Royal Hunt
Paradox

THE REVIEW

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.