"Deggial" CD by Therion

by Matthias Mineur (null) While Therion's chief thinker, Christofer Johnsson formerly had to perform a major part of his orchestral compositions with the help of computers, he now exclusively could work with "living" orchestral musicians. What we now hear on "Deggial" sounding like flutes, oboes, violins, or horns is authentic. That provides not only this album with a big portion of authenticity, it also lets the 11 tracks obviously breathe. What seemed a bit one-dimensional in the past has depths, transparency, expression and forcefulness this time. And these attributes are essential for Therion's orchestral mini cosmos. We don't have to argue about Johnsson's qualities as a composer, this man is the source of creativity. His ideas burst with variation, his taste is excellent and exclusive. The question remaining is that for the creative progression of "Theli" and "Vovin" to "Deggial". Johnsson answers them with arguments that are already proven in the opener, "Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx": the new opus rocks without neglecting the classical aspect. That's what masterpieces are made of.