Another Great Rock Opera
Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 09/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Missa Mercuria has an epic, somewhat symphonic metal feel. Musically the songs are very rich and layered, yet extremely accessible, with great engaging atmospheres and moods. All singers are excellent with kudos to Isolde Groß who has a voice similar to but even better than Tarja Turgen and D.C.Cooper who has a voice like a crooner but is also right at home with rock. Edenbridge's Sabine Edelsbacher also does an excellent performance, though she is relegated to only one song (perhaps the best) and that's a shame. Overall the album is very pleasant and easy to listen to with only three of the songs, "Divine Spark", "Bursting Ego" and "Rectificando" even getting into the rock area and one, "Spirit of Wisdom" would be better described as progressive metal, though the opening instrumental, Earth's Destruction sounds a tad ominous.
Missa Mercuria is a collaboration between several bands and their singers along with guest singers and guest musicians, who are shown below:
Songwriting
All lyrics: D.C. Cooper (SILENT FORCE)
Music: Günter Werno (VANDEN PLAS)
Stephan Lill (VANDEN PLAS)
Alex Beyrodt (SILENT FORCE)
Alfred Koffler (PINK CREAM 69)
Recordings
Drums: Andreas Lill (VANDEN PLAS)
Bass: Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69)
Guitars: Stephan Lill (VANDEN PLAS)
Alfred Koffler (PINK CREAM 69)
Alex Beyrodt (SILENT FORCE)
Keyboards: Günter Werno (VANDEN PLAS)
Percussion: Pedro Weiss (Session Percussionist)
Vocalists and their characters
D.C. Cooper: Firegod (SILENT FORCE)
Sabine Edelsbacher: Watergoddess (EDENBRIDGE)
Lori Williams: Earthgoddess (Black Session Soul singer)
Andy Kuntz: Airgod (VANDEN PLAS)
Isolde Groß: Mercuria (Classical Opera singer, soprano)
David Readman: Narrator (PINK CREAM 69)
KILLER CUTS
"Whisper of the Soul" (Watergoddess)
This song's lead melody must come from an ancient folk song because Within Temptation uses the same melody in their smash hit "Mother Earth". There's nothing wrong with that as it is a great and catchy melody. Coincidently the next track on Missa Mercuria is called "Mother Earth". "Whisper of the Soul" is a impressive variable tempo song of some six plus minutes. The singer Sabine Edelsbacher does an excellent job and sings a substantial portion double tracked.
"Missa Mercuria"
This title track has a grand showy beginning, which continues on the bridge sections, that is when our most impressive singer, Isolde Groß isn't delighting us with her ultra soprano vocals. Another six minute plus variable tempo song that will ring your bell.
"Rectificando"
Another interesting number "Rectificando" opens actually sounding like Iron Maiden (no kidding) but that is short lived once the song really gets going and when it does, it really gets going. David Readman's capable vocals are sandwiched between notable, throbbing guitar riffs. The singing is almost delivered as a ballad which defies the medium/medium fast pace of the music.
Other Notables
Being a fan of Keyboards and specifically piano I quite enjoyed the melancholy musings of "Illusions of Time" and further piano accompaniment in "Fairytales of Truth".
Also the DC Cooper/Isolde Groß duet, again with strong piano accompaniment in "Farewell for Love's Sake" is another memorable ballad.
The first vocal song is the energetic metal "Divine Spark" complete with fast double bass drumming and tremendous singing from D.C. Cooper. The bridge includes some interesting eastern sounding elements.
CONCLUSION
Rock Operas are back and I'm glad. It seems to be a trendy thing these days: members of famous bands grouping together to create something special. It also seems to elevate a musician's status to have performed in one. Such is the case with Missa Mercuria. We have been treated lately, by some of the most spectacular collaborations of all time. With the likes of Tobias Sammet's "Avantasia", Beto Vasquez Infinity's "Infinity", Daniele Liverani's "Genius" or Arjen Lucassen's "The Human Equation", "Star One" and anything else he seems to make, Rock Operas are gaining enormous popularity and now with Missa Mercuria we have another great Rock Opera. Heavy symphonic metal, quiet sultry ballads, over the top melodies. Its all here in one package. Aficionados of instrumentals as well as male and female vocals, will appreciate Missa Mercuria for its variation and consistency."
Amazing all-star metal opera
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 04/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For some reason this disc did not get the same kind of attention as similar projects like Star One, Ayreon, and Avantasia did, which is a shame since Missa Mercuria is one of the best of the so-called "metal operas". I think that if this album was released by a major label like Inside Out or Century Media, it would have been a much bigger hit, and would have received the praise and publicity that it deserves.
Missa Mercuria features some of the best and brightest members of the progressive and power metal community, including D.C. Cooper (Silent Force, ex-Royal Hunt), Andy Kuntz (Vanden Plas), David Readman and Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69), and the lovely Sabine Edelsbacher (Edenbridge). I haven't read too much into the story behind the album, since I have been so blown away by the music. This is a melodic metal fan's dream. It's got excellent instrumental passages combined with truly stellar vocal performances. DC Cooper is my favorite singer, and he just shines on this album. David Readman is awesome as well. Both he and DC have the kind of voice that pulls you into the songs. Sabine's work is simply angelic, as Edenbridge fans are no doubt familiar with.
Missa Mercuria will definitely appeal to fans of Silent Force, Edenbridge, Vanden Plas, and Pink Cream 69, and should appeal to the Star One/Ayreon/Avantasia/Genius metal opera crowd as well. I give this CD a full 5-star rating, as it is impressive from start to finish, and there is not a single song on it that I don't like."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1