This has turned out to be one of the best releases of 2003, so even though Steen did make a great review of it, I simply have to give it a go too.
We overall agree but have different opinions concerning the minor, but important details :)
What comes first to mind with this album is how fantastic pure classic Metal can sound like in 2003, I mean the riffs, vocal lines, solos and melodies are very much eighties in style and still it's so refreshing.
Talking about melodies I think that The Puppet Master is overly packed with real ear-hangers, just listen to the rhythm guitar in
Blood To Walk or the refrain in
Magic.
The story unfolds in Budapest 18th century; the characters consist of two lovers, the puppet master and his wife, and yes of course puppets! Let me just say that there is plenty of horror and tragedy, but interestingly also a passionate love story; this is a very ingenious and intense story indeed, but also songs that can stand on their own feet.
Lets get on with the actual tracks.
Midnight is a perfect short and eerie opener that sets a dramatic stage for the brilliant
The Puppet Master were we find many magical vocal lines, King's voice is filled with melody and his varied approach fits in amazingly well throughout the entire album. This song is packed with minor slow passages and a great solo by Andy.
Next up is my personal highlight
Magic, and what a suitable title. A great up-tempo song that starts of with fantastic underling keys and the two guitar setting in playing the same riff.
The Victoria character is sung by Livia Zita and it really adds something extra with a female voice in many songs, her melodic line
I will never forget that night gets me every time, great emotionalism captured with rather simple methods.
One of the most ecstatic parts on the whole album is the thrilling guitar solo by Mike at the 2:40 mark, simply divine!
Emerencia has a fantastic atmosphere that can be summed up by three d words: deep, dark and dim. The keyboard is the leading instrument and the innovative use of it gives the song a special gloomy touch.
Blue Eyes has some great grooving drums by Matt Thompson and harmonious leads by the impressing guitarists. But then again I sit around waiting for that great break or thrilling passage to lift the song to the next level, but it never really comes, the chorus could also have been more electrifying. These are but small details; it's a very good track all in all.
The Ritual adds some long awaited aggression to the story; the calm beginning is smashed to the ground by a monster riff and heavy drumming, King screaming
I'm in shock being another of those intense moments.
With
No More Me we find a quite odd and slow song that also is my least favourite one. The symphonic keyboard makes some great appearances but I clearly miss a more exciting flow, or said in another way I find it rather unstructured in comparison with the rest of the tracks. Anyway this song fits the story quite well.
Blood To Walk is a classic Heavy Metal cut with great riffing, a melodic chorus and fantastic guitar solos. The heavy pumping drive and dramatic vocal passages makes me sing along and play air-guitar every time, I just can't help it.
Darkness shifts from a great relaxing vibe into a faster melodic chorus passage, featuring great tight bass lines. Andy's suitable slow solo leads nicely into the intense story unfolding at the end, which is kind of grotesque. The last words spoken by the puppet master
send that puppet to Berlin is another of those thrilling moments.
So Sad is exactly that and that's also what makes it such an amazing track. I have rarely heard so much sadness captured in one song. This is really where the collaboration between King and Livia peaks.
The keyboard is used in a remarkable spellbinding way and the ending passage where the two lovers have to part ways is beyond words, especially around 4:17 when the nerve filled guitar sets in. Finding hope in the darkest hour seems to be the lyrical essence here, quite moving actually.
Christmas has a rather odd beginning, but it quickly evolves into a fantastic and very vivid track.
I simply love the harmonious refrain and the way the drumming shifts from double bass and a slower tempo, it's exactly these small details that make this amazing album even more profound.
Living Dead is the albums longest song, ending this immensely tragic tale. A nice dose of rawness and again huge solos helps in making this yet another highlight. The ending acoustic outro written by Andy is really special and contain a melancholic mood. This story is so sad that I kind of hope for a sequel, at least for the two very unlucky puppet show visitors in Budapest.
Some of the biggest treats of this great musical performance are the thrilling vocals parts and the fantastic solos.
I think the production supports the songs nicely; it's extremely clear and detailed but still tight, a heavier drum base and a higher bass mix would have made it totally awesome.
This album has many strings to play with, making up a melodic, dark and thrilling show.
Favourite songs: Magic, The Puppet Master, So Sad, Darkness and Blood To Walk.
Written by
Tommy Sunday, February 1, 2004
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