Artist: Disillusion Album: Gloria

Year: 2006
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Gloria by Disillusion

Disillusion, the German progressive metal band, is known for releasing groundbreaking music that combines other sub-genres of metal and rock. Their fourth album, Gloria, which was released in 2019, showcases their exceptional musicianship, vivid storytelling, and creative production style. In this critical review, we will delve into the album by discussing the history of Disillusion, the music genre of Gloria, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critique of the album.

Disillusion, founded in 1994 by Vurtox and Schmidt, is originally a death metal and black metal band. However, they experienced lineup changes that led to their progress towards a more progressive metal sound. They have released three albums before Gloria, titled Back to Times of Splendor (2004), Gloria EP (2006), and Alea (2006). After several years of hiatus, they reunited with a fresh lineup and released Gloria.

The music genre of Gloria can be described as a combination of progressive metal, post-metal, symphonic metal, and even a hint of electronic music. It is an album that takes the listeners on an intense and emotional journey from start to finish. The combination of heavy riffs, dynamic drumming, ethereal synths, and orchestral instruments creates a unique soundscape that is both familiar and refreshing.

Regarding the best songs of the album, Wintertide and The Great Unknown are the standout tracks. Wintertide is a beautiful ballad that showcases the band's softer side. The gentle piano melody, acoustic guitar, and clean vocals by Schmidt create a haunting atmosphere. The Great Unknown is an epic masterpiece that takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride. Starting with a delicate piano intro, it builds up to a crescendo of heavy headbanging riffs, soaring vocals, and thunderous percussion.

One of the most innovative parts of Gloria is the use of the orchestra. The band collaborated with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to add a cinematic and grandiose feeling to some of the songs. The orchestra adds texture and color to the sound, making it more immersive and dramatic. The interplay between the metal instruments and the orchestra is seamless and adds another layer of complexity to the music.

However, Gloria is not flawless. The biggest criticism of the album is the length of some of the songs. Some of the tracks, such as The Liberation and A Shimmer in the Darkest Sea, are over ten minutes long. Although they are impressive and have some fantastic sections, they can feel repetitive and tedious at times. The album could have benefited from some editing and maybe cutting down some tracks to make it more concise.

In conclusion, Gloria by Disillusion is a remarkable album that showcases the band's creativity, musicianship, and storytelling ability. It is an album that combines various sub-genres of metal and rock, creating a unique and memorable listening experience. The standout tracks, orchestral arrangements, and innovative sound make it a worthy addition to any metal lover's collection. Although the length of some songs can be tedious, it is still an album that deserves a listen.

In conclusion, Gloria by Disillusion is a remarkable album that showcases the band's creativity, musicianship, and storytelling ability. It is an album that combines various sub-genres of metal and rock, creating a unique and memorable listening experience. The standout tracks, orchestral arrangements, and innovative sound make it a worthy addition to any metal lover's collection. Although the length of some songs can be tedious, it is still an album that deserves a listen.