Description
Product Description
Kristoffer J?nsson, the unparalleled genius from Sweden! His opera project, which he has been developing for 15 years, is finally coming to light! Therion's new album, "Beloved Antichrist," is now on sale! Witness this epic masterpiece spanning three CDs, a landmark in rock/metal history! Starting as a death metal band in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, in '88, THERION is a rare band that has constantly evolved, innovated, and deepened. To date, they have released 12 original studio full-length albums, including 'OF DARKNESS?c' ('91), 'BEYOND SANCTORUM' ('92), 'SYMPHONY MASSES: HO DRAKON HO MEGAS' ('93), 'LEPACA KLIFFOTH' ('95), 'THELI' ('96), 'VOVIN' ('98), 'DEGGIAL' ('00), 'SECRET OF THE RUNES' ('01), 'LEMURIA' ('04), 'SIRIUS B' ('04), 'GOTHIC KABBALAH' ('07), and 'SITRA AHRA' ('10). As early as the '90s, they were already practicing a technique of imbuing ferocious roars with a classical and decadent mood. Since then, while undergoing numerous member changes, they have refined their sound into something symphonic, dramatic, mystical, and fantastical. A major turning point came with their fifth album, "THELI," which boldly incorporated heavy orchestration and operatic choral work, loudly declaring the complete end of their death metal era. In the subsequent album, "VOVIN," they finally eliminated metal vocals, placing a choir throughout and further strengthening their operatic direction. However, it is noteworthy that they?or rather, their leader Christoffel (g, vo), who had long since become the sole original member?never lost the essence of metal as an apostle of darkness. In 2012, he released "LES FLEURS DU MAL," an unconventional cover album that decadently reimagined French pop, proving that his unique individuality would never waver no matter what he did. And then, in 2018, marking his 30th anniversary, Christoffel released his long-desired rock opera. Based on "A Short Tale Of The Antichrist," a work by Russian thinker and philosopher Vladimir Solovyov, this album, "BELOVED ANTICHRIST," tells Christoffel's original story?sometimes graceful, sometimes magnificent, sometimes majestic, and sometimes profound?and is a true epic, spanning three CDs, 46 tracks, and three and a half hours of music. The band lineup consists of Christoffel, Christian Vidal (G), Nale Paulsen (B), and Sami Karuppinen (Ds), with a total of 15 singers, including the familiar Thomas Wikstr?m and his daughter Linnia, Lori Lewis, and Chiara Malvestiti, each playing and singing for 29 different characters (some of which are from Solovyov's original work, while others are newly added by Christoffel). "This is a rock opera intended for theatrical performance, written for audiences who generally prefer musicals and the like, not metal fans. So there might be some metalheads who are put off by it, but this band has always been like that, and every time we've released an album, about half of our fans have left. But rest assured, there's at least one CD's worth of THERION-esque parts (laughs)," says Christoffel. He never stops challenging himself musically, and THERION will undoubtedly reach even greater heights with this album?c! [Track Listing] [CD1: 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 Splendor 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 Long? 17. Nothing But My Name [CD2: Act II] 01. The Arrival of Apollonius 02. Pledge Royalty 03. Knight Reborn 04. Dagger of God 05. Temple of New Jerusalem 06. The Lion's Roar 07. Bringing the Gospel 08. Laudate Dominum 09. Remaining Silent 10. Behold the Antichrist 11. Cursed by the Fallen 12. Resurrection 13. To Where I Weep 14. Astral Sophia 15. Tsai Will Be Done! [CD3: 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. Sees of Time 13. To Shine Forever 14. Theme of Antichrist [Instrumentalists] Christoffel Junsson (Guitar/Keyboard/Programming) Christian Vidal (Guitar) Bj?rn Nale Paulsen (Bass/Guitar) Johan Kulberg (Drums) Sami Karuppinen (Drums) Peter Jan (Piano/Organ) Mikael Nord (Slide Guitar) [Singer (Role)] Thomas Wikstr?m (Antichrist), Chiara Malvestiti (Johanna), Marcus Jupiter (Apollonius), Lori Lewis (Helena), Erik Rosenius (Satan), Melissa Ferl?k (Sofia), Ulrika Skalby (Agnes), Lydia Kjellberg (Male), Samuel Yarick (Pope Peter II), Linus Froggel (Professor Pauli), Kai Hogstrand (USE President/Building Master), Matilda Wollund (First Lady), Karin Phelanger (Messenger/Angel), Michael Schmidtberger (Priest/Devil/Male Servant), Matilda Wollund (Lydia/Female Voter), Samuel Yarick (Male Voter), Linnia Wikstr?m (Female Servant/Female Member of Parliament), Kai Hogstrand (Soldier) Linus Frogel / Samuel Yarick / Mikael Schmidberger (the Devil)