Already 8 albums for the 'Georg Neuhauser' band which, after 'The Last Knight' released in 2020 which was followed by the very good live 'Memoria Live' in 2022 with distinguished guests from the great family of symphonic metal, a new album 'Nemesis AD' is released. And for this last baby of 'Serenity', the guitarist 'Marco Pastorino' of 'Temperance' who also shares with 'Georg Neuhauser' the project 'Fallen Sanctuary', has been included in the line up. We are now used to it with themes drawn from characters or historical facts, 'Georg Neuhauser' has decided this time to focus on the life of the painter 'Albrecht Dürer' of the German renaissance. So, is 'Nemesis AD' in line with the very good 'The Last Knight', 'Lionheart' and 'Codex Atlanticus'?
No need to make you languish, we find all these ingredients which make the strength of 'Serenity' in this new album, and perhaps even more because, for my part, I have not found any compositions that stand out from relation to others. To be convinced of this, you just have to listen to the first four titles: after the short introduction in syphonic metal which, this time, is a magnificent female choir which whets our appetite for the rest, 'The Fall Of Man' bursts in with a first composition with an addictive melody, 'Georg Neuhauser' and 'Roy Khan', invited for the occasion, adding that little extra to the song which makes it a hit which is engraved directly in the head and which ends in serenity with a sublime part bringing down all the energy deployed. Follows 'Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)' which was the subject of a single (see the video above) and which adds a composition with a new catchy chorus, then, 'Soldiers Under the Cross' comes to slow down the ardors with a very beautiful power ballad like 'Serenity' used to offer us and which is to be added to the best ballads of the style (I will always remember 'Fairytales' with 'Clémentine Delaunay' when she was part of the training). 'Reflections (AD)' (see the video here which is the short version) continues with a calm introduction in the continuity of the previous title and develops 8 admirable minutes with all the ingredients of an epic and melodic symphonic metal, the vocal arrangements being absolutely beautiful. With this first part of a high-flying album, we say to ourselves that if the sequel continues in this melodic quality, we will certainly have one of the albums of the year in this style and 'Sun of Justice' confirms this impression with a direct and effective 'made in Serenity' composition integrating beautiful sung parts with oriental inflections and which highlights a very beautiful guitar solo. 'Nemesis', which follows, is not to be outdone by adding a super catchy new track which could very well take its place in a set list with its refrain to be repeated in chorus, then, 'The End of Babylon' (see the video here), with its grandiose choirs and its marked mid tempo, takes us into the splendor of an ancient civilization, the guitar solo being another great moment of this title. Once again, the lights dim for the second ballad 'Crowned By an Angel' which adds a melodic jewel that 'Georg Neuhauser' knows how to magnify so well thanks to this expressive and moving song, then, the album ends with the slow tempo of 'The Sky is our Limit' adding a chorus which remains engraved in the memory for a long time. Also note the magnificent cover in orchestral version of 'The Fall of Man' which shows a very different side of the electric version and which fits perfectly into this symphonic metal album with sumptuous orchestral and vocal arrangements (does 'Georg Neuhauser' have an idea in his head to release this album orchestral?).
In summary, the Austrians of 'Serenity' to which we can now add the Italian 'Marco Pastorini' continue their journey and confirm with this news that they are part of the tenors of the genre and 'Nemesis AD' is to be recommended to all fans of epic symphonic metal in the style of 'Temperance', 'Visions Of Atlantis', 'Kamelot', 'Leave's Eyes' or even their compatriots from 'Edenbridge'... | |
