{"title":"Therion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA symphonic metal band from Stockholm, Sweden, Therion was founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987\/1988. Initially starting with a death metal sound, the band soon evolved into a more complex and symphonic direction. Over the past two decades, Therion has perfected their unique blend of metal and orchestral\/classical music elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith their exceptional skills, Therion effortlessly combines ripping metal riffs, epic operatic vibes, symphonic elements, and complex multi-layered choirs within their compositions. The current line-up includes Christofer Johnsson on guitar, keyboards, programming, bass and vocals since 1988; Sami Karppinen on drums (1998–2001, 2017–); Nalle Påhlsson on bass (2008–); Thomas Vikström on vocals and flute (2009–); Christian Vidal on guitars (2010–); Lori Lewis on vocals (2011–). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTherion collaborates with talented artists such as Chiara Malvestiti for vocals since 2015; Rosalía Sairem for vocals since 2019; Justin Biggs for bass since 2019. Drawing inspiration from bands like Theatre Of Tragedy, Tristania, Epica and many others [listed above], Therion continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their powerful and intricate musical creations.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"of-darkness","title":"Of Darkness","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe classic 1991 debut album of Swedish death metal from the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eTherion\u003c\/strong\u003e is now available as a mid-price CD featuring the original cover artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSwedish act \u003cstrong\u003eTherion\u003c\/strong\u003e originated in the late 80s, initially out of the band Blitzkrieg, and eventually as a shortened version of the Celtic Frost-inspired Megatherion. Following a couple of demos in 1989 as the style evolved out of an effective and raw mix of thrash\/death, it was Therion's next demo, \"\u003cem\u003eTime Shall Tell\u003c\/em\u003e\", which gained the attention of Deaf\/Peaceville Records. This led to the release of their debut studio album, \"\u003cem\u003eOf Darkness...\u003c\/em\u003e\", in 1991.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eOf Darkness...\u003c\/em\u003e' featured songs that mainman Christofer Johnsson had composed in the 1980s. The album could be defined as an early example of progressive death metal, though it also included influences from other genres, further distinguishing them from other traditional death metal acts of the time, who were often focused solely on brutality. The lyrics were also more politically and socially themed, relating more heavily towards the downfall of the planet and mankind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe album was recorded at the infamous Sunlight Studio in Stockholm (Entombed, Katatonia, Amorphis), with producer Tomas Skogsberg. \u003cstrong\u003eTherion\u003c\/strong\u003e later went on to great success in the symphonic metal field, becoming one of the leading and enduring names of the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis mid-price CD version of '\u003cem\u003eOf Darkness...\u003c\/em\u003e' is presented in a jewel case packaging complete with a booklet, the original sleeve artwork, and an OBI card.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435424026955,"sku":"2018113","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":50435425501515,"sku":"2018117","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Marble","offer_id":57413628723531,"sku":"R5202-4921","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_51198fd1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726903353"},{"product_id":"beyond-sanctorum","title":"Beyond Sanctorum","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of Swedish Death Metal most sought after albums, and rightfully so! Therion’s relatively unknown beginnings as a “standard” Death Metal band seem to be misunderstood by many Metal listeners. Although the general consensus seems to be that \u003ci\u003eBeyond Sanctorum \u003c\/i\u003eis just “straight up Death Metal” while their later releases are neoclassical style, upon closer inspection, the opposite seems to be true. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough \u003ci\u003eBeyond Sanctorum\u003c\/i\u003e uses mainly instruments and performance aspects of standard Death Metal, the songs are already composed in a style more similar to actual classical music. “Future Consciousness” starts the album off with a churning Morbid Angel style intro alternating with dark tremolo melodies and some heavy groove. Other bright spots include “Cthulhu”, featuring deep, cavernous doom sections evoking the famous sunken city, alternating with frantic fast passages. “Enter the Depths of Eternal Darkness” goes from a sludgy opening section to fiery death metal, with some eerie lead guitar moments and is also quite satisfying. “Symphony of the Dead” has an early The Gathering feel, that bursts into Death Metal later on.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe highlight of this album is definitely “The Way”. This is where the bands developing symphonic style is most obvious, so “Theli” fans should definitely hear this song first. We cannot recommend it enough - “The Way” is not only the best song on the album, but one of the best examples of adventurous, progressive (yet uncompromising) Death Metal one is ever likely to hear. This album released around the time when Death Metal was abandoning its primitive roots and going off into more complex territory. For anyone willing to take the time to really listen to music beneath surface level aesthetics, this is actually a surprisingly complex and rewarding listen. This album is light years ahead of their debut.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hammerheart Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50476478529867,"sku":"1148909","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/54cab71b-4d47-47e4-b72c-54b17a934f2f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727460092"},{"product_id":"lepaca-kliffoth","title":"Lepaca Kliffoth","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe dawn of Symphonic Therion glooming at the horizon, yet still drenched in Dark Metal execution! Though it was their fourth full-length, and we had been given a sampling of their symphonic\/gothic direction with “Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas”, \u003ci\u003eLepaca Kliffoth\u003c\/i\u003e might remain the most memorable masterpiece of the band’s career along the follow-up “Theli”. A transitional phase between the band’s Death Metal roots and the hybrid of symphonic, gothic metal which they would carry forward for the rest of their career. This is an extremely dark album. The band retains their fascination with obscure occult magick and prophecies within the lyrics, and the music revolves around killer mid-paced Metal riffs drenched in the vocal libations of Christofer Johnsson. The album starts off strongly with “The Wings of the Hydra”, and from there on the serpent has snaked about your spine. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn addictive piece with an obvious Celtic Frost influence, chanting vocals, simple synth tones and arabesque guitar melodies which evoke the mythical age of the song’s namesake. The album’s ‘hit single’, “The Beauty in Black” is glorious and gothic, it uses a pair of operatic vocalists (male and female), a sort of predecessor to the revolving door of guest musicians the band would use on their later albums. Other excellent tracks include the charging “Riders of Theli”, the crushing doom of “Black” which would have fit almost perfectly on “Into the Pandemonium”. The rest of the album is equally dark and enchanting, with other standouts being the title track and “Evocation of Vovin”. Synthesizers, flutes multiple vocalists, and the core of the band are all clear and precise throughout, yet it still carries a very raw and dark, ominous tone to it which trumps the later studio efforts. This may not be quite as symphonic as many Therion fans demand of their material in recent years, but it clearly marks the point where this band transformed from a innovative Death Metal band into the Gods of Gothic Metal. There are very few parallels to something like this, and it belongs in the collection of any fan of quality Occult Metal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hammerheart Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50476484854091,"sku":"1148906","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3daeeee6-4f8e-45b4-a646-d90d59d041a4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727460168"},{"product_id":"time-shall-tell","title":"Time Shall Tell","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinally available again: the much sought after debut mini-LP by Swedish Therion. Pure old school Death Metal recorded in 1989 at the legendary Sunlight Studio. \"Time Shall Tell\" is the ultimate expression of Therion's Death Metal relevance and this recording is as brutal, sinister and abstract as anything from the early Swedish Death Metal scene. While their Stockholm contemporaries were busy pounding out punk-based riffs, Therion sounded like they were orbiting the gravitational field of a supernatural vortex. The band's Hellhammer\/Celtic Frost influences have been over-matched by their Possessed and Morbid Angel influences, to great effect. This was the band's first experience in the legendary Studio Sunlight. \"Time Shall Tell\" was recorded in December 1989, almost exactly the same time as \"Left Hand Path\". Therion were never derivative of Nihilist\/Entombed, the best parallel is with Grotesque, who recorded (part of) their \"Incantation\" EP in the same studio a few months later. Both bands had an evil, twisted sound with lots of tempo changes and some keyboards. Therion never sounded as wild or extreme as Grotesque, but they were heavier and more disciplined. Both EP's feel like they're tapping into an alternative vision of early Scandinavian Death Metal. These four songs are the most evolved, complex compositions the band had made until that point. In any case, they sound better, noisier and more abrasive in their original form. Skogsberg got it right on his first attempt. The great thing about music like this is its unpredictability. Death Metal as disorientating and dark as this is a rare beast. Rarely does a band express themselves in ways that resemble what Therion did here. \"Time Shall Tell\" is pure in freedom of expression, and thus stands the test of time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Napalm Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50483047956811,"sku":"2025292","price":42.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_5805b307_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727560403"},{"product_id":"leviathan-ii","title":"Leviathan II","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith defiant determination rarely found in a metal band, Therion have always and exclusively done what they deemed right. Never did they stick to a successful formula, never did they release the same album twice, never did they give in to fickle friends like expectation, commercial aspects or trends. Which makes it all the more astounding that now, 35 years deep into their storied career, they actually do something every fan had hoped but never actually thought possible. Enter \u003ci\u003eLeviathan\u003c\/i\u003e, enter a trilogy focusing on all the trademark elements Therion are beloved by countless of metal fans around the globe. After the first part set hearts aflame in 2021, evoking goosebumps galore and reminiscing the glory days of the nineties, the symphonic metal grand-seigneurs continue their surprisingly fan-friendly path with their epic odyssey \u003ci\u003eLeviathan II\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the first part of the trilogy was honouring the classical Therion anthems, \u003ci\u003eLeviathan II\u003c\/i\u003e rekindles the mystic, melancholic aura of their groundbreaking work\u003ci\u003e Vovin\u003c\/i\u003e while part three will focus on the “braver orchestral songs”.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50526426005835,"sku":"1165589","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e5af2c7d-f4d0-4bc8-a085-757abee36ad1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728043347"},{"product_id":"beyond-the-darkest-veil-of-time-zz","title":"Beyond the Darkest Veil of Time","description":"\u003cp\u003eClassic pure old school Death Metal demo’s remastered! First time available on CD and LP! Both classic Therion demo’s and their debut mini LP “Time Shall Tell” collected for the first time on this killer compilation with all audio fully restored! “Paroxysmal Holocaust” is Therion’s first blast of raw and feral aggression. Written on instinct and recorded in a single frantic day, it’s a collision of Thrash fury, doomy darkness, and Death Metal power. No polish, no pretension, ust pure, reckless energy! “Beyond the Darkest Veils of Inner Wickedness” is Therion’s second demo, longer, more professional and more ambitious. On there recordings Therion is pushing beyond Death Metal’s boundaries. The final recordings on this compilation is “Time Shall Tell”, “Time Shall Tell” captures Therion at their rawest; brutal, dark, and unpredictable. These four tracks are packed with sinister riffs, chaotic tempo shifts, and crushing heaviness. Recorded at Studio Sunlight in ’89, it’s pure, unfiltered Death Metal... abrasive, complex, and now available on CD for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hammerheart Records","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51650125955403,"sku":"R8531-8426","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51783076938059,"sku":"R8531-0751","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8715392251115.jpg?v=1744816559"},{"product_id":"con-orquesta-gr","title":"Con Orquesta","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter the two European experiences, THERION mastermind Christofer Johnsson was uncertain whether he would ever bring another orchestra live project back to life. In the end, his decision proved more than worthwhile. Together with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México, the band delivered an incomparable symphonic metal spectacle, enriching classics with new arrangements and expanding their sonic universe in grand, orchestral style. “In the past, our concept was more like THERION going classical, with the band and the symphonic orchestra meeting on an equal basis. Thus, we did a fully orchestral version of one song and it was divided almost 50\/50 between playing THERION songs and classical excerpts being rearranged for band and orchestra”, reflects Johnsson. “This time, however, I wanted to take a different approach. I invited a renowned conductor and composer from Mexico to reinterpret our songs by adding new arrangements and expanding the originals with the orchestra. They also wrote some new intros and small interludes, making this a truly authentic Mexican interpretation of THERION live with orchestra.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Napalm Records","offers":[{"title":"2CD \/ DVD \/ BluRay","offer_id":56245543371083,"sku":"R8065-2529","price":32.88,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/912iqUePRFL._SL1500.jpg?v=1767787687"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/therion.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}