Review by Kostas on June 21, 2023.

After an incredible debut album and some significant line-up changes, it was finally time for Northland to release their second full-lenghth work in early 2015. I had a bad feeling that the absence of two really talented musicians, Daniel Mateu and Yolanda Gago, was just a hint of the disappointment that would follow. Apparently, not only was I right, but also rather sad.

''Downfall and Rebirth'' starts very dynamically with the folk melodies of ''When Nature Awakes'' instantly giving you a taste of what the whole album is going to sound like. The sound is not really bad. The bass lines and several guitar rifts are in fact more than catchy. The problem is that, for the most part, everything sounds much more simple and boring than in the debut. There are some violins, your classic keyboard rhythms and some rather uninspired clean vocals. The tradinional music influences are also much more scarce this time and seem to be a bit disconnected to the rest of the music. The band does not sound like the powerful force they used to be anymore. They most likely sound like a mediocre melodic death metal band with some interesting leans towards world music here and there.

Another major downside of ''Downfall and Rebirth'' is the rather poor mixing and mastering. Every musical instrument sounds too separated and different from the musical compositions as a whole. Just like the folk elements. In addition, vocals are too loud in some parts while in others too low. All this, combined with some unneeded interludes and acoustic breaks like ''The Rite'' don't let you enjoy the album. Which is a pity considering the band's potential and their clever ideas. I don't want to not make a reference to those ideas. One of them is the great piano melody of ''Duskriders'', the absolute highlight of the album. Even more noticeable is the concept of ''Downfall and Rebirth''. The lyrics, although simplified as well, convey some moving messeges about humanity's progress and the respect we must show towards mother nature.

All this is very nice and romantic, but unfortunately does not save the final outcome from sounding conventional. In the end, ''Downfall and Rebirth'' is your basic folk metal album. A good listen for a warm afternoon but in no way the masterpiece some people might expect it to be. Let's just hope Northland will not rest assured they are a good yet rather unknown Spanish band. I expect another awesome release like their first record.

Rating: 5.9 out of 10

Review by JD on May 27, 2011.

Symphonic Metal. Even the name of it seem so large, but at the same time inviting. Bands like this can go one of two ways. One is that it is a sound that cascades around you, while pummling you with its thunderous riffing, the other is that it comes across like a very bad cartoon on really bad drugs. And now for your headbanging enjoyment - Therion.

Formed in 1988 just outside of Stockholm, Sweden this band of amazing musicians at first were a straight ahead Death Metal band in the vein of Celtic Frost, then slowly morphed from there into something different. Now, they are Thrash inspired Symphonic Metal, and one of the leaders in this genre. With inflences like that, plus the drive to make some of the wickedest metal around - it does not take a rocket scientist to see this band is one of the few that can blow your head off.

The are many songs that I could pick out, so I will just say that there really is no weak song on the album. With songs that are as technically sound as they are masterfully and deliciously brutal - Therion is one of the few acts, that no matter what genre of meat you like - you find this album both compelling and impressive. With very biting lyrics and some truly nasty riffs that seem to stick in your head for hours, they seem to be a band that will be around for a long time still.

Later release saw the band go through more changes, yet still keep themselves true to what they were doing. This was Therion’s finest release. Others might disagree... but that is my opinion. Excuse me while I pop the top on another cold one and listen to this album again.... I just have to.

Metal... still fucking rules. Yeah... it still does.(Puts up the horns)!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by JD on May 27, 2011.

Symphonic Metal. Even the name of it seem so large, but at the same time inviting. Bands like this can go one of two ways. One is that it is a sound that cascades around you, while pummling you with its thunderous riffing, the other is that it comes across like a very bad cartoon on really bad drugs. And now for your headbanging enjoyment - Therion.

Formed in 1988 just outside of Stockholm, Sweden this band of amazing musicians at first were a straight ahead Death Metal band in the vein of Celtic Frost, then slowly morphed from there into something different. Now, they are Thrash inspired Symphonic Metal, and one of the leaders in this genre. With inflences like that, plus the drive to make some of the wickedest metal around - it does not take a rocket scientist to see this band is one of the few that can blow your head off.

The are many songs that I could pick out, so I will just say that there really is no weak song on the album. With songs that are as technically sound as they are masterfully and deliciously brutal - Therion is one of the few acts, that no matter what genre of meat you like - you find this album both compelling and impressive. With very biting lyrics and some truly nasty riffs that seem to stick in your head for hours, they seem to be a band that will be around for a long time still.

Later release saw the band go through more changes, yet still keep themselves true to what they were doing. This was Therion’s finest release. Others might disagree... but that is my opinion. Excuse me while I pop the top on another cold one and listen to this album again.... I just have to.

Metal... still fucking rules. Yeah... it still does.(Puts up the horns)!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by JD on May 27, 2011.

Symphonic Metal. Even the name of it seem so large, but at the same time inviting. Bands like this can go one of two ways. One is that it is a sound that cascades around you, while pummling you with its thunderous riffing, the other is that it comes across like a very bad cartoon on really bad drugs. And now for your headbanging enjoyment - Therion.

Formed in 1988 just outside of Stockholm, Sweden this band of amazing musicians at first were a straight ahead Death Metal band in the vein of Celtic Frost, then slowly morphed from there into something different. Now, they are Thrash inspired Symphonic Metal, and one of the leaders in this genre. With inflences like that, plus the drive to make some of the wickedest metal around - it does not take a rocket scientist to see this band is one of the few that can blow your head off.

The are many songs that I could pick out, so I will just say that there really is no weak song on the album. With songs that are as technically sound as they are masterfully and deliciously brutal - Therion is one of the few acts, that no matter what genre of meat you like - you find this album both compelling and impressive. With very biting lyrics and some truly nasty riffs that seem to stick in your head for hours, they seem to be a band that will be around for a long time still.

Later release saw the band go through more changes, yet still keep themselves true to what they were doing. This was Therion’s finest release. Others might disagree... but that is my opinion. Excuse me while I pop the top on another cold one and listen to this album again.... I just have to.

Metal... still fucking rules. Yeah... it still does.(Puts up the horns)!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by JD on May 27, 2011.

Symphonic Metal. Even the name of it seem so large, but at the same time inviting. Bands like this can go one of two ways. One is that it is a sound that cascades around you, while pummling you with its thunderous riffing, the other is that it comes across like a very bad cartoon on really bad drugs. And now for your headbanging enjoyment - Therion.

Formed in 1988 just outside of Stockholm, Sweden this band of amazing musicians at first were a straight ahead Death Metal band in the vein of Celtic Frost, then slowly morphed from there into something different. Now, they are Thrash inspired Symphonic Metal, and one of the leaders in this genre. With inflences like that, plus the drive to make some of the wickedest metal around - it does not take a rocket scientist to see this band is one of the few that can blow your head off.

The are many songs that I could pick out, so I will just say that there really is no weak song on the album. With songs that are as technically sound as they are masterfully and deliciously brutal - Therion is one of the few acts, that no matter what genre of meat you like - you find this album both compelling and impressive. With very biting lyrics and some truly nasty riffs that seem to stick in your head for hours, they seem to be a band that will be around for a long time still.

Later release saw the band go through more changes, yet still keep themselves true to what they were doing. This was Therion’s finest release. Others might disagree... but that is my opinion. Excuse me while I pop the top on another cold one and listen to this album again.... I just have to.

Metal... still fucking rules. Yeah... it still does.(Puts up the horns)!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality:8.5
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.7 out of 10