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"Symphony For A Misanthrope" sounds like a good title for a black metal album but this is far from what might be expected. It is the sixth album from the American progressive rock band Magellan. Actually the title still reflects the music as it is probably the darkest sounding offering from the Gardner brothers Trent and Wayne since their 1991 debut "Hour Of Restoration". As usual it opens up with a very nice classical intro which has become a trademark of the band. Then comes an album worth of progressive rock and then it's over. How do I feel? To be honest, I'm in the same place as when I began listening. It is a solid prog album with the usual high quality InsideOut production but there are no surprises. The ballad-like song "Wisdom" doesn't grab me and not even the 18 minute epic "Cranium Reef Suite" makes much of an impression. The musicians know what they're doing though and I would have been able to enjoy this soothing album if only the keyboard sound had not been so annoying. The keyboard is rather fundamental for this album which kind of spoils everything in the end and it is a true earsore.
The cover art pleases the eye more but perhaps it looks a little bit too similar to the latest White Willow album. Like any other album it has its ups and downs but the downs are too many to make it stand out in the tough competition of today. Trent does a very good job behind the microphone but other than that, the intro aside, I find it hard to praise "Symphony For A Misanthrope" which is weaker than most of its predecessors. I usually appreciate music with a darker shade but there are of course exceptions. A decent release but there are many other more interesting prog albums to explore before digging into this one. Hardcore fans of the band will not be disappointed though I believe. I myself would have appreciated less chaos and more of a red line in the songs.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Symphonette |
| 2. Why Water Weeds? |
| 3. Wisdom |
| 4. Cranium Reef Suite |
| 5. Pianissimo Intermission |
| 6. Doctor Concoctor |
| 7. Every Bullet Needs Blood |
: 46.57
| Buy other Magellan albums |
