HEART HEALER – The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson

Magnus Opus

Heart Healer – The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson is the newest project created, overseen and directed by Serafino Perugino, President and A&R director of Frontiers Records. The ambitious new album by Swedish guitarist Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, Kiske/Somerville, The Ferrymen, Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall) is a Heavy Metal Opera featuring seven vocalists playing different characters to weave an epic tale. Playing those roles is a strong mix of up-and-coming talent and established artists including Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires, Sascha Paeth’s Masters Of Ceremony, Avantasia), Netta Laurenne (Smackbound, Laurenne/Louhimo), Youmna Jreissati (Ostura), Ailyn (Her Chariot Awaits, ex-Sirenia), Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast), Margarita Monet (Edge of Paradise), and Anette Olzon (The Dark Element, ex-Nightwish).

Big Bold Production

In Karlsson’s words, “my interest for orchestral music has been growing increasingly during the years. I wanted to mix the epic and dramatic orchestral sound with Metal and produce something without any limits and rules. At the end of 2019, I started to work on ideas and tried new sounds and arrangements with the goal of creating something dramatic, epic, and beautiful. This is easily my biggest and most demanding work ever. First the music with big arrangements and orchestra, then all the singers and the need to find the right parts for everyone to make it as good as possible. Finally, mixing it all together in an interesting story about the Heart Healer“.

Top Tracks

Magnus Karlsson pushes himself to the limit playing all guitars, bass and keyboards while enlisting world class orchestra musicians Daniel Tengberg on the cello and Erika Sävström Engman playing violin to add that true symphonic sound. Symphonic Metal fans will find something to love on every tune, as for this reviewer the top tracks include “Come Out Of The Shadows”, the epic “Into The Unknown” and “Evil’s Around The Corner”.

Final Notes

Magnus Karlsson has created quite an achievement in Heart Healer. The melodies and choruses are anthemic and catchy, the musicianship is top-notch and the production a definite 10. It’s a real accomplishment to unite with so many female vocalists from the Frontiers label to create a true Metal Opera, and Magnus Karlsson has pulled it off with flying colors. A definite must for fans of Symphonic and Melodic Metal, so add it to your collection today!

Lineup

Magnus Karlsson – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Anders Köllerfors – Drums
Daniel Tengberg – Cello
Erika Sävström Engman – Violin

The Metal Opera by Magnus Karlsson – Tracklist

1.    Awake
2.    Come Out Of The Shadows
3.    Who Can Stand All Alone
4.    Back To Life
5.    Into The Unknown
6.    When The Fire Burns Out
7.    Evil’s Around The Corner
8.    Mesmerized
9.    Weaker
10.    This Is Not The End