Label : Massacre Records

Review By Erwin Van Dijk

Coronatus was one of the big surprises on Metal Female Voices Fest last year (2009) I had never heard from this German band before and while I had listen to some of their songs on the Coronatus MySpace by a handful of too compressed files on the internet. But at the Octoberhallen I was very impressed by their performance. So the question was when I got my hands on the promo if the band could life up to my expectations. In two words - they did.

According to Carmen, who is responsible for the soprano singing parts in Coronatus. "Fabula Magna" is the bands most metal oriented album album of the band. The addition of a second guitarist and a new bassist between the recording of "Fabula Magna" and "Porta Obscura" have given "Fabula Magna" (the album title means Grand Tale in Latin) a boost of fresh energy.

(As you can read in the interview I did with Carmen she was a bit afraid about what the fans would think of "Fabula Magna" but believe me, there is nothing to worry about.)

Many so called gothic bands do not really make metal at all but an up-tempo rock songs. The combination of Carmen’s soprano voice and new rock singer Lisa Lasch works fine. The way they sing both voices blend in perfectly together. And you should not forget that the Metal Female Voices Fest gig was Lisa’s debut in Coronatus. Nothing in the way she sings reveal that she is new in the band.

The songs on "Fabula Magna" are sung in German, English, Latin and one in Greek ("Tanatos", which means Death of course). The first half of the album houses the faster songs of "Fabula Magna", with "Wolfstanz" as my favourite while the second half has the more epic songs and the ballad.

If you like bands like Epica, the Tarja era Nightwish or After Forever "Fabula Magna" would be something for you.

Rating: 80/100

 

Tracklist 

1. Preface
2. Geisterkirche
3. Tantalos
4. Wolfstanz
5. Der Fluch
6. Flying By Alone
7. Kristallklares Wasser
8. How Far Would You Go
9. Der Letzte Tanz
10. Est Carmen
11. Blind
12. Josy

 

Line Up

• Carmen R. Lorch - Vocals
• Lisa Lasch - Vocals
• Mats Kurth - Drums
• Fabian Merkt - Keyboards & Programming
• Todd Goldfinger - Bass Guitar
• Jo Lang - Lead & Rhythm Guitar
• Aria Keramati Noori - Lead & Rhythm Guitar

 

Links

Coronatus Official MySpace

Coronatus Official Site

 

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