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When Italy's occult metallers Opera IX released their masterpiece "The Black Opera: Symphoniae Mysteriorum In Laudem Tenebrarum" in the year 2000 they became one of my favorite bands. Then the band parted with their front woman Cadaveria and, evidently finding it hard to cope with this loss, released a rather flat album called "Maleventum" in 2002. They never gave up though and now they return with a brand new album called "Anphisbena". Having relied much on heavy guitar rhythms and the powerful voice of Cadaveria in the past, Opera IX now introduces new elements to their fans. "Anphisbena" is by far the most diverse release from the band so far and I am glad that they have found new paths to explore while still not parting with their musical past and characteristic sound. The production is also clearer than it has been on any previous album thanks to the use of the Italian Only-Music Studio which is usually not visited by metal bands at all. A reason for choosing this studio was that the music of Opera IX now includes a lot of different acoustic instruments such as cellos, harp, woodflutes, bodhran, uillieann pipe and also some occasional female vocals. It feels as if a lot more thought has been put into the songs this time than what was found on "Maleventum" and it is almost impossible to define this album genrewise. The pagan and / or occult concept is apparent as always in the lyrics and while there are a lot of black and death metal influences you can also find folk music, doom metal and a few Iron Maiden nods in these songs. As one band in a long row, Opera IX also takes the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Quorthon with a wonderful cover of the classic Bathory epic "One Road To Asa Bay". After a minor decline, Opera IX are now definitely on the right track again.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Many Moons Ago |
| 2. The Serpent's Nemeton |
| 3. The Prophecy |
| 4. In Hoc Signo Sanguinis |
| 5. Immortal Chant |
| 6. Scell Lem Duibh |
| 7. In The Sixth Tower |
| 8. Battle Cry |
| 9. Anphisbena |
| 10. One Rode To Asa Bay |
: 66.10
| Buy other Opera IX albums |
