Swedish symphonic metal artillery Therion enriched their discography with not one but three CDs under the name Beloved Antichrist. Ancient traditions, occult and magic are still themes of this metal opera.
The path of this band started with Of Darkness, which was suffused with social and political themes, contrary to its successors. As the band moved forward, their sound was changing from death metal and thrash metal to melodic riffs and clean vocals. Therion became known as the most famous metal opera of the world due to their gradual incorporation of opera elements into their predominantly metal sound.
After few explosive albums such as Crowning of Atlantis and Lemuria, we have got three albums of symphony that does not differ significantly from the past materials. The first disc is woven in opera-inspired and melodic compositions that are less aggressive than before. The opening number Turn From Heaven sounds like something you would hear on albums of Avantasia, Leaves' Eyes or Tristania. Simple, easy riffs and rhythms, symphonic arrangements, soft piano sound and vulnerable female opera vocal characterize the first part of the trilogy, hinting that there might be something else on the part deux.
Yet, the second half does not bring anything different. What stands out is a composition Night Reborn due to a hardcore riff. I also appreciated the title track Beloved Antichrist that evokes nostalgia for the Therion of the past.
The third disc continues in the same, almost monotonous manner, but it delivers Shoot Them Down! and My Voyage Carries On, my two personal favorites.
The production is impeccable, the arrangements as well, yet the overall impression is that this symphony is a bit of a lackluster. I believe the problem lies in the fact that they split it in three albums instead of just compressing it to one. Redundancy killed the cat.
