Underworld is the second full-length album of Adagio - a Progressive Band with its headquarters in France. The release contains over 63 minutes of complex and extremely energizing music divided into 8 long tracks. The first of them, ”Next Profundis” features a nice piano work as an introduction, followed by a solid part of the purest quality Prog Metal. The great advantage of the composition is the fact that the piano does not fade away after the intro completely but it is still present now and then. The excellent, over 2-minute long, introduction (”Introïtus”) to ”Solvet Saeclum In Favilla” (performed by Choirs from The Vocal Ensemble Of Lyon) gives a listener an idea about the musical creativity of Adagio. The dark, monumental atmosphere of ”Introïtus” reminds me of Carl Orff’s famous cantata – ”Carmina Burana” while the chanted words “Dies Irae” (Latin: “Day of Wrath” - hymn on the Last Judgment) bring Mozart’s Requiem to my mind. ”Introïtus” is great and so is the entire album. The highest quality, clear and strong vocals of David Readman (perfect English of a native speaker) work here very well. The production is faultless. Moreover, the symphonic passages on Underworld are so sharp and convincing that some listeners (and reviewers too) have ascribed them to the Avignon Symphony Orchestra.The richness of the orchestral arrangements present in every single track suggests that the works of Mozart, Penderecki, Prokofiev or Bartok must have provided Adagio with the inspiration.
”Chosen” presenting virtuoso keyboard playing, amazing guitar work and out of this world drumming also proves that Adagio can be compared with the best masters from Prog Metal School only: Dream Theatre, Opeth, Symphony X, Threshold, Vanden Plas. I would not say, however, that the band follows in their footsteps… Adagio’s symphonic imagination combined with complex progressive variations make their sound very original (something between Lacrimosa and Opeth). What these guys have in common with the above mentioned groups is the incredible amount of technical ability.
The fourth composition – ”From My Sleep…. To Someone Else” begins with uneasy piano sounds as if a soundtrack to a horror movie.
Then after guitar riffs the rhythm section and the vocalist go nuts - offering a black/death metal storm for a brief while. Powerful. Luckily enough, this is not extreme, underground, heavy metal but superbly produced Progressive Music.
Containing enough musical themes to build several tracks the title composition- Underworld is the longest on the record (13:25). It begins with a fantastic overture (and another performance of Choirs of The Vocal Ensemble Of Lyon). My ears tell me that it is one of the best epics they have ever met.
”Promises” is a ballad based on aacoustic guitar, piano, dreamy bass and delicate orchestrations in the background.
”The Mirror Stage”- the seventh track showcases great keyboard and guitar work. During this track the vocalist turns into Mr Hyde again growling like hell for few seconds. The only instrumental track on this CD is ”Niflheim”, which gracefully ends the great adventure with Adagio (before your press repeat button).
The lyrical atmosphere of this album is dark and symbolic. Do not forget, however, that the band makes a journey to the no return land - the very particular place beneath the ground …. So… Was there any better way of describing it than ”mirroring the darkness of the heart”* ….?
Besides, it is neither ”Gone with the Wind” nor sweet pop tunes.
In conclusion, complex, unpredictable music full of orchestrated passages and impressive choir parts. Absolutely indispensable Progressive Metal release !
*Adagio- ”The Mirror Stage”
