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Therion - Secret Of The Runes



8.6 | 596 votes |
Release date: 2001
Style: Symphonic metal

Owners:

702 have it
52 want it
1 trades it


01. Ginnungagap (Prologue)
02. Midgård
03. Asgård
04. Jotunheim
05. Schwarzalbenheim
06. Ljusalfheim
07. Muspelheim
08. Nifelheim
09. Vanaheim
10. Helheim
11. Secret Of The Runes (Epilogue)
12. Crying Days [Scorpions cover]
13. Summernight City [ABBA cover]

Top 20 albums of 2001: 17

Additional info
Produced by C. Johnsson and Therion.
Engineered by S. Karppinen.
Assistant engineering by K. Niemann and C. Johnsson.
Mixed by Mikko Karmila.
Mastered by Mika Jussila and Mikko Karmila.
Recorded during the spring 2001 at Modern Art, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mixed and mastered in June-July at Finnvox, Helsinki, Finland.
All songs on Secret of the Runes were written by Christofer Johnsson/Thomas Karlsson, except "Ginnungagap" which was written by Kristian Niemann/Christofer Johnsson/Thomas Karlsson.
All classic and opera arrangemants by C. Johnsson.
German translation on "Schwarzalbenheim" by Christian Ratsch.
Cover & Layout by Thomas Ewerhard.
The bonus tracks on this CD: Recorded at DA Studio, Stockholm, winter 1999 by Sami Karppinen.
Remixed at Finnvox Studio July 2001 by Mikko Karmila.
Mastered at Finnvox Studio July 2001 by Mika Jussila and Mikko Karmila.
Additional melodies and classic arrangements by Christofer Johnsson.

This album was also put in a paper folder in the back of a German limited
edition of the Uthark book, written by Thomas Karlsson, discussing the Uthark-theory first advocated by the Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell in the in the 1930's. It basically meant that there was a deeper, (darker), secret (magic) side of the runes that only the runemaster knew about.

Staff review by
Dream Taster
Rating:
10
I knew it! Since I listened to the last Nightwish and didn't enjoy it too much... Something was missing. Now listening to Secret Of The Runes, I have the answer: thrash metal! For those who don't know Therion, I can say that it's the perfect combination of symphonic metal and thrash metal. Therion's frontman and founder, Christofer Johnsson, is a real genius. I understand now that he claims to be the founder of symphonic metal, a long time before Nightwish Theli in 1996]. Honestly, Secret Of The Runes is my first Therion album but I want to do the review because I've just found what I was looking for since the discovery of symphonic metal... Unlike the Finnish band, Therion uses a full choir registry - including tenors, sopranos, altos and baritons - as lead vocalists. Even if I love Tarja's voice, it's clear that the result is different here. One other difference is the fact that Therion uses a 'real' orchestra instead of keyboards and flute. These are the differences between Therion and Nightwish on the symphonic aspect of their music but, of course, the main difference is that Therion has also gothic thrash metal backgrounds. Well, I hope you understand that, in my mind, Nightwish and Therion sound very different! But let's talk about Therion now! Concretely, Secret Of The Runes is a concept album about Nordic mythology. That's why it contains songs with such names as 'Asgard' or 'Midgard'.

Read more ››
published 20.10.2003 | Comments (15)

Found in 26 lists
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Comments

Comments: 13   Visited by: 640 users
11.02.2012 - 21:58
Rating: 9
musicalkaratekid

A very good therion album, and perhaps one of their best for the 21st century. The ABBA cove isn't shameful either, which kind of helps;)
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23.04.2013 - 20:00
Rhiannon
Account deleted
My favourite Therion album besides Lemuria. The opening, Ginnungagap is so powerful, sets the mood perfectly, and from that the album has a nice flow. The bonus tracks are good too.
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25.04.2013 - 05:39
Rating: 9
Unhealer
Eclecticist
Best Therion album, yes sir. I was so happy when they played it on it's entirety in their last tour...
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01.01.2014 - 15:54
Valentin B
Iconoclast
That solo in Ginnungagap is absolutely epic! I get a feeling I am flying through deep valleys and mountains when I listen to this album and that song in particular
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17.05.2015 - 23:59
Rating: 10
indexqwest

Great, great album!
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01.01.2016 - 20:46
Rating: 10
Hex_Omega
Gem Seeker
Probably their best album. Not only great production, atmosphere, vocals and symphonic parts but also riffs. Amazing work, amazing music.
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01.01.2016 - 22:32
Rating: 10
masterofdisguise

Written by Hex_Omega on 01.01.2016 at 20:46

Probably their best album. Not only great production, atmosphere, vocals and symphonic parts but also riffs. Amazing work, amazing music.

Totally agree, definitely their best. This album is pure magic, each track is a travel through the respective world, all you can do is relax and let the music carry yourself away.
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05.02.2018 - 18:39
Rating: 9
Spacerunner

Their last great work.
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01.03.2018 - 19:05
Rating: 10
Antartic

Just one word: MASTERPIECE!
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14.03.2022 - 11:21
Rating: 9
nonZero

I really struggled to appreciate this album when I first heard it but have grown to really enjoy it over time. The concept of exploring each of the Nordic Realms in an album is a fantastic idea!

8.7/10 for me - 'Ginnungagap (Prologue)', 'Asgård', 'Ljusalfheim', 'Muspelheim' and 'Vanaheim' are the standout tracks.

Their 3rd best album after Theli (9.0/10) and Lemura (8.8/10) IMO.
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14.03.2022 - 18:59
Rating: 7
F3ynman2000
Nocturnal Bro
Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 11:21

The concept of exploring each of the Nordic Realms in an album is a fantastic idea!

Oh! This has grabbed my attention! I need to listen to this album now...
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14.03.2022 - 19:07
Rating: 9
nonZero

Written by F3ynman2000 on 14.03.2022 at 18:59

Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 11:21

The concept of exploring each of the Nordic Realms in an album is a fantastic idea!

Oh! This has grabbed my attention! I need to listen to this album now...

You won't be disappointed. Just don't expect the same level as Theli.
----
Top 500 Albums (ordered & rated)
Top 200 Overlooked Albums (with genres)
So I Heard You Like Wintersun... (Time II find new bands)
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22.03.2022 - 02:12
Rating: 7
F3ynman2000
Nocturnal Bro
Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 19:07

Written by F3ynman2000 on 14.03.2022 at 18:59

Written by nonZero on 14.03.2022 at 11:21

The concept of exploring each of the Nordic Realms in an album is a fantastic idea!

Oh! This has grabbed my attention! I need to listen to this album now...

You won't be disappointed. Just don't expect the same level as Theli.

It was very enjoyable, thanks
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