Xystus Equilibrio
by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer
Over the last few years the delicate and noble art of uniting classical music with rock has not only been revived, but taken to a new level by a plethora of metal acts. This time around a Dutch outfit Xystus is giving a rousing lift to the old rock opera paradigm with a one-disk opus telling a pathos-laden, myth-inspired story of division and unity, freedom and servitude, and temptations of power and immortality.
Apart from deserving kudos for keeping things brief and to the point, the project commands instant respect for its expert orchestration, a moving libretto and, at privileged moments, spellbinding instrumental melodies. Vocal melodies, by contrast, vary – at times matching the beauty of the instrumental parts, but more often than not veering towards pop clichés that would make any Eurovision contestant proud – both in terms of composition and execution. In the end, however, all flaws are redeemed by the beauty and sheer boldness of lucid, delicate instrumental interludes, dramatic orchestral sweeps, and finely wrought electric guitar parts.
Violins, horns, flutes, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, trombones, cellos and a harp all blend with the guitar, the bass, and the synths in one unified, perfectly arranged vision, cooking up a concoction of ’70’s prog, classic rock, and modern metal. Contrasts between growling and clean vocals, a choir and the soloists, tradition and innovation, all work to make this album a multi-dimensional, convincing statement to the fact that true musicianship knows no divisions of style or rank, being able to go from populist to elitist and back within one concise, exciting, mature piece of work.
Label: Sensory
Cast:
Bas Dolmans – Diegu
Simone Simons – Lady Sophia
John Vooijs – Primos
Michelle Splietelhof – Aveline
George Oosthoek – Death
Lyrics and vocal melodies by Bas Dolmans
Band arrangements by Xystus
Orchestral arrangements by Jeppe Moulijn
Musicians:
Ivo van Dijk – Drums
Bob Wijtsma – Guitars
Mark Brekelmans – Bass
Joris van de Kerkhof – Synths
Track Listing:
Equilibrio Overture
Act 1 Sc. 1: My Song of Creation
Act 1 Sc. 3: The Traveller
Act 1 Sc. 5: Last Breath
Act 1 Sc. 6: Divided We Stand
Act 1 Sc. 8: The Conflict
Act 2 Sc. 1: Destiny Unveiled
Act 2 Sc. 3: My Time of Need
Act 2 Sc. 4: Forever Bound
Act 2 Sc. 5: The Message
Act 2 Sc. 6: Balance Restored
Act 2 Sc. 7: God of Symmetry
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10