Product Description

Xystus is a Dutch progressive metal band formed in 1999 by drummer Ivo Van Dijk and guitarist/vocalist Bas Dolmans. They enlisted bassist Mark Brekelmans and second guitarist Bob Witsma. Through the course of releasing two albums - 2004's 'Receiving Tom

Track Listing

1. Equilibrio Overture
2. My Song of Creation
3. Traveller
4. Last Breath
5. Divided We Stand
6. Conflict
7. Destiny Unveiled
8. My Time of Need
9. Forever Bound
10. Message
11. Balance Restored
12. God of Symmetry

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #294650 in Music
• Released on: 2008-09-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .15 pounds

Customer Reviews

Delightfully Cheesy
I'll be the first to say that there is nothing revolutionary about this album. The lyrics aren't particularly deep, and the story is your standard fantasy fare.

Despite that, it's a great listen for those who enjoy symphonic metal. Where most metal groups write their music and then add orchestration, Xystus approached this as scoring for an orchestra that has a metal band in it. In fact, the orchestra dominates the sound of the album most of the time. But that is fine, as USConcert, "the oldest symphony orchestra in the Netherlands," performs with clarity and gusto. It's not a particularly heavy album, but there are definitely points where you will find yourself rocking out.

The vocal performances are quite good, especially from Epica's Simone Simons and Michelle Splietelhof, who, as far as I can tell, is a Broadway-style musical theater performer. George Oosthock does a fine job being a grunty Death, and the two male leads, while I can barely tell their voices apart, both perform with good tone and expression.

If you are the kind of person who likes Kamelot and Les Miserables, I think you will enjoy this album a lot.