Review by JD on May 27, 2011.

Symphonic Metal. Even the name of it seem so large, but at the same time inviting. Bands like this can go one of two ways. One is that it is a sound that cascades around you, while pummling you with its thunderous riffing, the other is that it comes across like a very bad cartoon on really bad drugs. And now for your headbanging enjoyment - Therion.

Formed in 1988 just outside of Stockholm, Sweden this band of amazing musicians at first were a straight ahead Death Metal band in the vein of Celtic Frost, then slowly morphed from there into something different. Now, they are Thrash inspired Symphonic Metal, and one of the leaders in this genre. With inflences like that, plus the drive to make some of the wickedest metal around - it does not take a rocket scientist to see this band is one of the few that can blow your head off.

The are many songs that I could pick out, so I will just say that there really is no weak song on the album. With songs that are as technically sound as they are masterfully and deliciously brutal - Therion is one of the few acts, that no matter what genre of meat you like - you find this album both compelling and impressive. With very biting lyrics and some truly nasty riffs that seem to stick in your head for hours, they seem to be a band that will be around for a long time still.

Later release saw the band go through more changes, yet still keep themselves true to what they were doing. This was Therion’s finest release. Others might disagree... but that is my opinion. Excuse me while I pop the top on another cold one and listen to this album again.... I just have to.

Metal... still fucking rules. Yeah... it still does.(Puts up the horns)!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Adam M on January 2, 2020.

Master of Puppets is the album where everything came together for Metallica. Balancing out storming compositions like Battery with more brooding and epic ones like Leper Messiah, the band was able to produce their most well-rounded album to date. It also has the mandatory instrumental in Orion, which is far and away one of the most interesting songs the band has ever come up with.

There is a nice mixture between power and finesse on this album and it never lets the pedal off of the metal. The songs can be epic at times, but at others just content to thrash away in a more simplistic style. For a thrash album, this is a really intelligently put together collection of songs that rarely drags. Sure, the band had come up with a hit in Ride the Lightning, but the atmosphere and quality of the songs has been increased immeasurably. The riffing can be melodic or pummeling depending on the portion of the song and the guitar solos are a wonder to behold. After this the band would go on to release one more excellent album, ...And Justice for All, before falling downhill. They would never repeat the quality of this album, however, and it remains a stalwart in the thrash metal genre along with albums like Reign in Blood and Rust in Peace. It is simply loaded with quality from beginning to end and features enough changes and interesting elements to keep you coming back time and time again.

This is absolutely one of the mandatory classic metal purchases and should be owned by any fans of older heavy metal. It still has its impact today with the power that the band brought to the table here. Thrash fans should consider themselves lucky to have such a well-crafted album to be able to appreciate.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10