Dionysus's Reviews

Anima Mundi

(Average Rating: 7.34 out of 10)

A big improvement over Signs of Truth

(Rated this album with 8 out of 10)
Reviewed by oldancestor from The Swamp

I respectfully disagree with the reviewer who feels the debut album was superior to this one. Everything from the songwriting to the playing to the production is exceptional on this new one. "Signs of Truth" suffered from wimpy and lifeless production, especially on the bass drums. "Anima Mundi" on the other hand is sparkling and punchy. I definitely can't see how it can be perceived as less heavy than the first album. Almost every song on here is filled with thunderous double bass and blazing guitars. The musicianship on Paradise Land and What(surely nothing close to a ballad) is particularly impressive.

For those who haven't heard them before: They are definitely in the same school as Edguy and Nocturnal Rites; that is, the focus is on the melody and rich arrangements. They are not really hard-edged in the vein of Primal Fear, nor are they symphonic, despite several write-ups describing them as such. The vocals of Olaf Hayer are a real plus because he has power and range but doesn't overdo the high-pitched wailing.

Buy this album on Amazon at $15.99