Opera Diabolicus is the new theatrical project of composer/musician David Grimoire and lyricist Adrian de Crow. The idea to collaborate came about when the two men met at a stage play of Umberto Eco's book, The Name of the Rose, at a theatre in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2006. The music has been described as dramatic and dark doom metal with atmospheric, epic and progressive elements. Bands that influenced the music on "1614"; Candlemass, King Diamond, Therion, Dimmu Borgir and Kamelot, to which all I agree with. To add that extra incentive to listen, the album features the talents of drummer Snowy Shaw (King Diamond/ Mercyful Fate, Dream Evil, Therion), Mats Leven (ex- Yngiwe Malmsteen, he can be heard on "Facing The Animal") and Niklas Isfeldt (Dream Evil) on vocals/ demonic voices, and produced/mixed by Andy LaRocque (guitar for the King Diamond band).

Sounds too good to be true? Think there are so many symphonic or orchestral rock/metal operas to begin with? Well I can tell you this, unlike many other similarly themed albums which include many musicians, different music styles, instrumentation, several songwriters, singers and voices…this is one of the most cohesive of them all. With a name that roughly translates to “devilish works” (see our interview with David), the music throughout the eight songs is expertly delivered without too many layers or bombast and familiar orchestrations. A mix of heavy metal with theater that does recall the masterfully crafted moments from efforts by the above mentioned bands.

Take for example the opening track ‘The Gate’, I hear Candlemass in the haunting riffing, Kamelot in the complimenting female voice, Therion in the proggy changes and also Symphony X (briefly once) backing vocals, to Dimmu in the occult feel in the demonic textures. A bit more of a black/death metal vocal (that is not over used) balanced out with melody from the female voice, combined with Mats strong tone is a well done melding for the epic ‘Blood Countess Bathory’. The voices for the different characters/parts gel very well and again are not over done because Mats is the lead. Foreboding riffs, keys, and Snowy’s always energetic drum parts make this one a gothic keeper for the ages. Do check this out. ‘The 13th Ghost’ brings in the King Diamond element both in falsetto vocal and some composition, and the soundscape expands further the creepy piano begun interlude ‘In Memoriam’ (also don’t miss that evil laughter in the background). ‘Mythos Lamia”, ‘Forbidden’, and ‘Stone By Stone’ close out the album with a consistent vibe, the feel for the theater without short-changing on the Metal.