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 Второй свой опус прог-мелодик-дэт команда из Андорры Persefone решила сделать практически в формате non-stop - 3 трека, каждый из которых длится свыше 20 минут - это вам не "хухра с мухрой", как говорил один мой товарищ.
В целом, если сравнивать с дебютным альбомом, выросло как качество звука, так и композиторское мастерство музыкантов. Итак, перед нами снова концепт, выполненный с хорошим вкусом и повествующий о сложных отношениях Богов и Богинь. Лучше не говорить о музыкальном стиле, а слушать саму работу, - этакая стилевая смесь из дэтовых, чуть блэковых и прогрессивных частей слушается на удивление вкусно. Опять-таки некоторый крен в неоклассицизм наблюдается, но сделан он настолько интересно, что зевоты не вызывает. Также нашлось место и для прог-рока, меланхоличных рояльных проходов. Гитары звучат уверенно, местами очень напористо, но искусно сплетённые партии всегда радуют слушателя, а соло не сваливаются в тусклую и унылую кашу из нот. Клавишник доставляет удовольствие местами поистине классическими переливами, как я уже говорил, рояля, да и вообще уместностью партий. Ритм-секция внушает уважение своей точностью и красотой, а ритмические рисунки разных видов и размеров порадуют любителей в меру сложной музыки. А вокальное многоголосье даёт отдохнуть ушам: тут вам и гроул, и скрим (на этот раз красиво оттеняющий само музыкальное полотно), и чистые мужские и женские голоса. И если к экстремальным видам вокалов вопросов не возникает, то с чистоголосым пением - напротив. Местами мужской вокал просто великолепен, а местами, увы. То же можно сказать и про женский - в наличии некоторая гнусавость, да и вообще, сыроватость партий чистого вокала. Разумеется, были бы парни поизвестнее, то имели бы возможность пригласить кого-нибудь более "звездного" для исполнения женского вокала, но к сожалению... Однако, это искупается общей красотой мелодий и их количеством - слушать на самом деле и интересно, и приятно.
В целом, альбом намного лучше предшественника, до 8 баллов не дотягивает совсем малость. Рекомендую поклонникам прогрессивной тяжёлой музыки. |
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World will fall into perpetual darkness
Dawn will be no more
Frost will cover the face of the earth
And the everlasting winter will freeze their hearts
The creation sons will pay one by one
They'll all come to you when I'm done
For no sin is left unjudged
Their suffering will be unleashed
Rage - Rage consumes my flesh like a worm
Fire - No fire will keep you warm
Crawl - You'll crawl under my feet
Starvation
Rip my heart out, rip my life out
Rip my eyes for I'll never see her again
I've cried a river of pain, no more tears I can shed
Lord of the Underworld, beg...
Pain Hate - I hate you
Horror Disgrace
Despair Madness - I despise you
Agony Desperation
[3. Goddess Wrath]
[4. Mother's Memories]
[As days go by, hate becomes desperation; anger gives way to anguish and rage to sadness. Memories pile in her mother's heart and tears grow big in her goddess heart, drowning her hopes.]
[The Light's Theme]
In her sad face signs of suffering are drawn
Caused by tears she shed for so many nights
Where darkness was the only companion
That fulfilled the emptiness of Core
I can feel her essence in the air
Her face still reflects on every river
I can still see her moving like leaves on a tree
I think I still can...
I miss her gleaming morning smile
I wish she were here to comfort my soul
The innocence of her mind
The fragile innocence as the butterfly wings
I pray for nightmares to end
Core, light that surrounds me
Let there be light again
Let the scars stop bleeding
As days and nights go by she tries to find comfort in her loneliness
Buried in the abyss of her own desperation
She wonders if this will last forever
For to get back to the Light forever she would cry
[5. The Light Punishes The Earth]
[All living beings suffer the consequences. The earth won't give its fruits anymore, rivers will lay as veins with no blood and rain will be like dust over dead fields. Her uncontrolled power affects all known places and her screaming resounds all around.]
Night falls, horror stabs the living
With furious anger harvests are drowned
Like death seeding the seeds of pain
Drying the open land, wiping out any sign of life
Clouds will cross the skies more than a thousand times
Before men can see their land thrive again
And a thousand thunders will sound,
And a thousand thunders will explode...
No longer hears the crying of desperate souls
No longer sees the horror in their faces
Only sees deathly souls crawling like a serpent
Famine strikes
Clouds will cross the skies more than a thousand times
Before men can see their land bloom again
[6. Exile]
[Too many questions, no answers, Demeter abandons the research and herself in an exile beyond heaven's eyes and beyond earth's sight. Solitude builds walls around her; maybe this is the only way.]
...and a thousand thunders will explode
After nine days searching for her
She ran away looking for shelter
Found her place in an unknown land
In a far away kingdom of the sand
Peace of mind is hard to find
She found a way out of her suffering
Just when about to let it all go
Uncertainty made her feel alone
[7. The Message From The Father Of Gods]
[Zeus sends a message to Demeter in a desperate attempt to stop her rage, make her forget Core and bring her back to the Olympus.]
Signs came in mysterious ways
Whispers from the wind - forget all about it
Clouds in the sky showed the way - fall into oblivion
Rain fell hard...it could be heard - forgive
[Father Of Gods' Theme]
[Solo Carlos]
Your thoughts are destroying you
The earth suffers the consequences of your acts
Abandon this mad crusade you've get into
And return to the place you belong to
Her feelings for him have changed with time
The lord of the underworld conquered her heart
Rumours say that she is not coming back
She doesn't want to come back
[8. Denial]
[The truth in Zeus' words destroys all Demeter's hopes, but her heart does not want to believe.]
No - I don't want to believe the words you tell
Lies - You only lie to blind my wounded heart
No I won't
I won't be fooled by your words
You won't poison my thoughts
I hold the truth in my mind
I'm lead by my soul to Core
The Lord of the skies, Father of gods
Got back to his throne denied by the Light
His aura vanished like the mist and a figure appeared
The wind rider
[9. Hermes arrival]
[Hermes, Zeus' messenger, carries the news to Demeter, brings answers about Core, a pact.]
Hear the words I bring to you
From the underworld I've come
She will be released, brought back to you
Though you'll have to learn to share time
Time is something I've already lost
[Solo Miguel]
[Solo Jordi]
[10. Core's Transgression]
[The moment when Core and Demeter meet again has finally arrived, although the words carried by Hermes made Demeter doubt. Who was that figure calling her "mother"? What was left of her daughter behind those eyes?]
Your light breaks the night with every step you take
Tears were not shed in vain
Nothing will tear us apart again
But there's something in your eyes, something evil...
His poison
No!
I was tempted
You were strong
No I wasn't
Ah!
You can't understand it
I don't want to
But here I am...your daughter, Persefone
[Solo Carlos - Miguel]
[11. Consequences]
[Nothing will ever be the same, Demeter accepts the pact and with every step that Persephone takes to her mother, Core disappears.]
Half the year away, half the year with me
As it always was it will be no more
I don't recognize you as my blood
I can feel his presence in your eyes
2. Underworld: The Fallen And The Butterfly
[1. The Battle Ends]
[On the battle for power between Zeus & Hades, Hades is defeated. During the sad return to his domains, the innocent game of Eros and Afrodita comes in his way. An arrow will decide his future feelings. It is then when he crosses looks with Core and desire needs to be fulfilled.]
[2. A mighty crash]
[Zeus tries to stop Hades, but this time nothing will prevent evil from happening. He'll accomplish his will at any price; it goes beyond power and reason. Core will be his.]
My ambition, you may put to an end
But not what my heart needs
You may have won a battle
You won't win twice in a day
Who do you think you are?
Take what's left of your deadly legions
And get back to the hole you came from
I've come to take what is mine
I don't need your approval
You'll regret having come today
You've won the Earth, you lose something you love
You are playing a game you can't win
I'm the one who writes the rules
You will face the punishment you deserve
You'll crawl asking for forgiveness
There's no place you can hide
Guiding his horde of death
He returns to the place where souls are condemned
New troops of doom enrolled after the war
Even in defeat he has won
The abyss within his blackened soul
Consumes and isolates him
A threat arises, unholy desires
Will bear the Light to exile
I'm a slave of my own needs
Out of control, out of my mind
A nightmare I live, I can escape
I'll return to claim what is mine
He wants to get rid of the inner pain
Inflicted by the game of Beauty and Love
An arrow stroke and cursed his heart
Slave to her love, touched by her sight
There's only one way to satisfy my desire
She'll be powerful by my side
But still I can't reach her; it burns in me
I know she wants to come; she'll come to me
Goddess of evil, queen of the dark
Lady of souls in despair,
Under the guide of your will
Reign for all time among us
For all time!! - She'll come to me
[3. Dark Thoughts From A Dark Heart]
[Between shadows, Hades' wounded heart fights to be heard, Core will be by his side, and her will forever will be obeyed, no matter what. Blinded by love, Hades is ready to be on his way.]
In my dreams I feel you
You live in my reveries now
But soon, here in the underground, you'll be queen
Queen of all you see, and all you feel
I belong to you; you have to get to me
You belong to me; I'll get to you
All light on earth vanishes
There'll be no escape for her now
And so the land opens,
And so I unleash my wrath
The undead will be one with me
No one will get in my way
There's nothing that can stop me now
So I'll fulfil what's to be done
And in my carriage
Ride by black stallions
I'll leave with no breath
The one that I belong to
Nor her tears nor her pain
Will stop my commitment
And I won't fail to the image of her
I'll follow my will
'cause the will of my heart goes beyond my mind
[4. And So, It Happens]
[Hades, followed by his hordes, appears in front of frightened Core. Firmly he takes what his heart asks for, to make her queen of his world, the Underworld.]
[Lord Of The Underworld's Theme]
And the sky turned black and with a mighty roar
the earth cracked
And his will embraces her soul
as she meets her fate
And suddenly, coming out of the night
I feel it coming for me. I feel it's coming. But why?
A strange feeling arises from the depths of my fears
Bursting me into tears
But why...
I can't free myself
Helpless...
No chains or ties but a sweet caress
I can't understand it
It's leaving me defenceless
[5. Nine Days]
[With Core by his side, Hades tries to win her confidence offering her power, a kingdom and his love. He won't stop against anything, but it won't be easy.]
I offer you my heart
Sit by my side on your queen throne
And rule for ages to come
This dark World that I give to you
Hours were days and days were eternal dreams
Confusing her mind seeing her beloved captive
Though in his black heart his evil nature still alive
Would have to corrupt her soul, condemn her to his side
Wipe the sadness from your face
You'll learn to love your new reign
Ask what you will but your freedom
You're now prisoner of my heart
Prisoner of my heart!
Confusion tears running along her cheeks
Lost in the immensity of darkness in the Underworld reign
Show no fear when you deliver on to me
Let me carry you between the shadows
Feel the power within you
Feel the flame inside of me
Your face will show no more fear
and your severe look will turn
no more light in your days
stay by my side - by my side
[6. Doubts Are Seed]
[Solo Carlos]
[Solo Jordi]
[Solo Carlos]
[7. Hermes Journey]
[Hermes delivers the message to the Lord of the Underworld. It is necessary to let her beloved Core go free the world from the consequences of his acts.]
Through skies and seas
He is sent to deliver the message from the Father of Gods
The threat was received by the Lord of the Underworld
[Solo Carlos]
[Solo Miguel]
[8. Tasting The Forbidden Fruit]
[Nine days and nine nights Hades had to get Core's heart, but it wasn't until she was starving to death that the inevitable happened, she ate the forbidden fruit, condemning herself forever.]
For days starving she has been
she'll succumb to the traitorous hunger
Then forever she'll be mine, mine and none other
We both know the forbidden fruit is cursed
to those that don't belong here
Eating it means you'll be condemned forever,
I'll wait for you to fall
The damned fruit from the dark abyss,
although she knew the danger she was facing,
was the only way Core had to satisfy her hunger
She knew she'd be condemned if she ate it
And doubts had been seed inside her
Her pure mind started to crumble
And the world fell over her, darkening her mind
As you breathe the vicious air
A part of him takes control of you
Fight and consume your hopes of freedom
Soon your soul mine will be
[9. The Underworld]
[Hades shows Core, now Persephone, the reality of her new reign, and she observes from her throne, she likes it.]
No day no night, no sand dripping hours
Time belongs to him and to the dreams of the condemned
Covered by hate and fear are the darkened walls
Covered by the blood of inside crawling sadden souls
[10. Meeting The Light]
[What then was the need to leave now is doubt. Core knew her place was by her mother, but Persephone is now the one on the way to Demeter.]
Held captive no more
I've been released to meet the Light
But why?
I'm not sure I want to leave
Something has grown inside of me.
But why?
I no longer feel helpless
No longer feel defenceless
I'm not sure where my place is anymore...
3. Seed: Core And Persephone
[1. Held Captive]
[Core is held against her will and cries to get back to Demeter. Suffers in silence and loses hope in being freed again.]
[Persephone's Theme]
Dark and grey the day has turned
Time is passing
My heart's crying a tear for the sun
I can't reach
The soft whistle of the air...
The leaf that I inspired to pretend to be
The ground of the Fall
Reminds of a whole
The muse that fell to the deep
The muse is lying cursed
The cold on her hands
The dust on her wings
A widow of her own old life
A victim of god's desires
The child that a light brought
A ray of hope to the world
Buried in life between walls I can't see...
They are cold but I can't touch them
No day, no night, but days are passing
I know...
I feel all alone, 'cause my mother's gone
The cold on her hands
The dust on her wings
A widow of her own old life
A victim of god's desires
The child that a light brought
A ray of hope to the world...
[2. Memories]
[Core finds comfort in the old days, where she was free. She has lost strength and these memories are hard to be brought back. Everything seems to bring her back to darkness.]
Cloudy is my mind
'Sieged my images with no sense
Shadow-broken memories
Are broken like my soul
I see The Light far in my dreams
I run to her seeking comfort
But a great dark blanket
Steps between my light and me
Mother, I feel you, but I can't see you
I've learned to hate this place, and slowly in me I die
I try to smile, but it's a bitter one
I wish to get back to my beloved fields
Wasted and devastated now are
I want to escape this agonic dream, escape...escape!
Trapped and lost, in this world
I can only give away my heart and condemn my soul
[3. Betraying Herself]
[Core loses all confidence and falls into temptation. Shadows are the only company she has surrounded by dark walls.]
Sickness, obscurity
Punishments that happen around me
I can't distinguish what is right
Which path leads the way?
Slowly he tries to conquer my heart
What's wrong in all this, what will be my sentence?
He represents all that I am not
There's no use for all that I've learned
I'm blinded by his presence
His endeavours frighten me curiosity burns in me
The cold on my hands
The dust on my wings
A widow of my own old life
A victim of god's desires
The child that a light brought
A ray of hope to the world
[4. A Pure Heart Succumbs]
[After having fallen for her despair, she loses the ability to choose between good and evil, between light and darkness.]
[Solo Carlos]
They spent days in the darkness
And the innocent eyes of the muse blackened,
losing that expression
And the factions in her face showed indifference and hate
She had started to enjoy the company of her Lord
[Solo Miguel]
[Solo Jordi]
[Solo Carlos]
[Solo Jordi]
[Solo Carlos - Miguel]
[5. Transition To Persephone]
[All is lost; she has succumbed to her now beloved captor. She becomes all she ever feared to be. Doubts are still in her mind, although they have betrayed her.]
Too much time she has been in the shadows
Days are prisons in time
Consumed day after day
A new being is born
I can't feel passion for things anymore
Although I know it's inside of me
I feel no sorrow, I feel no remorse
For the condemned that roam in this moor
Her head was empty of past feelings
Her eyes reflected neither passion nor sweetness
And her soul was ready
To roam the moor of desperation
I seek answers to the questions I don't know
He has them all in his poisonous lips
That tightens me with the strength of the oceans
And takes me far from the truth
[Solo Jean-Do Leonelli]
I fight the hunger that weakens me
I cannot reason anymore
Everything is blurred and grey
Everything is the nothing that lives
in every moment of my soul
[6. The End]
[And as the story comes to the end we find that the young and innocent Core had started to have doubts in her mind. The truth was well beyond comprehension, but she knew she would starve to death in a world that somehow had begun to build a feeling inside her. She was no longer a stranger in the Underworld, and was ready to make the final step. Although she knew her mother was in pain, the influence of the dark lands had started to make her forget, forget. By the ninth day she crossed the line that would tie her to darkness for all time, for she had bitten the forbidden fruit of the Underworld, only permitted to the condemned...the beginning of a new age had arrived, where she'd be praised for all time...]
[Meanwhile, the Light had been struggling to make Core come back to her side. After days and days of punishing the earth by starvation, the Father of gods had sent a message to the Lord of the Underworld to settle a commitment where both could have the company of young Core. Unknown to her, they both had decided that Core would spend half the year within the Light and the other half within darkness, but although this pact seemed to satisfy them all, it was unbeknownst to them that Core was no longer a young and innocent child, something had changed inside her, forever...]
[7. Epilogue]
[They finally meet, Demeter and Persephone. For six months she'll be with her mother and the other half of the year she'll spend it with her Lord, the Lord of the Underworld.]
And from the abyss of my desperate soul
I see her coming from the dark lands
Despair surrounds all that's in me
After so much suffering the end is near
The closer she gets
I see the darkness that has grown on her
Her eyes no longer show the youth from days past
They reveal a feeling that I've never seen...but I know
And from the abyss of my soul
I lead my way to the Light
The shape of despair that surrounds her
Shows how the suffering embraces her
The rain on the dark land is deafening
The moment that so many times I saw in my mind
Is falling apart
I'm your daughter, Persephone
No!