After this, we come to the worship section. Therion decide to pay homage to their favorite power/trad metal bands. For the first two, they have enlisted the extreme vocal talents of none other than Ralf Scheepers (Gamma Ray/Primal Fear among many!).

The first song, "Crazy Nights" was originally done by Loudness and is a real anthemic mosh about "rocking and rolling" and "seeing the show" and "getting on your seat". This is a pretty good song, but pales in comparison to the next one. This is a song called Thor which was originally done by Manowar. This has got to be one of the most uplifting songs I have heard to date: it just makes you want to bang your head or do something else completely ridiculous. The choirs send up a soaring melody and Ralf's pants are extra extra tight to allow him to hit the "mega-high" notes. The drumming is one of the most intricate and unique patterns I've ever heard, and the guitar solo towards the end of the song done by Christoffer Johnsson is something made in heaven (in my opinion he outshines Trey Azagthoth). The final cover is entitled Seawinds and was originally done by Accept. It is a completely slow pace song entirely comprising of female vocals performed by none other than Sarah Jezibel Deva (ex-Cradle of Filth). This song belongs more on a Britney Spears (or something) album than a Therion one, but it is still brilliant!

To round off the album there are three live tracks, one of which is the stunning To Mega Therion. They still manage to pull off the choir caper perfectly on stage. Full credit to them! This is an extremely well rounded album, and has allowed me to appreciate some more esoteric forms of metal. I cannot find a single thing wrong with it, thus I recommend highly.


Dang, I should have listened to this before I bought it   April 10, 2001
 4 out of 8 found this review helpful

Sorry to break the string of good reviews on this album, but I just can't let this album slide. Having really enjoyed Theli, I thought this would be a decent album. Maybe I'm just a bit tired of the whole orchestra metal thing, but this album is boring anyway. Thought there are moments of intriguing composition, most of the album seems like a forced effort to combine church choir and rock. And what the heck are songs like Crazy Nights and Thor doing on here? They don't quite fit, but maybe that's an attempt to break up this monotonous recording. As I listen to it right now, I can see how parts might grow on me a little more, but Theli is just far superior.


Excellent "EP" to tide you over.   July 22, 1999
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This "EP" clocks in at over 50 minutes, making it well worth your money. The new songs are very well done, and return a bit more to the 'Theli' style, in that they are more guitar-oriented than 'Vovin' tunes. The covers are also well done, with Ralf Scheeper's doing a fine job handling the vocals. A great cover of Manowar's "Thor" is worth the price alone, to me. This "EP" is for definately for Therion fans, and I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to the band. I can't wait for the new album.


It has all   December 4, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a very good album. It has all. 3 very well done covers, 3 incredible live versions, 1 re-edition and 3 master pieces of art; the 3 new songs. The 3 new songs are very similar to the Vovin album, an excelent instrumentation singed with lirycal and operal choirs. The covers show a bit of this metal group influences and an interesting face of the group; the song Sea Winds (originally from Accept)is incredibly well done and Thor (originally from Manowar, also played by Centurion) brings the soul of metal, also Crazy Nights showing Therion version of the roots of Heavy Metal. The more interesting thing on the album is the 3 songs on live versions: To Mega Therion, from the teli album, with interesting drums arrengerments and some choir arrengements too. There is also The Wings of Hydra, wich brings us to earlier days of the band, a Death metal song from the Lepaka, where C. J. was still the principal vocal. The last song is Black Sun from the Vovin. All live songs shows the great performance of the group on the VOVIN TOUR and are the only register of the Group playing alive. (Almost played as in the original records) The re-edition song is also from the album VOVIN; the title: Clavicula Nox. This redition introduces a piano playing along the song and on the intro, very good arrengement; but more interesting yet is the solos of the vocals. The song is originally singed by a female soprano, but in this reedition the lirics are singed by a male Tenor at first (in a SOLO) and then by a Bajo. Very enjoyable CD and very complete. A Perfect resume of the music purpose of this great symphonic metal Band.


Response to Armuinn   October 4, 2002
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I do not understand why Armuinn says that the song "Seawinds" belongs on a Britney Spears than on a Therion album. WHy does she even metion Britney Spears? If you check the booklet, the Therion version has been rearranged with female choir, keyboards, and strings. The original song by Accept was a power ballad with a male vocalist. First of all, Sarah Jezebal Veva(Sarah Jane Ferridge)is one of best female gothic metal vocalists who has studied opera and is classically trained and is just as good as Tarja Tarunen of Nightwish. She has sung in bands like Therion and Cradle of Filth. To compare Sarah or this song to Britney Spears is an insult! I bet if Sarah saw Armuinn's review, she would feel insulted too.

"Seawinds" is one of my favorite songs and is the Therion version is one I would play for my handfasting(Wiccan equivalent of a wedding)and my funeral. This song means a lot to me personally and can be interpreted in many ways. To me, the Therion version is much better than the Accept version.