Archangels In Black Review

Released: Feb 2, 2009
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Listenable
Number Of Tracks: 9
If you salivate at the thought of another Petrucci-esque guitar player to fawn over, then this is worth a listen.

Sound:	5
Lyrics:	6
Impression:	6
Overall rating:	5.7
Users rating:	8.8
Comments:	22

overall: 5.7

Featured review by: UG Team, on february 04, 2009

Sound: I know that, as a reviewer, my job is to take in every last second of a record and judge the full picture. However, the way that Adagio chose to introduce their new album sets off alarm bells immediately; the intro to ‘Vamphyri’ sounds suspiciously like a malnourished dog trying to sing ‘Slaughter Of The Soul’. Still, after 45 minutes of solid music that sort of thing can be forgotten and forgiven; unfortunately not applicable here. This album is more or less defined by the descriptors ‘progressive’, ‘power’ and ‘symphonic’, and already you should be forming a vague idea of what Adagio sound like. Typical for this style, the production is slick and shiny, but there are some passably dirty riffs with friction that is quickly smoothed over by some peripheral keyboard melody.

A more positive impression that the beginning of ‘Archangels In Black’ gives is that of the lead guitar. Stéphan Forté is a very talented guitar player, with a cohesive soloing style and a good ear for melody. It’s not just the first song either; every song has at least twenty-five quality guitar solos included. Those moments where he takes centre-stage are the most enjoyable on the album. Just as well, considering how frequently that is. // 5

Lyrics and Singing: ‘Archangels In Black’ is the debut of the band’s third vocalist, Christian Palin. A fan of male ‘operatic’ vocals may disagree but I see very little of interest in his vocals. He hits his notes charismatically; however the bombastic tone of voice does not help deflate the music’s underlying egotism, so wonderfully showcased by the wishy-washy orchestral wank of ‘Codex Oscura’. The lyrics match the semi-gothic aesthetic of the album artwork and the band members themselves. It’s not all about blackened angels and vampires and the like, but a large portion of the words sung are at least tenuously linked to that stock set of images. They are, however, twisted around some philosophical subtext, but from a ‘progressive symphonic metal’ band, what did you expect? // 6

Impression: Bizarre intros aside, this album could be much worse. It could, after all, not have any of that wonderful lead guitar and instead be comprised entirely of dime-a-dozen riffs and predictable vocal lines. It says a lot when something as cosmetic as lead guitar can bump up an album’s rating by a point or two. It can say a lot about the guitarist, of course, but it also says a lot about the inadequacy of the rest of the band in comparison. If you do salivate at the thought of another Petrucci-esque guitar player to fawn over, then certainly ‘Archangels In Black’ is worth a listen, but otherwise there are releases much more deserving of your attention. // 6

- Duncan Geddes aka duncang (c) 2009

Comments

[DarkValo666]

I quite agree with this review, but at least it has got a sick cover artwork

[jetfuel495]

I can see the Petrucci fanboys coming out of the woodwork any time now >__>

May be worth a spin, I might check it out just for the guitar lines.

[fireyqwerty]

i think ill pick this up to check out this guitartist plus i think the art is bitchin hahaha

[DreamScape]

I love Adagio! The band is sick, and the single off the album "Vamphyr" is killer!

[Lohnanmilitia]

Yeah, the album cover is ****ing awesome, but I think I'll give it chance as well.

[Shreddie-Sharp]

though I loved the 3 albums before this much more :/ they have.. changed... in a.. not really as good as before way

[Peres.T.Peanut]

They seem like a good band. Will check them out later. Ill take the risk of not beeing original and say that the album cover is sick...so..THE ALBUM COVER IS SICK >.

[strat07]

Sad... The album sounds really forced and it doesn't flow like the albums before it. I found myself even a bit bored while listening to it 6/10 from me. It's a real pity, such great and talented band, after Sanctus Ignis and Dominate -> this :S

[BlackSymphony6]

very fair review

[Arcanas]

This is a terrible review, let me explain why.
1. Petrucci-esque - Petrucci is primarily a speed picker, Stephan's style is much more varied and is more similar to the jazz guys and Marty Friedman than Petrucci. Thus the reviewer expresses his ignorance.
2. The vocals aren't operatic, and here is more ignorance - high pitched does NOT mean operatic.
3. 25 guitar solos per song - try three at tops, I don't think this guy was even listening.
4. Vamphyri sounds nothing like Slaughter of the Soul in any way other than a similar genre. Comparing the two is like comparing Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, two vastly different bands in a slightly similar direction.

I distrust this man's taste and experience, he is likely to be a fan of American 'core' genres with this review. It doesn't even sound like he listened to the album other than the solos.

Anyways, I don't understand people calling it a letdown from Dominate, considering how Dominate-still a good album-had much more simple writing and lyrics, and only had two to-standards musical highlights (Dominate and Children of the Dead Lake).

So to sum, this 'review' is what you get when someone with no ear, sensibility, experience in, or taste for music is given an album. Review gets a 0, album gets a 9.

[Nightfyre]

Arcanas wrote:

This is a terrible review, let me explain why.
1. Petrucci-esque - Petrucci is primarily a speed picker, Stephan's style is much more varied and is more similar to the jazz guys and Marty Friedman than Petrucci. Thus the reviewer expresses his ignorance.
2. The vocals aren't operatic, and here is more ignorance - high pitched does NOT mean operatic.
3. 25 guitar solos per song - try three at tops, I don't think this guy was even listening.
4. Vamphyri sounds nothing like Slaughter of the Soul in any way other than a similar genre. Comparing the two is like comparing Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, two vastly different bands in a slightly similar direction.

I distrust this man's taste and experience, he is likely to be a fan of American 'core' genres with this review. It doesn't even sound like he listened to the album other than the solos.

Anyways, I don't understand people calling it a letdown from Dominate, considering how Dominate-still a good album-had much more simple writing and lyrics, and only had two to-standards musical highlights (Dominate and Children of the Dead Lake).

So to sum, this 'review' is what you get when someone with no ear, sensibility, experience in, or taste for music is given an album. Review gets a 0, album gets a 9.

Aside from the -core implication that's one of the better review rebuttals I've read. I wasn't going to look at this one, but after reading this I found Vamphiry on youtube. Vocals are ok, riffs are fun, song overall didn't impress but i've gotten away from prog-power over the past few months. Solos (3 of them, not 25) were tasteful and varied. There's a definite style to them that allows you to predict them to a certain extent, but more in the overall flow of the solo rather than knowing exactly what's going to happen next. Might check out some of their other stuff, looks like some of the older material might be better.

[isildurs_bane]

listen to 'Mirror Stage'. I believe that is the best they have written. Will check this out, eventually.

[Crazy Booduh]

Arcanas wrote:

This is a terrible review, let me explain why.
1. Petrucci-esque - Petrucci is primarily a speed picker, Stephan's style is much more varied and is more similar to the jazz guys and Marty Friedman than Petrucci. Thus the reviewer expresses his ignorance.
2. The vocals aren't operatic, and here is more ignorance - high pitched does NOT mean operatic.
3. 25 guitar solos per song - try three at tops, I don't think this guy was even listening.
4. Vamphyri sounds nothing like Slaughter of the Soul in any way other than a similar genre. Comparing the two is like comparing Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, two vastly different bands in a slightly similar direction.

I distrust this man's taste and experience, he is likely to be a fan of American 'core' genres with this review. It doesn't even sound like he listened to the album other than the solos.

Anyways, I don't understand people calling it a letdown from Dominate, considering how Dominate-still a good album-had much more simple writing and lyrics, and only had two to-standards musical highlights (Dominate and Children of the Dead Lake).

So to sum, this 'review' is what you get when someone with no ear, sensibility, experience in, or taste for music is given an album. Review gets a 0, album gets a 9.

I haven't listened to AIB yet (besides the two released songs) but Stephen Forte is one my favorite guitarists and Adagio is one of my all-time favorite bands - Arcanas is spot on with every one of his points.

Everyone should do themselves a favor and check out Adagio's earlier albums: Sanctus Ignis, Underworld, and Dominate. Their first two albums have a lot of classical influence while Dominate is a little more straightforward metal. Underworld is their most progressive album and would be in my top 5 CDs of all time.

[Crazy Booduh]

Arcanas wrote:

This is a terrible review, let me explain why.
1. Petrucci-esque - Petrucci is primarily a speed picker, Stephan's style is much more varied and is more similar to the jazz guys and Marty Friedman than Petrucci. Thus the reviewer expresses his ignorance.
2. The vocals aren't operatic, and here is more ignorance - high pitched does NOT mean operatic.
3. 25 guitar solos per song - try three at tops, I don't think this guy was even listening.
4. Vamphyri sounds nothing like Slaughter of the Soul in any way other than a similar genre. Comparing the two is like comparing Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, two vastly different bands in a slightly similar direction.

I distrust this man's taste and experience, he is likely to be a fan of American 'core' genres with this review. It doesn't even sound like he listened to the album other than the solos.

Anyways, I don't understand people calling it a letdown from Dominate, considering how Dominate-still a good album-had much more simple writing and lyrics, and only had two to-standards musical highlights (Dominate and Children of the Dead Lake).

So to sum, this 'review' is what you get when someone with no ear, sensibility, experience in, or taste for music is given an album. Review gets a 0, album gets a 9.

I haven't listened to AIB yet (besides the two released songs) but Stephen Forte is one my favorite guitarists and Adagio is one of my all-time favorite bands - Arcanas is spot on with every one of his points.

Everyone should do themselves a favor and check out Adagio's earlier albums: Sanctus Ignis, Underworld, and Dominate. Their first two albums have a lot of classical influence whereas Dominate is more straightforward metal (but still great). Underworld is easily their most progressive album and is in my top 5 CDs of all time.

I'm really looking forward to this album even though it's looking like Dominate 2.0.

[Mahoru]

I couldn't disagree more with the review. I discovered this band a few months ago, with Sanctus Ignis and Underworld, and loved them (especially Underworld). Then listened to Dominate, and while being good, it wasn't as complete as the previous ones.

And yesterday finally listened Archangels in Black, and I was amazed with it from the very beginning. Something different from what they've done before; as complex and amazing as Underworld, but much heavier and darker. And the new singer is really good too!

To me, this is a close 10, one of the best albums I've listened lately. Maybe just as good as Underworld overall, but definitely different.

[TheLegacyx]

Arcanas wrote:

This is a terrible review, let me explain why.
1. Petrucci-esque - Petrucci is primarily a speed picker, Stephan's style is much more varied and is more similar to the jazz guys and Marty Friedman than Petrucci. Thus the reviewer expresses his ignorance.
2. The vocals aren't operatic, and here is more ignorance - high pitched does NOT mean operatic.
3. 25 guitar solos per song - try three at tops, I don't think this guy was even listening.
4. Vamphyri sounds nothing like Slaughter of the Soul in any way other than a similar genre. Comparing the two is like comparing Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, two vastly different bands in a slightly similar direction.

I distrust this man's taste and experience, he is likely to be a fan of American 'core' genres with this review. It doesn't even sound like he listened to the album other than the solos.

Anyways, I don't understand people calling it a letdown from Dominate, considering how Dominate-still a good album-had much more simple writing and lyrics, and only had two to-standards musical highlights (Dominate and Children of the Dead Lake).

So to sum, this 'review' is what you get when someone with no ear, sensibility, experience in, or taste for music is given an album. Review gets a 0, album gets a 9.

i completely agree. this album is simply amazing. the only reason i wouldnt give it a 10 because it is kinda short (47 minutes)

[Mahoru]

^I think that the fact it isn't particularly long (47 minutes isn't also short, just average) helps. Maybe if it was longer it wouldn't stand out as much; I think it's pretty much perfect except for a detail or two (and the Japanese track, which is pretty average). So yes, not a 10, but very close for me :P

[Peres.T.Peanut]

Very good, solid, well written album. Every progressive fan should check this out. Non prog fans should too. Truly amazing.

[Shreddin 4 Life]

I have to say the review disappoints me
(like it is many Adagio fans on here)

Ive been an Adagio fan from the beginning, and this album turned out to be even more than I expected it to be, which is rare...cuz a lot of bands drop the ball at this point in their careers in my opinion. All-in-all, this is an ace album and by far one of the best I've heard in a long time - what I heard was Adagio at their best. They most certainly are not a run of the mill "power/prog" band to say the least. They desctibe themselves as "Prog Goth Metal" which makes sense to me; they are darker, heavier, and just as technical as ever (and especially when compared to most bands that fall within their range). Forté pulled no punches on this one, and any Adagio fan will not be disappointed.
Do not let this review fool you

[Crazy Booduh]

Finally got my import copy in and I really don't understand this review. This is a really solid album. It's definitely not as good as "Underworld" (their 2nd album) but I like it more than "Dominate" and "Sanctus Ignis." I'm really happy with the new vocalist, he's a natural fit.

[Haunt3dAng3l]

I've only recently been getting into Adagio's music over the past six months or so I like their first and second albums. I agree with those who say Arch Angels in black is not their greatest. This is a terrible review though. As has already been said there are not "25 solos" in the songs. I also don't believe that Forte is at all like Petrucci, they are of two very different playing and composing styles. Petrucci and DT are more Jazz-ish type of Prog. Forte and Adagio are more dark neo-classical prog with extreme elements. Did the reviewer listen to the album at all?

[SniperWolf80mm]

i havent really listened to this band too much but from what i heard it is really awesome and not at all what this review is saying. so i have to disagree with it