With defiant determination rarely found in a metal band, THERION have always and exclusively done what they deemed right. Never did they stick to a successful formula, never did they release the same album twice, never did they give in to fickle friends like expectation, commercial aspects or trends. Which makes it all the more astounding that now, 35 years deep into their storied career, they actually do something every fan had hoped but never actually thought possible. Enter “Leviathan”, enter a trilogy focusing on all the trademark elements THERION are beloved by countless of metal fans around the globe. After the first part set hearts aflame in 2021, evoking goosebumps galore and reminiscing the glory days of the nineties, the symphonic metal grand-seigneurs continue their surprisingly fan-friendly path with their epic odyssey “Leviathan II”.
After breaking into the nineties with their Celtic Frost tinged, gothic interlaced death metal manifestos “Of Darkness …” and “Beyond Sanctorum” THERION spearheaded the symphonic metal uprise with their game-changing masterpiece “Theli” in 1996, followed by “Vovin” in 1998, their most successful album to date.
The “Leviathan” trilogy is THERION’s way of honouring their storied career, carving out all the elements that made them become the revered symphonic metal titans they are. While the first part of the trilogy was honouring the classical THERION anthems, “Leviathan II” rekindles the mystic, melancholic aura of their groundbreaking work “Vovin” while part three will focus on the “braver orchestral songs” in September 2023, as Christofer Johnsson puts it. The mighty lead single off “Leviathan II”, “Litany Of The Fallen”, works as a bridge between all three parts, uniting said trademarks in one song. And of course that’s only the beginning: Just take “Pazuzu”, a song so grand they recorded it in two versions – a classic THERION style anthem and a lofty AOR version. And it works! Outstanding moments can also be found in the mystic beauty that is “Alchemy of the Soul” or the symphonic grandeur of “Marijin Min Nar”.
Recorded remotely in the shadow of the pandemic, “Leviathan II” yet is a classical group effort, sworn in by chief strategist Christofer Johnsson. With vocalists Thomas Vikström and Lori Lewis, guitarist Christian Vidal, bass player Nalle Påhlsson, drummer Björn Höglund and a whole choir of guest singers, THERION bridges past, present and future with a glorious, unapologetically catchy record. Pinch yourself. It’s not a dream.
