Therion - Secret Of The Runes
| Release date: | 2001 |
| Style: | Symphonic metal |
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Owners: |
707 have it 51 want it 1 trades it |
01. Ginnungagap (Prologue)
02. Midgård
03. Asgård
04. Jotunheim
05. Schwarzalbenheim
06. Ljusalfheim
07. Muspelheim
08. Nifelheim
09. Vanaheim
10. Helheim
11. Secret Of The Runes (Epilogue)
12. Crying Days [Scorpions cover]
13. Summernight City [ABBA cover]
Top 20 albums of 2001: 18
02. Midgård
03. Asgård
04. Jotunheim
05. Schwarzalbenheim
06. Ljusalfheim
07. Muspelheim
08. Nifelheim
09. Vanaheim
10. Helheim
11. Secret Of The Runes (Epilogue)
12. Crying Days [Scorpions cover]
13. Summernight City [ABBA cover]
Top 20 albums of 2001: 18
Review
Lyrics Kristian Niemann - guitars
Christofer Johnsson - guitar, keyboards, percussion
Sami Karppinen - drums, percussion
Johan Niemann - bass
Additional musicians:
Marika Schonberg - vocals (solo soprano)
Erika Andersson - vocals (solo alto)
Carl Rahmqvist - vocals (solo tenor-baritone)
Anna Rodell - violin (solo)
Asa Akerberg - cello (solo)
Thomas Karlsson - whispered vocals
Fareidah Hildebrand - flute, alt flute, piccolo
Erik Rodell - oboe, English horn
Henrik Blixt - bassoon, contrabassoon
Mikael Sorensen - trumpet, fluegelhorn
Ayman Al Fakir - horn, Wagner tuba
Kristina Borg - French horn
Rune Bodin - trombone
Choir: Kristina Hansson, Anna-Maria Krawe, Anna Arthursson, Marika Schonberg, Henrik Holmberg, Patrik Forsman, Carl Rahmqvist, Joakim Berg. -
String ensemble:
Violin: Anna Rodell, Josef Cabrales-Alin, Malin Samuelsson, Johan Moren -
Viola: Linda Svedrup, Niklas Sjunesson
Cello: Asa Akerberg, Monica Jonsson
Additional info
Produced by C. Johnsson and Therion.
Engineered by S. Karppinen.
Assistant engineering by K. Niemann and C. Johnsson.
Mixed by Mikko Karmila.
Mastered by Mika Jussila and Mikko Karmila.
Recorded during the spring 2001 at Modern Art, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mixed and mastered in June-July at Finnvox, Helsinki, Finland.
All songs on Secret of the Runes were written by Christofer Johnsson/Thomas Karlsson, except "Ginnungagap" which was written by Kristian Niemann/Christofer Johnsson/Thomas Karlsson.
All classic and opera arrangemants by C. Johnsson.
German translation on "Schwarzalbenheim" by Christian Ratsch.
Cover & Layout by Thomas Ewerhard.
The bonus tracks on this CD: Recorded at DA Studio, Stockholm, winter 1999 by Sami Karppinen.
Remixed at Finnvox Studio July 2001 by Mikko Karmila.
Mastered at Finnvox Studio July 2001 by Mika Jussila and Mikko Karmila.
Additional melodies and classic arrangements by Christofer Johnsson.
This album was also put in a paper folder in the back of a German limited
edition of the Uthark book, written by Thomas Karlsson, discussing the Uthark-theory first advocated by the Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell in the in the 1930's. It basically meant that there was a deeper, (darker), secret (magic) side of the runes that only the runemaster knew about.
Rating:
10
10
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Rating: 10 |
I knew it! Since I listened to the last Nightwish and didn't enjoy it too much... Something was missing. Now listening to Secret Of The Runes, I have the answer: thrash metal! For those who don't know Therion, I can say that it's the perfect combination of symphonic metal and thrash metal. Therion's frontman and founder, Christofer Johnsson, is a real genius. I understand now that he claims to be the founder of symphonic metal, a long time before Nightwish Theli in 1996]. Honestly, Secret Of The Runes is my first Therion album but I want to do the review because I've just found what I was looking for since the discovery of symphonic metal... Unlike the Finnish band, Therion uses a full choir registry - including tenors, sopranos, altos and baritons - as lead vocalists. Even if I love Tarja's voice, it's clear that the result is different here. One other difference is the fact that Therion uses a 'real' orchestra instead of keyboards and flute. These are the differences between Therion and Nightwish on the symphonic aspect of their music but, of course, the main difference is that Therion has also gothic thrash metal backgrounds. Well, I hope you understand that, in my mind, Nightwish and Therion sound very different! But let's talk about Therion now! Concretely, Secret Of The Runes is a concept album about Nordic mythology. That's why it contains songs with such names as 'Asgard' or 'Midgard'. Read more ›› |
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Comments
Comments: 13
Visited by: 657 users
| musicalkaratekid Posts: 1506 |
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| Rhiannon Account deleted |
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| Unhealer Eclecticist Posts: 2311  |
Best Therion album, yes sir. I was so happy when they played it on it's entirety in their last tour...
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| Valentin B Iconoclast Posts: 10094  |
That solo in Ginnungagap is absolutely epic! I get a feeling I am flying through deep valleys and mountains when I listen to this album and that song in particular 
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| indexqwest Posts: 103  |
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| Hex_Omega Gem Seeker Posts: 1178 |
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| masterofdisguise Posts: 89  |
Written by Hex_Omega on 01.01.2016 at 20:46 Totally agree, definitely their best. This album is pure magic, each track is a travel through the respective world, all you can do is relax and let the music carry yourself away.
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| Spacerunner Posts: 258  |
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| Antartic Posts: 14  |
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| nonZero Posts: 1334  |
I really struggled to appreciate this album when I first heard it but have grown to really enjoy it over time. The concept of exploring each of the Nordic Realms in an album is a fantastic idea! 8.7/10 for me - 'Ginnungagap (Prologue)', 'Asgård', 'Ljusalfheim', 'Muspelheim' and 'Vanaheim' are the standout tracks. Their 3rd best album after Theli (9.0/10) and Lemura (8.8/10) IMO.
---- Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated) Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres) So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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| F3ynman Nocturnal Bro Contributor Posts: 3031  |
Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 11:21 Oh! This has grabbed my attention! I need to listen to this album now...
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| nonZero Posts: 1334 |
Written by F3ynman on 14.03.2022 at 18:59 You won't be disappointed. Just don't expect the same level as Theli.
---- Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated) Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres) So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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| F3ynman Nocturnal Bro Contributor Posts: 3031 |
Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 19:07 It was very enjoyable, thanks 
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