It has been 3 years since we last had a history lesson from SERENITY, because that is when the band released “The Last Knight.” In the meantime, vocalist Georg Neuhauser has been busy with his other projects, WARKINGS and FALLEN SANCTUARY, not to mention the release of SERENITY’s live album “Memoria.” Somehow, he managed to record a new album, “Nemesis AD,” with the Austrian power metal band, album which is due for release on November 3rd, 2023, via Napalm Records. So, take your seats, because class is starting and today’s lesson is about the life and times of painter Albrecht Dürer of the German Renaissance.
There is something quite fascinating about the way in which SERENITY craft their music because what they do is not your standard symphonic power metal fare. Sure, they still blend power metal tropes with symphonic metal elements but the end result is somehow more progressive and dramatic than what other bands produce. They really have a knack for these soaring, uplifting melodies that also have plenty of substance to the lyrics so as to be enjoyable to the ear and tickle the intellect. Their most recent albums, “Lionheart” (2017) and “The Last Knight” (2020), are wonderful examples of their bombastic yet grounded style that offer more than power metal cheese and easily forgotten stories, and “Nemesis AD” sees the Austrians continuing to march on this path and evolve their sound.
The new album starts off with “Memoriae Alberti Dureri,” a grand intro where sword-fighting noises overlap with what sounds like a church choir before it gives way to the first proper track, the wonderful duet with ex-KAMELOT/CONCEPTION frontman Roy Khan, “The Fall of Man.” The disconnect that exists between the intro and this single makes me wonder what is the point of said intro and, generally speaking, album intros that don’t connect with the following track. Anyways, once the mighty “The Fall of Man” gets going it easily enchants with its sleek melodies, melodic guitar riffs, wonderful vocal harmonies, and subdued symphonic backdrop that elevates the song’s drama and epic scope. It is one of the most beautiful tracks in this genre that I have heard in recent years.
Up next, “Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)” is a more up-tempo and energetic number with a soaring chorus, orchestral arrangements, and layers of melodies. The album’s ebb-and-flow continues with “Soldiers Under the Cross” a ballad-like anthem that boasts folky melodies and soulful vocals, all capped off by a superb guitar solo. The theatrical album centerpiece “Reflections (of AD)” flows so smoothly from the gentle piano intro through the uplifting chorus sections, symphonic moments, well-crafted build-ups, and vocal deliveries from both Georg Neuhauser and newcomer Marco Pastorino (TEMPERANCE) that its 8 minutes of playtime fly by way too quickly. The album version is, therefore, better and richer than the single edit. Straightforward “Sun of Justice” is pretty much a SERENITY-by-the-numbers –type of track but that doesn’t make it any less engaging given its fast-paced rhythm, meaty guitar riffs, and melodic backbone.
Despite its oriental aura, “Nemesis” is a brooding piece with layers of sleek melodies, driving guitars, ominous vocals, and progressive rhythms topped off by a dark atmosphere that makes it a standout of the album. Foreboding (and personal favorite) “The End of Babylon” is another heavy number with all the trademark SERENITY elements in place from the hooky chorus and hefty guitars to the pacey vocal delivery and operatic backing choirs, complete with dramatic arrangements and even more dramatic lyrics. This album couldn’t be complete without a heartfelt ballad, and “Crowned by an Angel” fulfills this need superbly boasting majestic orchestrations, swelling strings, delicate yet powerful vocals, and another massive chorus. Mid-pace track “The Sky is Our Limit” offers one last dose of dramatics, rich orchestrations, and earworm chorus sections before the orchestral version of “The Fall of Man” brings the album to a close on a wistful note.
Consistency is key when talking about SERENITY and “Nemesis AD” is no exception to the rule. If we take into account the high quality of their music there is nothing wrong with that because this album is as lavish in its sound design as it is bombastic and dynamic in nature. It displays a good balance between the orchestral elements and the metal instruments, not to mention a production that gives everything a cinematic edge. That said, we can easily conclude that “Nemesis AD” is a wonderful, strong, and satisfying showcase of what power metal with symphonic undertones can offer when it is in the hands of such masters of the genre.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1 Memoriae Alberti Dureri
2 The Fall of Man
3 Ritter, Tod und Teufel (Knightfall)
4 Soldiers Under the Cross
5 Reflections (of AD)
6 Sun of Justice
7 Nemesis
8 The End of Babylon
9 Crowned by an Angel
10 The Sky is our Limit
11 The Fall of Man (orchestral version)
Lineup
Georg Neuhauser – Vocals
Christian Hermsdörfer – Guitars & Backing Vocals
Marco Pastorino – Guitars & Backing Vocals
Fabio D’Amore – Bass & Backing Vocals
Andreas Schipflinger – Drums & Backing Vocals
Label
Napalm Records
