Delusion-Elle

Right, so I'm technically done my paper, but now I just have to do up the bibliography and endnotes and print it all out. It looks like it's going to be 7-8 pages so I'll be scrounging around looking for a duotang or some sort of folder, I guess.

Oh, and I totally just killed a spider on the wall. Bitch didn't know what was coming.

So while I indulge in some lucubration (dictionary.com word of the day!) by writing up my bibliography, I'll give the new Serenity album a listen and do a little some massive track-by-track "first impressions" commentary.
I mean, it's not like my day was very exciting or anything anyway.

Alright, let's start with a little basic info:
Band: Serenity
Album: Death & Legacy
Release date: le vingt-cinq février (Feb. 25/11, whut up!)
General Intro/Disclaimer: This is my first impression of the album. Granted, I've heard 2 tracks already from the music video and single, but aside from that, these are my first thoughts hearing the album. No, I haven't read anyone else's thoughts on this album so I'm not biased. I don't own this album (yet) nor do I endorse piracy. I think of this as trying the album out before I buy. To me that only makes sense that you'd try before you buy. And if I like this album, then I fully intend on doing my very best to get a hard copy. Please note that I am not the uploader.

Go download the album from here to listen along with me. Or if you want direct download links then try this, this, or this. Ahem...

1. Set Sail to... (Intro): Not a particularly musical or melodious intro track, but it definitely sets the whole "I'm on a boat" (lulz) sensation up for "New Horizons"...
2. New Horizons: I like the opening riff! Actually, I really quite like the instrumentation overall. And that double kick drum work. Niiiiiiiice. Sounds very much like power metal. My guess is that it's about Napoleon Bonaparte? Unless I am mixing up my facts (I thought I heard "Elba"). It's a very solid track.
3. The Chevalier: Oooh the intro! It starts off with a stately little strings rift backed by a choir before absolutely rocking into that signature Serenity sound. I've already listened to this track plenty of times before back when the music video was released. In fact, I think I posted that video. In short, this song is thoroughly enjoyable and is very catchy. And the female guest vocals (Ailyn of Sirenia) sound better here than in her own bloody band. "TONIIII-EEE-IIII-EEE-IIIGHT"
4. Far From Home: This track starts with a lot of aggressive energy. Not a bad thing. I feel like as it transitions into the chorus for the first time... it's a letdown. Like the chorus could've been some super catchy powerful thing, but it fell a little short. That being said, by the second chorus, I'm starting to really like the nuances of the chorus. It's catchy in its own way, albeit not very in-your-face. Definitely liking the little bridge with the vocals on the offbeats. Another very solid track.
5. Heavenly Mission: Oh interesting layered vocal intro. And of course, we kick it into high gear after about 20 seconds. Hmm, there's this strange heavy sound. I can't quite describe it, but to me it's heavy and dark brown. All I know is that it's on the downbeat and I like it. It makes the song stand out. As we transition into the chorus, I realize that I quite like this song. It's a little slower than the last few tracks, but it seems more melodious. Oh, and I've figured out that it's some sort of drum or percussion instrument. Great variety in instruments in this song. I'm hearing: "The chocolate frost is growing pain" (at 4:18). I am lol'ing. Oh Georg, don't ever lose that accent~
6. Prayer (Interlude): Ah, bells! Tolling! John Donne! And a choir. Ah, and now I understand why Ailyn is credited as being featured in this track as well, with her being Spanish and all. I admit that she doesn't have a fantastic voice for this kind of atmospheric thing, but whatever. Pleasant enough, I suppose. Fairly nondescript track. Feels like wannabe Kamelot, but not quite reaching that level in creepy/cool/confusing interludes.
7. State of Siege: Interesting percussion-heavy intro. Very marching band-esque. And an oboe solo it sounds like. Definitely getting the "let's go to war, guise!" vibe. Whoa. The guitar came in and smothered the drums. Nice. And vocals come in 2/5 of the way through. Sounds very standard power metal with some very tasteful symphonic embellishments.
8. Changing Fate: Acoustic guitar starts this track off, accompanied by some strings and jangly percussion. This song sounds rather nondescript so far. Pleasant, but not outstanding, really. Ooooh Amanda Somerville does the guest vocals! I quite like her. And she adds some life to the song. When Georg and Amanda sing together, it sounds nice. Alright, things have livened up, especially when the guitar solo came in. I feel bad for thinking this song boring initially. I'll have to give it another listen with the lyrics in front of me.
9. When Canvas Starts to Burn: Some heavy guitar riffing starts this one off. This song sounds hella agressive [French has evidently degraded my English] aggressive. Hm, the song mellowed out a little. And has gone back to being aggressive. I'm really digging this aggression, not gonna lie.
10. Serenade of Flames: ADFAFDADSJFKL; I adore this song. Honestly, I really truly do. The opening guitar riff is catchy. The chorus is catchy. There is just a hint of aggression in the guitar following the intro. Charlotte Wessel's vocals are spot-on. Her voice has a different quality to it, and it's one that I like so I was definitely looking forward to hearing this song when she was announced as a guest vocalist. Yes, I've listened to this song before, but I didn't fangirl over it quite so much as I am now. :)
11. Youngest of Widows: Oh cool layered vocals for an intro! The guitar's really driving, but there are some nice orchestral stabs. This song really has that uplifting feeling (à la standard power metal, yeah yeah you're sick of me genre-dropping). And I really should stop saying "really". This is a limited edition bonus track, but I think that I like it more than "State of Siege". Ah well.
12. Below Eastern Skies (Interlude): Whoa, trippy intro. Definitely has that Middle Eastern feel. The female vocals sound kind of thin to me, but oh well. They're not supposed to be the focus or anything. I do think that Serenity did a good job of capturing the Middle Eastern vibe. And I can't help but be reminded of Kamelot ("Desert Reign/Nights of Arabia").
13. Beyond Desert Sands: [added later, after "My Legacy", see "To India's Shores" notes] NIIIIIIGHTS OF ARA--oh wait. Nah, doesn't sound at all like "Nights of Arabia", but I'm definitely hearing Kamelot influences. Liking the guitar a lot. Ah, okay, this song is catchy. And has those kickass double kick drum sixteenth notes. Oh, random female backup vocals! I love random female backup vocals! "SEVENTEEN YEAAAAAAAARS"
14. To India's Shores: Sounds so pretty! *0* I'm a sucker for pretty string arrangements, and this song does indeed start with a pretty string arrangement. Wait, am I missing a song? Where is "Beyond Desert Sands"? Oh Jesus. This kind of... messes things up. Anyone care to link me to a download that has "Beyond Desert Sands" or just send it to me? T^T  [found it, WMP is being a derp and isn't including it when I just play the Death & Legacy album. Quoiiiiii?]... but holy fripping Jesus, this song is pretty. "SO MY TIIIIIIIIIME HAS COOOOOOME"
15. Lament (Interlude): Sounds like Italiano to me. Though it could be Espagnol. Translation pls. My knowledge of French doesn't quite make me fluent in all Romance languages.
16. My Legacy: Interesting way to start off the track. There's a feeling of urgency with those starting lines. Sounds like a pleasant, pretty standard Serenity track. Bits of it are quite catchy, but I think I'm still trying to get over "To India's Shores". Holy crap, that was pretty.