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Rating: Splendid. One of those works that stay with you and hit you straight in the heart.
"Paradox" by the legendary Royal Hunt in summary is this, an emotional, direct, and varied album. Of all the adjectives and celebrations that can be made, the one that represents it best is ‘varied‘. That's because alongside the band's typical prog-metal sound is combined classical music and a unique mystical atmosphere, which is not often heard in other prog-metal albums.
It's 1997, and after the beautiful ‘'Moving Target ‘', Royal Hunt returned to the studio to record a complex, challenging work. The album's lyrics were written entirely by André Andersen, one of the best keyboardists in the world prog-metal scene. The group's singer is the very famous D.C. Cooper, endowed with a truly unique voice. On bass is Steen Mogensen, Jacob Kjaer on guitar, and Allan Sorensen on drums.
Within the album, one can notice how the band decided to enrich the variety of instruments, as there is a massive use of strings and choirs in every track. The songs are very unique, very well arranged. In almost all of them, there are guitar and keyboard phrases that accompany the powerful voice of D.C. Cooper. The choirs performed by the other members of the band are also really beautiful, always in harmony with the main voice. Listening to the album, you immediately get the impression that you are facing a work different from the others. In this album, everything is in its place; the arrangement could not be better. The sound quality is excellent, and everything sounds wonderful. It's especially noticeable that here technique is put in the background, even though it's a prog-metal album. Ample space is given to emotion, feeling, sweetness. And the result is something spectacular. It is noteworthy how in every piece, the keyboards of André Andersen are present, the driving force of the group, who also writes the lyrics of the songs. The lyrics are very complex and speak of various aspects of life, with deep and sentimental words.
‘'The Awakening‘' opens the album, and more than a song, it is an intro to the next track, with D.C. Cooper speaking and not singing. ‘'River Of Pain‘' envelops the listener and fully engages them. A very beautiful piece, especially that rich sound filled with instruments and particularities that can only be noticed by listening to the piece attentively. The masterpiece of the album is ‘'Message To God‘', which after starting with the piano, noticeably changes rhythm and transforms into a typical Royal Hunt song. The track is characterized by a fantastic refrain, with the band members creating beautiful choirs. The guitar solo is also really beautiful. ‘'Long Way Home ‘' is a heart-rending ballad. A very melodic track, one of the best in the group's entire career. ‘' Silent Scream ‘' is special, especially for the crescendoing instruments that make it unique. ‘' It's Over ‘' is the conclusion of the album; the song reprises the intro of the first track. The album ends as it began.
We are truly in front of an immense, splendid work. A group with a truly unique sound, composed of musicians of exquisite class. A masterpiece of modern music. There are indeed many bands in the global prog-metal scene, but it must be said that there are equally few that have managed to leave a significant mark on this genre with their albums. Among these are definitely Royal Hunt.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 River of Pain (07:14)
I don't believe in tomorrows - you'll never change my point of view,
My fears and sorrows runnin' down my spine, I tell you.
I watch my people dyin', I watch them go - I don't know where...
The skies are crying, washing out their blood into the
The rivers runs away,
Turns red and looks like vein.
The rivers shows the way,
Away from bloody rain.
The Gods of war are callin', I hear their voices in the wind.
The sun is falling - another day is gone, another sin.
I see the star of sadness is touchin' bodies on the ground.
Somebody's madness just took my life and turned it upside down.
The river of pain - we're all betrayed and sold,
The river of pain - my land is dead and cold.
The river of pain - when I close my eyes,
The river of pain - spirit never dies...
My time has come I'm leaving, my mind is tearin' me apart.
I wanna die believing in common sense and wisdom of my heart...
04 Message to God (06:41)
The one who's watchin' over my shoulder - get a life! I see your arms are nailed to the cross, but your eyes are so alive. I never thought you're lying but now it's turned around, So many hearts are dying - you let them down, Over and over again... Can't reach you, can't meet you, I give you everything I've got. You hear me, don't leave me, It's my message to you, God. Can't see you, can't feel you, I've lost just everything I've got, Forget me, you've left me, It's my message to you, God... We're busy burnin' witches the way we learned from you. We're good at killing creatures, so teach us something new, come on! One of your own creations is kind of hard to understand, You, freak of nature - just tell me why did you create us man? Traces on the floor, I can't hear the door closing me. Right inside my dream, it's a sign from him - let me be. Sunrise through the dust - future is the past chasin' me. Shadows on the wall, voices down the halls calling me, Over and over again...
07 Silent Scream (06:13)
White dress, torture in disguise, pointin' flashlight right into my eyes.
Sharp pain every single night - every day I fight a hopeless fight...
Look, over thirty years I've wished that I was dead,
Somebody, help me out, 'cos I'm tied down to my bed...
I'm lookin' for someone to release me,
I'm waitin' for an angel from my dream,
I'm talkin' to all of you around me,
I'm asking you - tell me can you hear my silent scream?
Dear God gave me such a life full of pain, it's sharp just like a knife,
I can think, but I can not tell, what's life to you to me is hell.
I hear the storm outside - first crop just hit the roof,
I'd die to see the rain, but I can't ... move
... If living is my cross, so let me die or crucify me now,
But tell me, can you hear my silent scream?
Time stays still - only I can feel when the darkness will appear,
Every day I wished away my fear...
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By fjelltronen
"Paradox is magic in a torrential rain of uncontrollable emotions."
A concept album with pessimistic and melancholic lyricism, Paradox will surprise you, leaving you stunned by the quintet’s ability to reach straight to the heart.
