Listening to Therion brings back fond memories to me. They are one of the bands that introduced me to Extreme Metal with the brilliant Of Darkness… album. Beloved Antichrist is not to be compared to that though, but it still solidifies the truth – Christofer Johnsson knows his way around music.

This 3 CD beast is an incredible listening experience. This is definitely meant to be an Opera, so you’ll be taken on a journey, the story of the Beloved Antichrist. I have been listening to this album in the office, and I’ve been headbanging my headphones off of my own head a lot.

Listening to the first CD (or Act I if you prefer) most definitely gave me a feeling of calmness. It’s a gentle start to the entire album. Coming across a song called Morning Has Broken immediately made me think of a song my grandmother used to listen to when I was younger, turns out its not that, but something better. A beautiful operatic piece to sooth even the most stressful of days in the office. But don’t let it fool you.

Jumping into Act II, you will be surprised with the pure headbanging goodness that lurks within the tasteful riffs. I highly recommend listening to Night Reborn. I had to press the previous track button a couple of times, what a great track. Another highlight here is Astral Sophia. It sounds so evil and makes the headbanging even more intense!

The build-up continues well into the third act. One of the tracks that stands out to me in this part is Forgive Me. The haunting vocals and well written music works together in a dance of melancholy as only the Nordics can do it. Burning the Palace also gave me a nice surprise. The change in tempo surely caught my attention. This is why I love Therion. The third act’s CD is definitely my favourite, my favourite track on the entire album is also a part of it – My Voyage Carries On. How can you not love this album after you have listened to that?

In conclusion –

Do you like Metal? Do you like Opera? Get this album. It’s honestly great lyrically and musically.

Tracklist:

Act I

01. Turn From Heaven
02. Where Will You Go?
03. Through Dust, Through Rain
04. Signs Are Here
05. Never Again
06. Bring Her Home
07. The Solid Black Beyond
08. The Crowning Of Splendour
09. Morning Has Broken
10. Garden Of Peace
11. Our Destiny
12. Anthem
13. The Palace Ball
14. Jewels From Afar
15. Hail Caesar!
16. What Is Wrong?
17. Nothing But My Name

Act II

01. The Arrival Of Apollonius
02. Pledging Loyalty
03. Night Reborn
04. Dagger Of God
05. Temple Of New Jerusalem
06. The Lions Roar
07. Bringing The Gospel
08. Laudate Dominum
09. Remaining Silent
10. Behold Antichrist
11. Cursed By The Fallen
12. Resurrection
13. To Where I Weep
14. Astral Sophia
15. Thy Will Be Done!

Act III

01. Shoot Them Down!
02. Beneath The Starry Skies
03. Forgive Me
04. The Wasteland Of My Heart
05. Burning The Palace
06. Prelude To War
07. Day Of Wrath
08. Rise To War
09. Time Has Come/Final Battle
10. My Voyage Carries On
11. Striking Darkness
12. Seeds Of Time
13. To Shine Forever
14. Theme Of Antichrist

Line-Up: