THE BEAST

Royal Hunt - Dystopia - Reviewed By Noizy Magazine ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.noizy.gr/music/artists-albums/R/854-royal-hunt/1531-dystopia

Sixteenth album for the Danes Royal Hunt, released through NorthPoint Productions in Europe and America and through King Records in mainland Asia and Japan.

   "Dystopia" is a concept album based on Ray Bradbury's classic novel "Fahrenheit 451". It is about a dark story of a future society. In the book, Ray Bradbury talks about censorship and the people who despise it. "Dystopia" begins with "Inception ℉ 451", which puts you in the mood of the story. Sirens are heard and the music predetermines that something is about to happen.

   The books and the houses that hid the knowledge had to be burned, so "Burn" comes to speak to us through a symphonic operetta narrative about this. Have you really thought about what you would do if something like this happened? That is, if they imposed the destruction of knowledge on us in order to be able to lock free speech, the spirit? I do not even want to think about it.
 

   "The Art Of Dying" has a theatrical introduction, with the bells ringing softly and the music making something so uniquely epic. How would he be supported in a theatrical scene? I would love to watch it.

   I forgot to inform you that in addition to DC Cooper on vocals, you will also hear Mats Leven (Candlemass, TSO, Skyblood), Mark Boals (YJ Malmsteen, Ring of Fire), Henrik Brockmann (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N´Tribe ), Kenny Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez), Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP). The company is great and all the songs are really enjoyable.

   The rain, the melancholy melody, comes to "I Used To Walk Alone", to give a more personal touch to the theatrical album. Alexandra Andersens gives her own emotional stamp. Next stop or stage, after talking about metal opera, "The Eye Of Oblivion", which is given through more rock elements, while "Hound Of The Damned" captures the boundaries of atmospheric prog metal.
 

   A unique melody springs up in "Hound Of The Damned" and within a minute and something musically describes all the emotions of this dystopian story. The eight-minute "Black Butterflies" follows the story and the introduction of the theme is spectacular. When the voice begins its own path, it gives a multidimensional presence to the song. "Snake Eyes" comes in the form of a ballad of the eighties, as the story comes to an end.

   The guitar, melancholy "Midway", shows you melodic the tragic end of the story, but also the end of a unique album. The symphonic melodies in "Dystopia" are sophisticated, they have a beautiful operetta atmosphere, although dark. The images that emerge in your mind are impressive and make the whole sound a unique experience.

   I hope we watch it soon and get caught uniquely in the web of history. To be enchanted by the melodies and to give a loud message to those who are either trying or thinking to try to dismantle our freedoms. No such horror will pass. We are and will remain free!

Mary Zarakovitis
 

“ Dystopia ” released on December 16th via King Records (Japan/SE Asia) and on December 18th (UPD: physical format on the 15th of January 2021) via NorthPoint Productions (Europe / N / S America). A concept album offering a considerable expansion of the band´s trademark sound and featuring performances by guest vocalists: Mats Leven ( Candlemass, TSO, Skyblood ), Mark Boals ( Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire ), Henrik Brockmann ( Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N´Tribe ), Kenny Lubcke ( Narita, Zoser Mez ) and Alexandra Andersen ( Royal Hunt, JSP ).

“Dystopia” is available on ALL digital platforms (as MP3, FLAC), and as a regular CD (jewel case), various deluxe editions / bundles and a double heavy vinyl LP at  royalhunt.com

Spotify:  http://bit.ly/dystopia-spotify  
iTunes:  http://bit.ly/dystopia-itunes
YouTube:  http://bit.ly/dystopia-youtube
Amazon:  http://bit.ly/dystopia-amazon

ROYAL HUNT - " The Art Of Dying " ft. Mats Leven (single version) 

ROYAL HUNT  keep intriguing fans with their adventurous endeavors and the band´s 15th studio album is no exception: a monumental concept opus featuring symphonic, progressive yet hard hitting compositions full of impeccable performances, wrapped tightly into immediately accessible format and a lush, contemporary production.

The addition of some extraordinary guest singers and their outstanding performances combined with vastly extended orchestrations creates a truly conceptual, cinematic feel throughout each and every track.

Tracklist:

INCEPTION ℉451
BURN      
THE ART OF DYING
I USED TO WALK ALONE       
THE EYE OF OBLIVION 
HOUND OF THE DAMNED
THE MISSING PAGE (Intermission I)
BLACK BUTTERFLIES
SNAKE EYES
MIDWAY (Intermission II)

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