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Rating: After two excellent albums such as "Prison Of Desire" (2000) and "Decipher", which established the band as one of the best and most inspired of the genre, Mark Jansen, growler, guitarist, and the main mind of the band, leaves the Dutch group due to differences with the other members. Indeed, he is closer to neoclassical music, while the rest of the band is more inclined towards the heavy side. Mark will later find the realization of his desires in Epica. But now, with the conflicting element removed, how will the band evolve?
In 2003, the combo released a mini CD to quell the fans' appetite before the release of the album "Invisible Circles."
"Exordium," a significant title that aims to represent the new course of the band, a true rebirth.
Firstly, everything is reinterpreted in a more refined and polished perspective compared to the past, decidedly more progressive, but despite this the tracks are not heavy to listen to; on the contrary, they present themselves as the most catchy and expansive pieces ever written (up to that point) by the young band. The guitar riffs have become more robust and decisive, and Floor Jansen's voice has certainly become more versatile compared to the first albums: indeed, I had never heard her sing in such a carefree and playful manner.
The CD opens with the introductory "Line Of Thoughts", a two-minute instrumental piece dominated by orchestrations, now their true trademark, and heavy guitars. A piece with a definite atmosphere suitable for warming up the listener. Things get serious with "Beneath" which presents a truly softer and lighter atmosphere compared to the band's standards. The piece is played on the duet between Floor's voice, here truly pop (not a defect, on the contrary) and the instrumental part. A sweet and nostalgic guitar arpeggio paves the way for "My Choice", from which a single is extracted and a video is also filmed. It is a piece with a melancholic aftertaste, with its oriental arabesques and its decadent choirs. But it is a melancholy that never spills over into something sadder, also leaving glimpses of hope. "Glorifying Means" is the most beautiful track of the Mini CD, presenting an impressive drama. The first part seems like a classic piece of the band, even featuring the appearance of Sander's growl. The second part, however, becomes more experimental, also thanks to perfectly fitting piano inserts. I hope "The Evil That Men Do" needs no introduction. The song is excellently reinterpreted, with the main theme here taken up by the strings. The mini CD closes with another cover, which does not belong to the metal world, namely "One Day I'll Fly Away" by Andy Crawfort, a very sunny track that at times is galloping, at times dreamy and subdued.
Note that the limited edition of "Exordium" includes a Bonus DVD containing many treats for fans, such as the video of "My Choice".
Overall, it is a highly recommended CD for fans of the Dutch band, while for those unfamiliar with the band, my advice is to direct towards the actual albums of the band: You will not be disappointed.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Beneath (04:54)
Bewildered by silence
Stuck by its questions and lucid ways to make us aware
I did not know how cruel that could be
That so many cases will never be solved
That so many stories will never be told
I did not know how cruel that could be
Fighting a war that rages inside
The world can't see the hate that burns in there
How can we face what lies beneath,
If we just fear and don't fight back?
How many questions left unanswered?
How many tears and inner strength shall we need?
How any times can we encounter this again and again?
How many things exist that blind us?
How many forms of brutal violence can we see?
How many images of pain will make us numb
So hard, so cruel, we fail to see, we fail to feel?
So afraid, even without thecourage of despair?
Fighting a war that rages inside
The world can't see the hate that burns in there
How can we face what lies beneath,
If we just fear and don't fight back?
Afraid of ourselves, arfaid to stand up
I did not know how cruel that could be
We failed to see, we failed to feel
Still afraid, what if you love someone?
What if this happened to your loved ones?
What would you do if you were there at that time?
What makes you act like nothing happened?
Nothing's wrong, you're doing fine?
What makes you think you are immune to this?
What drove us so far to the edge of tolerance?
If judging and accusing is so easy, then why
Why still?
Fighting a war that rages inside
The world can't see the hate that burns in there
How can we face what lies beneath,
If we just fear and don't fight back?
04 Glorifying Means (05:01)
Grunts
Fantasies, misery came together
in the world of guilt and pain
A neverending game
Do not reject me, I was better of without
But in my agonized existence I needed to be free
Grunts
Free my mind, free my soul
I do not need to feel no more
Feel no more, I'm better off this way
Alone, far from the past and its brutal face
I still feel the disgust and pain
Let me be free
Chorus
This is my life today, this is the way it went out of control
I cannot do without these glorifying means, my remedy
These amazing illusions, fantasies
Grunts
Fantasy, not for me, like another mirror of reality
Another point of view
Don't disbelieve me, I really tried to do without
But with sadness as a companion it's hard to do
Without the seduction, to become someone I'm not
But in this beautiful deception I'll overcome the night
Another day, another week, I'll overcome time
Choir
Colors seem to flow, they seem to come alive
While the sound of life is stronger than before
It's more than a dream, this is so real
I swim and fly, I never feel more than I need, than I fear
I roam, I cry, I am paralyzed
I can fight the world!
The sense of time is important now
Just like the past, just like right now
There's no illusion that this is for real!
Grunts
Observe me, control me
Tell me what is best, what's good
Tell me how it worked for you
Tell me how to find myself, find resepct, find the strength
Facing life so pure and clean, mean and hard
All these words, can't cure nor heal
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