Album Review: Lost Symphony - Chapter III
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Slipping under the radar during the chaos of the past 15 months is Lost Symphony. A classically infused metal ensemble, ‘Chapter III’ is unsurprisingly the third album from the collective. This release features a four-way axe attack with guests Marty Friedman, Nuno Bettencourt, Alex Skolnick and Richard Shaw participating.
Founded in 2015 by multi-instrumentalist and producer Benny Goodman, Lost Symphony comprises brother Brian (compositions, arrangement), Cory Paza (bass, guitar), Kelly Kereliuk (guitar), Paul Lourenco (drums), and Siobhán Cronin (violin, viola, electric violin).
Totally instrumental in style and delivery, this is an album for those who enjoy virtuoso playing, complex melodies and classically crafted music. At times uplifting, but it’s one for the musos.
Sonically, the soaring soundscapes provide ample shredding opportunity, caveated by gentler but consistently inspiring passages. At 46 minutes, it’s an opportunity to close one’s eyes and let the superb playing wash over you. It is certainly guitar dominated, with some dazzling solos that simply rip out of the speakers.
It carries some weight, with Angel Vivaldi, David Ellefson, Jimi Bell, Matt LaPierre, Joey Concepcion, Oli Herbert, Jeff Loomis, Matt LaPierre and Ryan Formato all back along for the ride in addition to the four shredders. The music is varied with the swirling violins on ‘Decomposing Composers’ and the measured duel between Cronin and Friedman on ‘Bargaining Depression’ providing a stunning contrast to the muscular guitar work that preceded it on opener ‘Denial of Anger’.
‘Chapter III’ is a bit of an acquired taste. At times, a tad overindulgent, it’s something that will either grab your attention or not. I’m afraid I preferred to have it as background music, which is not to deny the complexity and quality on offer. It’s tireless in its enthusiasm, something I cannot fault. It’s a franchise that could run and run. I appreciate the quality; the playing is phenomenal but sometimes you just want something a bit less polished.
