Secret of the Runes [Import]

Secret of the Runes [Import]

Track Listings

1. Ginnungagap

2. Midgård

3. Asgåro

4. Jotunheim

5. Schwarzalbenheim

6. Liusalfheim

7. Muspelheim

8. Nifelheim

9. Vanaheim

10. Helheim

11. Secret of the Runes

12. Crying Days

13. Summernight City

14. Seawinds

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Japanese edition of the Swedish death metal band's 2001 album. Includes three exclusive Japanese bonus tracks, 'Crying Days', 'Summernight City ', 'Seawinds'.

Tracks:

Ginnungagap
Midgard
Asgard
Jotunheim
Schwarzalbenheim
Ljusalfheim
Muspelheim
Nifelheim
Vanaheim
Helheim
Secret Of The Runes

Customer Reviews:

Simply beautiful..........2007-04-16

Metal and symphony; symphony and metal - two disparate musical presentations that are related only in their absolute sincerity and sheer intensity. Yet, there are approximately seventeen bands for every person currently living in Northern Europe that attempt to combine the two into a single entity. Some succeed admirably, others fail miserably, but none seem to capture the true possibilities of such a mix like Therion do on this offering.

As a seemingly perfect setting for such music, Secret of the Runes takes the listener on a majestic journey through the nine worlds of Norse mythology. Ginnungagap, the prologue, which depicts the vast expanse of emptiness that gave birth to the universe; Midgard, the earthly realm of men; Asgard, the heavenly realm of the Gods; Jotunheim, the looming realm of the giants; Schwarzalbenheim, the dark realm of the dwarves; Ljusalfheim, the fair realm of the elves; Muspelheim, the hellish realm of fire and home to the fire giants; Nifelheim, the realm of ice and cold; Vanaheim, home to the Gods alongside Asgard; Helheim, the underworld; and the title track, the epilogue, which depicts the end of Odin's journey and his acquisition of the knowledge of the runes - all are rendered in vivid tapestries of fully realized harmony. In fact, Secret of the Runes is so rich in non-metallic harmony that I hesitate to dub this a metal album so much as an album of traditional Norse songcraft with moments of notable heaviness thrown in for dramatic effect and mood.

Indeed, the most crushing thing to be found here is over and done with at the very beginning. "Ginnungagap" is, from any given angle, a very heavy thing. The riffs are slow, deep, chugging monsters; the drum work is methodical, undeniably impactful, and straightforward; the vocal harmonizations are sinister; and the guitar solo that comes in about halfway through the song is a stunning work of tremolo-heavy melodicism that goes from downright evil in its first half to triumphant and uplifting in its second. There is a sort of low point shortly after which involves a keyboard line reminiscent of Game Boy-era Zelda, but it doesn't last very long. The song fades out as it came in... and then the album begins to reveal its true heart.

Solo violin and oboe. A string ensemble that includes violins, violas, and cellos. A woodwind ensemble that includes flute, piccolo, oboe, bassoon, and contrabassoon. A brass ensemble that includes trumpet, trombone, French horn, Wagner tuba, and Flugelhorn. Solo soprano, alto, and tenor of both the female and male side. A full-fledged choir featuring everything from coloratura soprano to bass-baritone... and the band itself - a quartet of rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, and drums that shows commendable restraint throughout. These are the soul of the music that the listener will be subject to over the next forty minutes.

"Midgard" features light, heavenly vocal performances on top of gently strummed background guitar, with a noteworthy double-tapped solo towards the end. "Asgard" bursts with energy from the outset and moves through moderately distorted chord progressions with female solo soprano and male solo tenor trading off in the spotlight, finally finishing with two soaring, melodious guitar solos. "Jotunheim", with its flourishing woodwinds juxtaposed against overdriven guitars, is a brooding track with an outro that sees drummer Sami Karppinen finally having a chance to break out of the box with some absolutely killer fills backing a chanting male vocal - "Thursar! Jotunheimr! Resar! Jotunheimr! Jotnar! Jotunheimr!" Next, we arrive in "Schwarzalbenhelm", which is sung entirely in German and maintains a dark mood throughout up until a beautiful string section, which features a solo violin opposite a solo cello. "Ljusalfheim", ripe with joyous acoustic guitars and soaring choral work, contains a dreamy, whispering vocal in the chorus (performed by guest vocalist Thomas Karlsson) that adds a sense of tranquility to the music. The track comes to a close with another soaring guitar solo, and leads us to what's probably the single most impressive thing to be heard on this journey - "Muspelheim", which is flawed only in its unfortunate brevity. It starts with a gorgeous solo soprano soaring over a male choir, and without warning explodes into a riff that is more than worthy of the hellish inferno that it serves to represent. The performance that follows is extraordinarily striking, as a rippling female vocal (reminiscent of an underwater effect) trades off with a male counterpart, moves into a brief string section, and culminates with an acoustic guitar melody placed against heavily distorted splashes of electric guitar before repeating the cycle from the start. "Nifelheim" enters with a beautiful a capella - bass, tenor, alto, and soprano come together over an airy drum progression, and continue to provide engaging performances through to the end, where the deep intonations of "Jormundgand! Nidhogg!" are uttered over tribal drums. A solo string performance opens up "Vanaheim", and follows through into a weeping duet of woodwinds and acoustic guitars. The song takes on a metallic flavor here, with an excellent central riff and more standout vocal performances from the male side of the fence. Closure comes in the form of upbeat drums and a guitar solo, and the listener is ushered into the final realm - "Helheim". Male chanting accentuated by female soprano kicks things off, and moves into an excellent solo male vocal performance backed by a string ensemble. Overdriven guitars and a solid rhythmic foundation make a smooth transition into the final step of the journey - "Secret of the Runes". Somber interplay between lead and rhythm guitar, solid vocal performances, brooding double bass drums, and prominent brass augmentation signals the end of this magnificent quest and brings the album to its end.

Secret of the Runes is a wonderful show and an accomplished work. Stunning performances and delivery, masterful songwriting and arrangements, and a solid grasp of the concept on display. Highly recommended to all fans of symphonic metal and to those who have always wondered about the potential of such a marriage.

Therions Best and Worst album.......2006-09-26

There's been a lot of discussion about this album on Therion's band site, with even Christofer Johnson commenting on it himself in interviews.

Basically for the hardcore Therion fans this is usually their favorite album. For most others this is considered the weakest album and actually has the weakest sales. Fans leaning towards classical music preferences tend to favor this album, fans of heavy metal tend to think it is lame, but still worth a listen. I for one love it, but I'm a big Therion fan, and love the classical elements.

The first thing to understand about ALL Therion albums is that you must listen to them several times before it sinks in. They almost always don't sound so good the first listen until you have given it time to sink in.

This album is more opera oriented than any other album, with the vocals being very loud and prominent, while at the same time the symphony is less prominent, in fact the violens and such are played in a more folkish style than classical. You also have some Wagner inspired trumpets and such in a few songs which some fans of classical music really enjoy. The drumming is rather good and very (loud) prominent as well but compliment the vocals very nicely. Likewise some awsome guitar solo's. Musically much more complicated that say Vovin, much less complicated than Deggial.

Overall this album is basically an opera with some folkish inspired classical arrangements and basic rock band backing it up. Along with some awsome guitar solo's. The theme is obviously the nine levels of the world tree yggdrasl in Nordic Mythology, which relates to the Nordic runes.

Dream Theater and Transiberian Orchestra who? Therion are ingenius!.......2006-08-13

Secret of the runes is one of Therion's greatest masterpeices. You get the full on symphony, a lead spinto soprano's voice soaring over it, choir, and various other awesome instruments added into heavy metallica-esque riffing.

Therion have a truly unique style that is in a big way grander than the likes of Cradle of filth and Dream Theater. The music is technical. The melodies flow perfectly and are often beautiful. The mix and mastering of the CD is great. There is not one dull moment but it may be a challenge to hear if you are not a fan of opera, classical, or heavy progressive metal.

"...Your whisper told me the secret of the runes.".......2006-06-08

Except for an occasional whisper, the vocals on this CD are all operatic, or at the least classical. There are no growls, no talking, not even any "normal" singing voices. The lyrics are presented with pure beauty by three soloists, two female and one male, whom are backed by an eight person choir, four each of male and female. Add Therion's amazing metal presentations, an eight member string ensemble, three performers on woodwinds and four on brass, and the result is not only music about the gods, it is music fit for the gods. If there are other productions out there of this type, I have not heard them. Being so unique, it (and any others like it) deserve their own genre, perhaps power opera. But regardless of the name, anyone who likes power anything, or anyone who enjoys opera, should be required by law to listen to this production at least once. Then, like me, they would probably end up purchasing their own copy. It is not in my top five list but very close; in fact a few more plays may result in a shake up of that order. (Please see my profile for a brief discussion of my rating philosophy.)

Great stuff!.......2005-09-26

I love this album... highly recommend it! It's a really beautiful and deep style to the Norse myths and the nine worlds. The little clips above don't do the songs justice, they dont let you listen to the best parts of the songs in my opinion.

My favorite songs are definitely Midgard, Muspelheim, and also Ginnugagap although I hate that one part that sounds like video game music, I have no idea why they put that there! Vanaheim and Niflheim are also great tracks.

I don't like Helheim, Ljusalfheim or Asgard as much, but that's just me.

Average customer rating:

This sure is not the same Therion that I remember
The ultimate evolutionary development of heavy metal

Secret of the Runes
Therion
Manufacturer: Toy's Factory Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Deggial

ASIN: B00005UC08
Release Date: 2002-01-23

Tracks:

Ginnungagap
Midgard
Asg
Jotunheim
Schwarzalbenheim
Liusalfheim
Muspelheim
Nifelheim
Vanaheim
Helheim
Secret of the Runes
Crying Days
Summernight City
Seawinds

Album Description

Japanese edition of the Swedish death metal band's 2001 album. Includes three exclusive Japanese bonus tracks, 'Crying Days', 'Summernight City ', 'Seawinds'.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Two Bonus Tracks: 'crying Dats', and 'seawinds'

Customer Reviews:

This sure is not the same Therion that I remember.......2006-02-11

I've made many attempts to listen to this, but I just do not like it. I do not understand how the reviewer below me can call this metal.

This is definitely not metal. Perhaps they should release albums like this under a different name.

The ultimate evolutionary development of heavy metal.......2004-03-23

Therion is one of a kind. I bought this for the great remake of ABBA's "Summer night City" because it is simply staggering, but I was introduced to an entire album's worth of symphonic, choir-sung heavy metal and I am speechless.
Here there are no synthesizers, but in fact the real instruments taking center stage with the guitars. You'll also find no typically substandard heavy metal singers who cut their chops in the shower, but authentic choirs of professional, operatic voices. It has been said that the most powerful instrument is the human voice, and Therion here provides proof.
Much credit needs to be given to Christofer Johnsson, Therion's mastermind and resident composer. This guy clearly has skills above and beyond what is required for heavy metal, as he has written out intricate symphonic and choral pieces to embellish his metal riffs.
Yes, it's metal, but then again it's more than that. It definitely requires some time to adjust your ears to, but once acclimated you'll be glad you have been privy to this spectacle.
I believe the works of Rainbow and perhaps the symphonic trend that some metal bands have taken are good preparation for this experience.

Average customer rating:

Perfectly Perfect
Consistantly Brilliant

Secret of the Runes
Therion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005RZTL

Tracks:

Ginnungagap
Midgard
Asgard
Jotunheim
Schwarzalbenheim
Ljusalfheim
Nifelheim
Vanaheim
Helheim
Secret Of The Runes
Crying Days (Bonus Track)
Summernight City (Bonus Track)
The King (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Import edition of the Swedish death metal band's 2001 album includes three bonus tracks,'Crying Days', 'Summernight City' & 'The King'. Packaged in a slipcase.

Customer Reviews:

Perfectly Perfect.......2002-01-15

What can you say about Therion ?? .... they are a legendary Death Metal band ... I listen usually to symphonies and Opera & i never thought that death metal is an art untill i listened to ( Raise of Sodom and Gomorrah ) by Therion ... then my life changed ... i became a big fan ... i have 6 albums and this one is the last .... they are treasure for anyone like the labile melody which continously change in harmony with great inspiration ... their music combine the opera style with great voices & greate performance with Guitar ... you cannot belive how these people can combine 2 different things without conflict between the two ... it is really worth the try ... try their music ... you won't regret it ... i myself as a cartoonist cannot draw or imagie superheroes or villains without listening to their music first.

Consistantly Brilliant.......2001-12-12

With the release of his new album "The Secret of the Runes", Christopher Johnsson has once again proven that he is not a man to rest upon his laurels ,as he has shown us with his new masterpiece. The guitars are more prominant and pervasive, much like those on "Deggial", yet this album still has some of the subtleties of "Vovin". The intricacies of the choir are very impressive as they form a more complex arrangment advancing Johnsson's muscial vision. This version of the CD is a Korean import which has three bonus tracks, the third of which, "The King", is the same cover version of the Accept song which appeared on the tribute put out by Nuclear Blast records. The other two songs, "Crying Days", and "Summernight City", are covers of the Scorpions and ABBA ,respectively, which have been previously released by Nuclear Blast, although in a somewhat different format. For this CD, these two songs have been remastered and remixed with "Crying Days" sounding more clear and incisive, and "Summernight City" sounding much improved. The ABBA cover, which appeared on the Nuclear Blast tribute to ABBA and Beauty in Darkness 5 was brilliant in it's intent, but the choir and orchestrations where muddy and restrained which made for an overall disappointment of a listen. With this release, however, this problem has been rectified. For those fans of Therion that have not bought the "Secret of the Runes" yet, I would recommend that you buy this copy instead (it is at a good price), as the American release does not have the bonus songs. For those of you that have and enjoy " The Secret of the Runes",but have the US version, this CD may be a welcome addition, if only for the bonus tracks. Brilliant orchestral and choir grace seamlessly combined with heavy metal music. How rare it is to find brilliance in thinking and composition, and how lucky we are to have this new work from Christopher Johnsson and Therion.

Average customer rating: