We've all heard bands that fatten up their sound with an extra guitarist, like IRON MAIDEN; but three vocalists? This is not done often; the Swedish / Danish band AMARANTHE are known for an eclectic mix of female and male cleans, as well as a screamer, but German Symphonic group CORONATUS feature three, very different, classically trained female singers, and what they have done is something truly unique. "Recreatio Carminis" is an incredibly ambitious venture that fuses Heavy, Progressive and Power Metal with prominent symphonic and gothic touches and lyrical themes that touch on myth, legend and grandeur. We end up not with yet another Euro-symphonic act, but one that takes it one step further. An Orchestra-Opera created by just 7 people.

The quality of the mixing is immediately evident on the opening pair, "Ouvertuere" and "Towards Horizon"; every component shines through in utter majesty. Artificial or not, the quality of the orchestral atmosphere is most authentic, and does not dominate the crushingly heavy riffage that this album will surely become known for. The drum work on the equally heavy "The Monk" is especially characterized by intricate and unusual playing, that almost gives the impression of it sounding out of time, but is in reality helping to churn forth a very powerful piece of music; Mats Kurth is clearly one hell of a drummer. "Der Gesandte" is one of many songs on this album that feature almost solely German lyrics; perhaps some neo-classical influences are reflected here, because the expertly-trained operatic vocals found are immediately reminiscent of antique opera.

The slow pace is immediately picked up in "Winterrosen", where the German lyrical flourishes are carried on the back of a guitar-stallion that gallops for the majority of the song. A more traditional (I hesitate to use the term Folk) vibe is brought forth in the eclectic "So Tanzt"; the unusual drum patterns make a return, and the song almost feels like a technical Dance track, with some almost FINNTROLL-like vocal patterns. Mastering a combination of melody and keeping to such a technical rhythmic patterns sounds incredibly different, but the triplet of maidens manages it. "Fernes Land" has to be my favorite track because of its surprisingly diverse range of passages, and a beautiful melding of folk and heavy riffage that dominates the end of the song, capped off by a tasteful solo.

For such an obviously technically brilliant group of musicians, I had hoped for a little more showing-off, of lead a guitar; now, I very rarely say this about a band, for I often find myself drowning in it, but I feel it would have made a nice compliment to the string and vocal work. Regardless, CORONATUS is still definitely one of the better symphonic acts of heard, and deserve to share the stage with the greats.