Review by JD on December 19, 2010.

The mark of a good band is that you want to hear everything in the catalogue that particular group has put out after hearing only one of their CD’s. It happens more than you might think, especially in the reviewing business. German thrashers Fall Of Serenity is that band for me at the moment.

I had heard Fall Of Serenity’s 2007 release called "The Crossfire", and found myself impressed as hell. I have now received their previous release called "Royal Killing" to review awhile back which happens(getting things in reverse is par for the course) and I was zealously wanting to hear the album that had led up to one of the albums that I had fell in love with.

The album is not as Death Metal styled as "The Crossfire" was, they were going for more Thrashy with Death Metal leanings, but the music held a great amounts of heaviness that powered the metallic machine. Tracks like ‘Demon (Mon)archy’ and the slowed down chainsaw of ‘Falling Apart’ hold melody in its barbed wire fist as it beats you senseless with its massive crush of guitar and anger charged vocals. These are only two examples of an CD that holds some slabs of great metal on it’s shininess.

You cannot find better metal or a better metal band than Fall Of Serenity. You have some of the most brilliantly executed metallic mayhem that ever had been recorded. They are the finest examples of extreme metal that is out there and the fact that they also have some of the best hooks you will ever encounter, makes them a band that can transcend genres.

Sadly I finish on this bad note, Fall Of Serenity have called it quits in February of 2009 - a woeful day for metal, indeed.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8.5
Originality: 8
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Denis on May 13, 2003.

The mastermind behind this very special opus is Johann Bran Cleerman. All words and music were written by him and he also arranged, performed everything that can be heard and enjoyed. Johann has realized what every musician / composer dream to do at least once in their life: a solo project that he or she can master with no restraint or set boundaries. A true creation in its purest sense.

Opening track 'Materia Prima' is an instrumental piece made of highly sophisticated symphonic landscapes in which the piano leads the way throughout scenery of neo-classical arrangements beating to the pulse of occasional traditional percussions. The mood is grandiose and epic. 'Visita Interiora Terrae' has a calm and dark introduction dressed with piano notes and keyboards sounds, becoming heavier and more mysterious when the drums and Johann' strange vocals join in. His voice is clean, somewhat theatrical and tortured. The last measures are calmer and a spooky passages, with spacey keys closing this composition. The third opus, 'Rectificadoque Invenies Occultum Lapidem' can be considered as 'la piece de resistance' with its 18:22 running time and is a true majestic symphonic epic with all the fancy elements involved: piano, bells, beautiful melodic lines, dark low tone spoken words, tortured screams, dramatic passages conveyed by chords, ensemble sounds becoming more intense and tragic as it progresses towards the end with the percussions rolling, the tortured vocals doing a duo with some demoniac low tonalities then some more screams, dramatic chords, becoming calm almost serene as if delivered from pain and suffering. Finally, 'Veram Medicinam' begins dark with spoken words on a dramatic symphonic decor echoed by bells, then a chord ensemble joins in the tragedy with loud percussions before a mysterious mood with demoniac spoken words takes place. The following moments will bring in some more piano and chords parts, disturbed and theatrical vocals, somber and beautiful symphonic arrangements and some grave and devilish voice near the end.

Bottom Line: Impressive neo-classical somber compositions.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.6 out of 10