My first encounter with "Foreign" music, I got it from a friend on tape and he printed the lyrics for me, and so began a love story (with the album, not the friend xD)

It's a fine metal craft.

Another great 'tage album. It's dramatic, slow, progressive, moving and has a very unique mood to it. Why not a 9? I guess it's because the lack of 1-2 true killer tracks to amp up the stakes.

Written by majormalfunction on 03.04.2020 at 16:08

Another great 'tage album. It's dramatic, slow, progressive, moving and has a very unique mood to it. Why not a 9? I guess it's because the lack of 1-2 true killer tracks to amp up the stakes.

Yes, I am with you on this.
I did appreciate this album way more back at the time of its release, although it is very different from all the predecing albums -- maybe Streets comes closest, due to the concept approach. It is an entirely beautiful album.
But somehow it didnt age very well for me. Do not come back to it often, last full spin probably 20 years ago.

Written by Redel on 03.04.2020 at 17:11

Yes, I am with you on this.
I did appreciate this album way more back at the time of its release, although it is very different from all the predecing albums -- maybe Streets comes closest, due to the concept approach. It is an entirely beautiful album.
But somehow it didnt age very well for me. Do not come back to it often, last full spin probably 20 years ago.

Yeah I see what your saying. I also very rarely spin this one, mainly due to it's slow pace and somewhat unique atmosphere, it's not one of those easy albums which you can listen to anytime. This one needs a bit more concentrate to enjoy fully, which is both a positivt and negative thing.

Written by majormalfunction on 03.04.2020 at 18:55

Yeah I see what your saying. I also very rarely spin this one, mainly due to it's slow pace and somewhat unique atmosphere, it's not one of those easy albums which you can listen to anytime. This one needs a bit more concentrate to enjoy fully, which is both a positivt and negative thing.

Exactly, well put.

I have heard the album already years ago and I didn't wanna to say it's dogshit right away. After more listens it doesn't get better. Also I don't see the appeal in this kind of music; is this aimed to rich people who go to opera, but for some reason don't go to real opera and go for Savatage opera instead? I don't like any of the songs very much, "This Is The Time" is my favorite here but even that I don't listen to almost ever. So, I'd claim the album almost as filler as whole, but it does manage to dodge the lowest ratings by not being totally bad an album. Why isn't Jon the main vocalist as he sounds way more Savatage than Zak

Written by Jope of Steele on 03.07.2020 at 13:12

I have heard the album already years ago and I didn't wanna to say it's dogshit right away. After more listens it doesn't get better. Also I don't see the appeal in this kind of music; is this aimed to rich people who go to opera, but for some reason don't go to real opera and go for Savatage opera instead? I don't like any of the songs very much, "This Is The Time" is my favorite here but even that I don't listen to almost ever. So, I'd claim the album almost as filler as whole, but it does manage to dodge the lowest ratings by not being totally bad an album. Why isn't Jon the main vocalist as he sounds way more Savatage than Zak

Total opposite of my views on this one. Nailed on 10 for me. I don't give many full marks. It's an emotional album and story throughout delivered with some of the best songs the band has ever done. Maybe only Streets rivals this. The shared vocals gives a good and evil twist to the concept and this works brilliantly. There would be no Trans Siberian Orchestra if it wasn't for this album.

Written by The Shape 1973 on 03.07.2020 at 15:18

Written by Jope of Steele on 03.07.2020 at 13:12

I have heard the album already years ago and I didn't wanna to say it's dogshit right away. After more listens it doesn't get better. Also I don't see the appeal in this kind of music; is this aimed to rich people who go to opera, but for some reason don't go to real opera and go for Savatage opera instead? I don't like any of the songs very much, "This Is The Time" is my favorite here but even that I don't listen to almost ever. So, I'd claim the album almost as filler as whole, but it does manage to dodge the lowest ratings by not being totally bad an album. Why isn't Jon the main vocalist as he sounds way more Savatage than Zak

Total opposite of my views on this one. Nailed on 10 for me. I don't give many full marks. It's an emotional album and story throughout delivered with some of the best songs the band has ever done. Maybe only Streets rivals this. The shared vocals gives a good and evil twist to the concept and this works brilliantly. There would be no Trans Siberian Orchestra if it wasn't for this album.

Half opposite: I didn't rate it 1 and I don't think it's super bad just lesser average I don't quite see this album's songs as some of the best Savatage songs, maybe there is good short moments here and there, but none of the whole songs is really impressive to me. Can't say about Streets for now, I will have to recheck it, but most probably I will be shitting on it, if I remember correctly how it sounds. Stay tuned for more comments of Steele