This album is a project from Heleno Vale. It is called "The Labyrinth Of Truth" and is described in the press release as a Heavy Metal opera; I am genuinely confused here. I have heard numerous Rock and/or Metal operas and they all have a symphonic element to them. This release does not. It also has some growling vocals which to me are completely out of left field for a Metal opera. The one thing that has always annoyed me about AVANTASIA is that they sacrifice the metal for the orchestral parts. I like those elements, but don't put the word "Metal" in your album title if you aren't going to include any of it. This album does not do that. There is plenty of true Heavy Metal here. That is a relief to me. If I am going to listen to this, which I must to do the review, at least it is Metal.

Another aspect of the "Heavy Metal operas" is a sense of something "epic" in scope. I do not find that here at all. That doesn't make it a bad album, but it seems odd that it isn't here. It is perhaps entirely possible that I am just not the intended audience. That's OK, but I have to review it on the merits I deem it to have or not to have. There simply isn't enough of a symphonic element to qualify this as a Metal opera. That being said, it is slightly entertaining.Again, the speed of this album is very surprising. With all the different guest vocalists involved, I didn't know what to expect. Some of the vocalists are pretty obnoxious. What I mean is that they clash against the background of the music. There are moments when the various guest vocalists make it more tolerable, but not enough to fix the damage done by the almost death growls.There does seem to be some heavy keyboard arrangements involved, but that does not take the place of a true symphonic feel. To be completely and totally honest, the main male vocalist completely ruins this album for me. It simply doesn't belong on an Operatic release. I hope other people can appreciate the vocals more than I did.

There are a few moments where a piano is used or maybe even a choir, but there isn't enough to fit the intended genre. Keyboards simply do not replicate an actual orchestral feel. It isn't possible and it doesn't even come close here. I simply cannot recommend this album with a clear conscience. It isn't a terrible album, but it isn't what is advertised. Proceed with extreme caution.