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│ METAL CLASSICS ARCHIVE │
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│ P R E S E N T S │
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│ + Adagio - Life (Jap. Ed.)-(KICP-1857) + │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Information ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Release Date.Aug-22-2017 Encoder......L3.98.4 -V0 --lowpas ║ │
│║ Genre........Metal Graber.......EAC ║ │
│║ Year.........2017 Khz/Bitrate..44,1/ Br ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Ripper.......anthem Songs........10 ║ │
│║ Covers.......Yes Url... www.adagio-online.com ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Notes ║ │
│╠═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════╗ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Artist : Adagio Rating : You Decide! ║ │
│║ Album : Life (Jap. Ed.)-(KICP-1857) Label : King ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Description : ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Sometimes, when an album is heavily anticipated ║ │
│║ and heralded in advance as a spiritual successor ║ │
│║ to another highly regarded album, it can be hard ║ │
│║ not to let the hype get the better of you so ║ │
│║ that the end result ends up seemingly not as ║ │
│║ impressive as you were hoping for. One very ║ │
│║ highly anticipated album that fits this ║ │
│║ description perfectly is Life, the fifth full- ║ │
│║ length album from French progressive metal band ║ │
│║ Adagio. The band has been around since 2000 and ║ │
│║ have released some great albums in the past, ║ │
│║ especially their highly praised second album ║ │
│║ Underworld, but their sound has changed a lot in ║ │
│║ recent years, with the bandÆs previous album ║ │
│║ Archangels in Black in particular feeling like a ║ │
│║ massive departure from their previous efforts, ║ │
│║ and while it was an enjoyable album, many fans ║ │
│║ were disappointed with it, and it is generally ║ │
│║ considered the bandÆs weakest album to date. ║ │
│║ ItÆs been over eight and a half years since that ║ │
│║ album, and now the band is finally back with ║ │
│║ Life, an album they had been hyping up for a ║ │
│║ long time, even involving their fans with a ║ │
│║ crowdfunding campaign in 2016. They hyped the ║ │
│║ album up as being a spiritual successor to ║ │
│║ Underworld, but while it does have some ║ │
│║ similarities, fans either out of the loop since ║ │
│║ that album or those simply hoping for the band ║ │
│║ to turn back the clock and make a direct ║ │
│║ continuation of that album, are in for a ║ │
│║ disappointment. Life is a very well made album, ║ │
│║ but in some ways, I canÆt help but feel it isnÆt ║ │
│║ everything I was hoping it would be. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ A lot has changed for Adagio since their ║ │
│║ previous album, with several lineup changes, ║ │
│║ including new vocalist Kelly ôSundownö ║ │
│║ Carpenterö, new drummer Jelly Carderelli and the ║ │
│║ inclusion of violinist Mayline. It very much ║ │
│║ feels like the band wanted to change things up ║ │
│║ moving on from Archangels in Black, and that led ║ │
│║ to them taking a long time to work on Life, in ║ │
│║ order to craft the album they wanted to make, ║ │
│║ that would bring back some memories of past ║ │
│║ albums, while also having its own distinct ║ │
│║ sound. Their sound has changed a lot over the ║ │
│║ years, with Underworld being a mix of prog, ║ │
│║ power, symphonic and neo-classical metal, often ║ │
│║ managing to fluidly blend all those genres ║ │
│║ together into something that was equal parts ║ │
│║ atmospheric, melodic and complex. Their next two ║ │
│║ albums, Dominate and Archangels in Black felt a ║ │
│║ bit more straightforward by comparison, and ║ │
│║ while most of the same elements were still ║ │
│║ involved, they were more focused on the power ║ │
│║ metal elements and were definitely harder ║ │
│║ hitting guitar driven albums that focused a bit ║ │
│║ less on the melodic and progressive sides of ║ │
│║ their music, especially on the latter album. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Life, on the other hand, feels like a much ║ │
│║ different beast, as it makes the prog elements ║ │
│║ the main focus once again, and it definitely has ║ │
│║ a ton of atmospheric sections that remind me of ║ │
│║ the overall feel of Underworld, but I feel itÆs ║ │
│║ a much different album overall, as the focus ║ │
│║ seems a little bit narrower and less dynamic. I ║ │
│║ feel it was a mistake to make fans think it ║ │
│║ would be similar to Underworld, as while the ║ │
│║ atmospheric sections are very nice and while it ║ │
│║ does have more complex arrangements again, I ║ │
│║ feel the songs lack energy compared to that ║ │
│║ album, and the power metal elements have been ║ │
│║ completely removed. Instead, the album is by far ║ │
│║ the bandÆs most progressive release to date, ║ │
│║ with almost every track being slower paced and ║ │
│║ having a strong focus on instrumental sections, ║ │
│║ as well as some orchestral work which is ║ │
│║ definitely a bigger focus than it was on the ║ │
│║ bandÆs two previous albums. In fact, the use of ║ │
│║ symphonic elements and keyboards to help add to ║ │
│║ the atmosphere of the music is where the album ║ │
│║ does remind me of Underworld, but everything ║ │
│║ else feels much different. In particular, where ║ │
│║ Underworld had a ton of neoclassical passages ║ │
│║ and more melodic guitar work, on Life the guitar ║ │
│║ work is fairly secondary a lot of the time, with ║ │
│║ the orchestras and keyboards taking the lead a ║ │
│║ lot of the time, and a lot of StΘphan FortΘÆs ║ │
│║ riffs are very chunky, feeling much closer to ║ │
│║ djent than anything he did on previous Adagio ║ │
│║ albums. Actually, his guitar work here shouldnÆt ║ │
│║ be surprising for those who listened to his two ║ │
│║ recent solo albums, as he often uses similar ║ │
│║ sounding riffs here, and even his solos are ║ │
│║ often pure shredding, instead of the more ║ │
│║ classical flavored solos he did on previous ║ │
│║ albums. The solos, in particular, are still very ║ │
│║ impressive, as always, but I feel some of the ║ │
│║ djent sounding riffs are a little bit ║ │
│║ distracting and I definitely prefer what he was ║ │
│║ doing on past albums. Including a violinist into ║ │
│║ their lineup is an interesting move, and Mayline ║ │
│║ is used effectively throughout the album to give ║ │
│║ the album a slightly oriental feel at times, ║ │
│║ especially on ôSubrahmanyaö, though compared to ║ │
│║ the symphonic elements her violin isnÆt used as ║ │
│║ often as it could have been. IÆd say overall, ║ │
│║ the instrumental work on the album is very ║ │
│║ impressive on a technical level and the ║ │
│║ production is perfect, but the execution isnÆt ║ │
│║ always as nice as I would like and the ║ │
│║ songwriting is good, but lacking in variety. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Adagio has gone through several different ║ │
│║ vocalists over the years, with no one sticking ║ │
│║ around for more than two albums, so itÆs not ║ │
│║ surprising to say they once again have a new ║ │
│║ singer for this album. This time around, they ║ │
│║ have brought in Kelly Carpenter, a very ║ │
│║ experienced vocalist who has performed with many ║ │
│║ bands, but has yet to land a real long term time ║ │
│║ gig, so hopefully this will be the one that ║ │
│║ finally works out for him. He has a very ║ │
│║ powerful voice and his delivery is very animated ║ │
│║ throughout the album, which often fits in nicely ║ │
│║ with the overall dark feel of the music, as he ║ │
│║ has a very sinister sounding voice that matches ║ │
│║ the atmosphere perfectly. HeÆs definitely a lot ║ │
│║ rougher sounding than previous Adagio vocalists, ║ │
│║ so he may take the time to grow on some fans, ║ │
│║ but I think he does an excellent job overall and ║ │
│║ fits in nicely with the sound of this album. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Songwriting is the one area where I struggle a ║ │
│║ bit with Life, not because I think there are any ║ │
│║ weak songs here, but because of a problem IÆve ║ │
│║ had with many recent prog albums, and one thing ║ │
│║ that has kept me from listening to the genre as ║ │
│║ much recently as I have in the past. Basically, ║ │
│║ it feels at times like bands who use a ║ │
│║ progressive label are limiting themselves in ║ │
│║ such a way that their music is always forced to ║ │
│║ stay at a certain tempo throughout, which I find ║ │
│║ to be problematic on lengthier tracks and within ║ │
│║ lengthy compositions, as one thing that can help ║ │
│║ me enjoy every second of a really long song or ║ │
│║ album is if the tempos are changing constantly, ║ │
│║ and a lot of my favorite prog albums do this, ║ │
│║ including Underworld, but sadly Life is not one ║ │
│║ of those. ThereÆs the very rare section where ║ │
│║ the tempo picks up slightly, but for the most ║ │
│║ part, the music crawls along at a pace that ║ │
│║ could only possibly be described as slow. The ║ │
│║ songs themselves are all very good individually, ║ │
│║ but I find listening to them all stacked ║ │
│║ together gets to be a bit challenging after a ║ │
│║ while, so this definitely isnÆt one of those ║ │
│║ albums I can listen to several times in one ║ │
│║ sitting. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Moving on to highlights, the title track is ║ │
│║ definitely impressive. The track opens with a ║ │
│║ lengthy orchestral section which does a great ║ │
│║ job of setting the tone for the album, and then ║ │
│║ the very chunky sounding guitars come in and the ║ │
│║ track gets heavier for a bit, before settling ║ │
│║ down and allowing the keyboards to take over. ║ │
│║ Throughout the verses, itÆs the atmospheric keys ║ │
│║ and symphonic elements which dominate the sound, ║ │
│║ and this is very indicative of what the majority ║ │
│║ of the album is like. ItÆs very much an ║ │
│║ atmospheric track with occasional heavy ║ │
│║ sections, and some great solo work in the second ║ │
│║ half. The chorus is very nice and does a great ║ │
│║ job of showcasing KellyÆs voice, and overall the ║ │
│║ track does a great job of introducing fans to ║ │
│║ the bands current sound. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Next is ôThe Ladderö, which opens up with a very ║ │
│║ proggy intro, with some great keyboards and ║ │
│║ solid guitar riffs, before the track again slows ║ │
│║ down and allows Kelly to take over, while the ║ │
│║ background music is very atmospheric. I will ║ │
│║ say, while the music often lacks the kind of ║ │
│║ energy IÆd like, the band really does an ║ │
│║ excellent job of using the keys and orchestra ║ │
│║ for atmosphere and they set the tone of the ║ │
│║ album very well, so anyone looking for some ║ │
│║ moody prog is sure to love this album. Other ║ │
│║ highlights include ôSubrahmanyaö, which has a ║ │
│║ nice intro where Mayline does some great work, ║ │
│║ and the track overall has perhaps the most ║ │
│║ impressive symphonic elements, as well as some ║ │
│║ of best instrumental sections overall, ôthough ║ │
│║ the djent sounding guitars are especially ║ │
│║ dominant here and detract from everything else, ║ │
│║ ôGrand Spirit Voyageö, a very progressive track ║ │
│║ which has a ton of stuff going on and even has a ║ │
│║ brief explosion of speed at one point, ôDarkness ║ │
│║ Machineö, a very hard hitting track which has ║ │
│║ easily the best guitar work on the album, with ║ │
│║ some great riffs, that feel less djent ║ │
│║ influenced and more pure classic metal compared ║ │
│║ to most of the album, and that track also has a ║ │
│║ stunning instrumental section and a great ║ │
│║ chorus, ôIÆll Possess Youö, a nice ballad where ║ │
│║ the pianos dominate, and itÆs another very moody ║ │
│║ track, and ôTornö, the shortest and most direct ║ │
│║ track on the album, with a very catchy, somewhat ║ │
│║ speedy chorus. Out of the other two tracks, ║ │
│║ ôSecluded Within Myselfö is another solid, ║ │
│║ largely atmospheric track, while ôTrippinÆ Awayö ║ │
│║ is a decent ballad that serves as a nice enough ║ │
│║ showcase for Kelly, though I find it nowhere ║ │
│║ near as strong as ôIÆll Possess Youö and it ║ │
│║ drags badly in the second half, making me hope ║ │
│║ for it to end. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Life is a great album, for sure, and one that ║ │
│║ will please some fans, but I think the band made ║ │
│║ a mistake by comparing it to their career high ║ │
│║ point to date, that being Underworld, as it ║ │
│║ lacks that albumÆs more dynamic songwriting and ║ │
│║ energy. The reduction of power metal elements is ║ │
│║ also sure to disappoint some, while personally, ║ │
│║ I think everything here works well and I ║ │
│║ especially enjoy how effectively the keys and ║ │
│║ symphonic elements are used to create ║ │
│║ atmosphere, but the songwriting is definitely ║ │
│║ not as varied as IÆd like. Overall, Life is an ║ │
│║ album I can recommend to prog fans looking for ║ │
│║ an album with excellent musicianship and a great ║ │
│║ use of symphonic elements, and IÆm sure most ║ │
│║ Adagio fans will find something to enjoy here, ║ │
│║ but I canÆt help but feel itÆs not quite what ║ │
│║ the band promised. ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ Kelly Sundown Carpenter - Vocals ║ │
│║ Franck Hermanny - Bass ║ │
│║ StΘphan FortΘ - Guitars ║ │
│║ KΘvin Codfert - Keyboards ║ │
│║ Jelly Cardarelli - Drums ║ │
│║ Mayline - Violin ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│║ ║ │
│╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ │
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│╔═════════════════════╗ │
│║ Release Tracklist ║ │
│╚═════════════════════╩══════════════════════════════════════════ │
│ │
│ 01 - Life [09:11] │
│ 02 - The Ladder [06:23] │
│ 03 - Subrahmanya [06:55] │
│ 04 - The Grand Spirit Voyage [06:01] │
│ 05 - Darkness Machine [05:43] │
│ 06 - I┤ll Posses You [05:46] │
│ 07 - Secluded Within Myself [05:46] │
│ 08 - Trippin┤ Away [05:54] │
│ 09 - Torn [04:36] │
│ 10 - Carry The Cross (Demo Version) (Bonus Trac [04:12] │
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│ Total Length : [60:27 minn │
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│ ╔═════════════════════╗ │
│ ║ Greetings To: ║ │
│ ╚═════════════════════╝ │
│ │
│ Too all people who contributes to make this │
│ archive of good music in a exceptional conditions │
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