Review of "Underworld" by Adagio
And here I am 2 years later, with my jaw scraping the floor, for every note that comes flowing throug my speakers is so damn brilliant I'm left speechless. Singer David Readman (of Pink Cream 69) is doing an ever so fine job, but what really shines on this one is the solid songwriting and playing technique of Stephan, and the new keyboardist, Kevin Codfert, gives the record a solid boost. The overall sound is a lot darker this time, and it suits the band very well. I also notice the solid increase of progressivity presented. The rythms are intricate, hooks and licks are tripled and the keyboards sometimes even develop into jazzy themes. It was a long wait for me (had to order it from overseas), but since last friday (that makes 5 days) I've been listening to this one non-stop. As I pass 15 spins, I only find one weak spot in the 8 tracks (a total of 65 minutes). The semi-ballad is a bit too sloppy in its form. The melody is nice, but the lyrics aren't very well thought through. They're atleast very honest and personal, that he deserves credit for, but perhaps a bit too blunt. That said, there really isn't a single reason why you shouldn't get this one if you're a fan of progressive metal. Do your duty as a follower and get this gem. Apart from Kamelot's Epica, this may very well end up being the album of the year for me.
Rating: 97/100
Written by Ole Kristian Mastadøy
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