would].

'Eppur Si Muove': The title track usually represent the most of the album and give a general idea [And hell, does this song do so]. This song contains a heavy epic atmosphere and without a doubt the best on this album. It starts with string work, a deep and dense string work, so untill a small flute 'solo' starts and hands it to the female vocalist performing middle-high pitched angelical vocals. After this, a piano section that follows the melody for about a minute untill an explosion of guitar and cello begin. Asis' vocals are excellent on this one [just read the lyrics and listen to this song, it's awe-inspiring!]. The vocals!, high pitched vocals performing the chorus and accompanying Nasseri's darker style. [excellent part:

'Did you ever touch the starlight ?
Dream for a thousand years?
Have you ever seen the beauty
Of a newborn century?'

One of the best choruses i've listened to. After another section of female vocals, a mirroring of the beginning, except that the piano melody is replaced by accoustic guitar and flute, followed by a raspier style of vocals by the frontman. It's a powerful song, with excellent passages, that truly shows excellent musicianship. You MUST listen to this song if you're into more than just aggression and truly appreciate inspirational music.

'Larghetto-Epilogo Adagio': The outro on this cd's formal conception is a piano piece accompanied by wind instruments. An excellent conclussion for an epic journey.

The last song is an extended version of Herr Mannelig, mislabeled as 'Short version' being about 2 minutes longer than the original version. After some silence, a piano piece starts and gives a strange turn of style, that yet is excellently orchestrated.