Review by Maciek on December 18, 2012.

Quite good position in the genre of Symphonic Black Metal recently appeared from Belgium this year. I would compare it to early Dimmu Borgir albums, I've read some comparisons to Keep of Kalessin, I would add some early Emperor's efforts and some Cradle Of Filth's too.

The album is the second full length in bands catalogue and as for second album I was anticipating it nearly as much as Dimmu Borgir's "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" and the band's composing and workshop abilities are somewhere between this album and "Spiritual Black Dimensions" with some moments resembling Carpe Tenebrum's "Mirrored Hate Painting" and even few chords and tempos reminding Behemoth's slower tracks ('Fhtagn') with an atmosphere from Moonspell.

The drummer does a great job, putting blast-beats where they belong and when needed it is powerful but slow. My favourite track is probably 'Upon The Idol Of Crona' - proper Black Metal entrance with symphonic passages reminding sometimes early Therion (possibly because most of them are played on keyboards) and Portuguese Moonspell mentioned before. And along with fast-paced drums you can hear some really nice solos and melodic vocals. Really good epic track. Another good track is 'Sati' where you can hear more live instruments (trombone, euphonium, cornet, cello and violin, appearing in other tracks as well), starting in My Dying Bride-ish style but as the track goes on more and more interesting elements are being added (sitar for example) and obvioulsy there is some fair amount of Black Metal blast-beats. Quite interesting album, with big part of lyrics including elements of Cthulhu Mythos with lyrics written in English, German and Belgian. And signature cover made by Michał Karcz.

Basically the whole package has made very good impression on me and ever since I've heard the track promoting the album (Haunter Of The Dark') I knew it would be one of the strongest positions in Symphonic Black Metal in 2012. And I'm not disappointed.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Jack on October 17, 2001.

This is my first real introduction to the world of Tristania, and it comes through in their latest album “World of Glass”. Tristania for those of you who do not know is a seven member gothic metal band from the icy reaches of Norway.

If gothic metal is a mongrel breed of death vocals, black keyboard sections, power metal crunchy guitars and female vocals not unlike Tarja from Nightwish or Ihriel from Peccatum, then Tristania fit this ‘gothic metal’ bill to a tee.

“World of Glass” is their latest album and a superb effort. “Beyond the Veil”, was heralded as one of the greatest gothic metal albums of all time, whilst I would not call this the greatest gothic metal album of all time, “World of Glass” is one of the finer albums I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing this year.

I think what makes this Tristania album so special to me is the seamless transition from harsh, melodic death metal (ala Soilwork) to beautiful folk driven acoustic/string passages with gorgeous female operatic vocals (not unlike some sections in the “Last of the Mohicans” soundtrack). However, while the female vocals are special, Tristania would truly be a one-dimensional band if they did not have some grunty bloke vocals. The clean vocals are not unlike early Garm, except more polished and the death vocals are reminiscent of Jonas Renske (Katatonia) when he used to take the harsh style.

There is not a stinker amongst these ten tracks, which in itself should let you know this album is good, but the real gem comes in that all tracks are not only good but absolutely great, this is a bloody quality album.

My favourite tracks on “World of Glass” are ‘The Shining Path’ which (at about 1:52) kicks into some seriously Gothenburg style death riffing, and doesn’t slow down for another five minutes. Brilliant.

Probably what really makes “World of Glass” stand out from the majority of the rest of the metal releases this year is that this album is what you want to make it. If you want black metal, you got black metal, if you want death metal, you got it, if you want female operatic power metal in the vein of Nightwish, you got it. Whatever your cocktail is, “World of Glass” will certainly be the best bartender this side of the moon.

Bottom Line: Nothing wrong in this release, without splitting hairs, crossbreed combination of the main genres and then a few twists. Spot on.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Maciek on December 18, 2012.

Quite good position in the genre of Symphonic Black Metal recently appeared from Belgium this year. I would compare it to early Dimmu Borgir albums, I've read some comparisons to Keep of Kalessin, I would add some early Emperor's efforts and some Cradle Of Filth's too.

The album is the second full length in bands catalogue and as for second album I was anticipating it nearly as much as Dimmu Borgir's "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" and the band's composing and workshop abilities are somewhere between this album and "Spiritual Black Dimensions" with some moments resembling Carpe Tenebrum's "Mirrored Hate Painting" and even few chords and tempos reminding Behemoth's slower tracks ('Fhtagn') with an atmosphere from Moonspell.

The drummer does a great job, putting blast-beats where they belong and when needed it is powerful but slow. My favourite track is probably 'Upon The Idol Of Crona' - proper Black Metal entrance with symphonic passages reminding sometimes early Therion (possibly because most of them are played on keyboards) and Portuguese Moonspell mentioned before. And along with fast-paced drums you can hear some really nice solos and melodic vocals. Really good epic track. Another good track is 'Sati' where you can hear more live instruments (trombone, euphonium, cornet, cello and violin, appearing in other tracks as well), starting in My Dying Bride-ish style but as the track goes on more and more interesting elements are being added (sitar for example) and obvioulsy there is some fair amount of Black Metal blast-beats. Quite interesting album, with big part of lyrics including elements of Cthulhu Mythos with lyrics written in English, German and Belgian. And signature cover made by Michał Karcz.

Basically the whole package has made very good impression on me and ever since I've heard the track promoting the album (Haunter Of The Dark') I knew it would be one of the strongest positions in Symphonic Black Metal in 2012. And I'm not disappointed.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by JD on November 19, 2013.

Power Metal is one of those varied metal genres that seem to keep growing even if it seems to have become stagnant. One only has to listen for a while to hear the pure musicianship it takes for Power Metal. When that same Power Metal takes many great cues from a variety of metal including Prog Metal, it just seems to take a life of its own and becomes nearly a genre on its own. With this little segway, here is a band that shows this crossover in a way that is out of the norm here– Finland’s Requiem.

Take one part Helloween, one part heavier Queensryche and add in some Children Of Bodom … you have Requiem. Not only do they combine these elements brilliantly into a sledgehammer effect – they also set the keyboards back in the mix, where most Power Metal acts do not, to let the power of the guitars take the lead. I for one applaud these choices and hope people like Children Of Bodom would follow suit.

I love all the tracks, but I seem to be more partial to just two. One is the title track of the album which is sweeping with masterful guitars and yet is bludgeoning heavy as well. The other song is the blistering riffage of 'The Dying Embers', reminding me of Dragonforce who have seem to become more for song that for the shred. Both kick and both are written great. The recording of the album is not as good as it should have been and that detracts somewhat from the album as a whole.

Power Metallers will applaud Requiem’s 2003 release, and regular metallists will be also extremely impressed. I found the album to be a welcome surprise – as Power Metal is not my favorite, but I do love it when it’s done with a twist. Requiem does just that… too bad they have split up now, would have loved to hear more from them.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 8.6 out of 10