OPERUS has an impressive pedigree that includes graduate degrees in music, music conservatory residencies, and experience in groups known for their musicianship and musical excellence like TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. Together, the six members of the band put together an avant-garde album that combines traditional symphonic metal with progressive structuring. If you're a fan of musical wonder and whimsy, "Score Of Nightmares" is for you.

The intro, "Overture Of Madness" is a nice, symphonic piece that lets us know the type of album we're getting into. From the low vocal melodies to the dark marching beat, we're treated to a good first track with solid harmonies and notation contrast. "Phantasia" comes in with full orchestral symphonics that feel real. Even if they were made on a synthetic keyboard, it feels like I'm listening to a full orchestra. The vocals are clear, on key, and operatic. They can get theatrical, but even when they do, they don't stray off-key or strain past their range. "Lost" is one of my favorite songs on the album. The violin work is excellent in the intro and the guitar trills that are peppered here and there through the verses are a nice touch. The slow down and speed up in the middle of the song was surprising. The operatic harmonies near the end were lovely and led into a frenzied, passionate guitar solo that was unexpected.

"Dance With Nightmares" is an elegant song with an intro that speeds up tempo with enchanting ambient effects. The harsh, heavy beat in the refrain shows how effectively the band can do contrasting low and high notes and slow and fast tempos in a melody line. The guitar solo has thrashing sweeps, then goes into a quieter refrain, then gives way to soaring harmonies. "Echoes" is a beautiful interlude with an intricate piano melody that gives listeners a pretty reprieve between heavy songs. The following song opens with a soaring intro that shows good musical painting, especially given the name of the song is "Where Falcons Fly." The speak-singing in the middle of the song followed by narration is an interesting choice. There's a contrast between fast, machine-gun guitar licks and slow, melodic vocals that's notable; it's another example of how well the band does contrast. However, the changes in the song can make it seem longer than it is and feeling too stuffed with musical switches. Let your movements breathe!

Overall, the harmonies and contrast are what makes this album for me. I also loved that the band uses real, orchestral symphonics rather than fake, videogame sounding tones. At times, the album could become too bombastic for my taste. The closing song "La Llorona" was a good example. While it's a decent closing track and musically great, it was super theatrical and more straightforward as a song than I hoped. That said, I adore symphonic metal and think the band has great talent. If you like symphonic, full orchestral music, check them out.