特に個人的に外せないのはキャッチーかつクラシカルなイントロで即悶絶のタイトル・トラック＃３“Anima Mundi”と美麗な旋律が際立つバラード＃９“Forever More”。それ以外にも、クサメタル好きの心をワシ掴みにするであろう＃１“Divine”、＃４“My Heart Is Crying”、＃６“Eyes Of The World”、＃８“Closer To The Sun”などの佳曲が並ぶ。
People often see/hear things very differently. For example, it seems although most reviewers tend to like Dionysus, there are some who do not - the same diversity of opinion applies to just about everything. I personally cannot see any justification for the critical reviews - in my opinion their three albums are all of a very high standard, and superior to many other bands. This album is possibly their best, and is in my personal opinion one of the greatest albums in the genre - and I do not say that lightly. For another reviewer to say that this album was a waste of money and merely a "power metal clone" is difficult to understand. No other power metal band sound like Dionysus, except Stratovarius (on songs like "Eagleheart" and "Hunting High and Low", for example) - however, Dionysus are far more consistent and lack the duller moments of the former band, and are therefore superior - at least in my judgement.
There are nine songs on this album, and two bonus tracks - all of which are excellent, in my opinion. There is only one ballad - a power ballad, "Forever More" - which is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs of its type, being almost musical-sounding in style. The CD cover claims "March For Freedom" to have been a "club hit" - I don't quite understand this, perhaps it is a humourous statement, but I can assure everyone that it is not some dance atrocity or commercialised song! My favourite songs, however, are "Divine" - which is extremely positive and happy in mood, and very neo-classical and "neo-prog" at moments; and another favourite is "Anima Mundi", which is another extremely uplifting and inspiring classic. The aforementioned "Forever More" is another classic.
Ultimately, I believe the main reason I prefer Dionysus to many bands, besides the obvious quality of the songs, is the emotion that they clearly display in them. Not merely in subtle ways, such as the way the songs are performed, but in the meaning of the songs themselves. So many bands lack any real emotion in their songs, but Dionysus manage to inspire and move with their lyrics. The related artist, Saint Deamon, of which some of the song writers/members are the same, is another good band, but unfortunately it lacks the inspiring and emotional feel of Dionysus, and is therefore inferior. Of course, if one prefers somewhat darker music, one may prefer the former. To me, however, it was a definite retrograde step and I can only hope that something with songs more akin to Dionysus once again re-emerges. I definitely recommended this album.
Als großer Melodic-Power-Metal Fan habe ich mir nach den überwiegend guten Kritiken in einschlägigen Magazinen ANIMA MUNDI zugelegt. Und auch nach mehrmaligem Hören weiß ich nicht so recht ob sich der Kauf jetzt gelohnt hat, oder nicht. Klar ist, fast jeder Song klingt nett, mit schönen Melodien, satten Refrains und auch (meistens) mit dem nötigen Tempo.Dazu kommt eine gute Produktion und mit Olaf Hayer sicher einer der besten Sänger des Genres! Aber, keiner der Songs reißt mich andererseits vom Hocker (wenn schon würde ich den Stampfer MARCH OF FREEDOM herausheben), alles plätschert irgendwie am Ohr vorbei. Das man das alles schön vorher tausendmal bei anderen Bands gehört hat, finde ich ja gar nicht so schlimm, aber es fehlt halt die zündende Idee, oder so ein richtiger Krachersong. Das haben zum Beispiel die Franzosen HEAVENLY mit DUST TO DUST wesentlich besser hinbekommen. Alles in allem, würde ich sagen Fans des Genres wird es gefallen aber mehr auch nicht.
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