Drawing inspiration from the life and work of German Renaissance painter Albrecht Dürer, Austrian symphonic metal virtuosos Serenity return with eighth full-length studio release, Nemesis AD (Napalm Records).
Formed in 2001, the band are no strangers to concept albums, their previous three records inspired by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Richard the Lionheart, and Roman emperor Maximilian I. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their focus this time should be a 15th century-born German connected to da Vinci and patronized by Maximilian I in 1512.
After the angelic choir of intro “Memoriae Alberti Dureri” fades into background dissonance, soaring anthem “The Fall of Man” opens proceedings properly, bearing more than a passing resemblance to fellow symphonic power metallers Kamelot.
And with a guest appearance from none other than Roy Khan this often mentioned similarity will surprise no one. Named after one of Dürer’s most famous paintings, the bombastic “Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)” translates to “Knight, Death and the Devil” and opens with a church organ before exploding into an insistent, driving riff reinforced by subtle orchestration and fierce chugs.
“Soldiers Under the Cross” slows things down for a while, beginning as a gentle medieval-style ballad, but becoming more powerful as it progresses, with vocalist Georg Neuhauser delivering a beautifully measured performance which spills over into “Reflections (of AD),” a simply massive eight-minute colossus which sounds like a Broadway musical number composed by Jim Steinman and features Neuhauser in full unrestrained flight.
Supported by choral backing, a powerful orchestral arrangement and fantastic fretwork courtesy of axe partnership Christian Hermsdörfer and newbie Marco Pastorino, the song almost becomes a symphonic version of Survivor‘s “Eye of the Tiger” at one point, the rhythm section of bassist Fabio D’Amore and drummer Andreas Schipflinger being put through their paces like never before.
Another song with a hint of Kamelot, the surging “Sun of Justice” boasts a hefty middle section, even more top-drawer soloing and a strong Middle Eastern vibe which continues into the similarly dramatic “Nemesis.”
Slow and purposeful with backing choral vocals reminiscent of early Within Temptation, the darkly brooding “The End of Babylon” offers up yet another monstrous chorus before quietly uplifting ballad “Crowned By An Angel” leads into sensational finale “The Sky Is Our Limit” and an orchestral version of opener “The Fall of Man.”
Exultant but melancholic, sorrowful yet triumphant, Nemesis AD stands proudly among Serenity’s finest work. Orchestral arrangements ebb and flow with drama and restraint, the band’s choice to revert (once again) to a five piece validated completely by the strength of each member’s individual performances, the record itself becoming even more than the sum of its already not altogether inconsiderable parts.
Buy the album here:
https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/serenity
9 / 10
GARY ALCOCK