ASTERISE – Two Worlds

Back in 2018 guitarist/bassist Bartlomiej Mezynski and young keyboardist (then 18 years old) Dionysis Maniatakos had a goal of creating an album that brought the style of classic Power Metal bands like Stratovarius and Gamma Ray to an original Heavy Metal Opera. The resulting album just released is Asterise – Two Worlds: created with vocalists Arnaud Menard and Terra Atlantica singers Tristan Harders and Katharina Stahl lending their considerable talents to the project.

Heavy Metal Opera

The lyrics are about a person being trapped between two worlds, and souls being locked between both the good and the evil. It tells a story about different states of minds; showing a journey from being lost, being deceived by one’s own desires, searching for home and finally reaching the top of the world, fulfilling one’s true destiny.

Asterise – Two Worlds features standard elements of Power Metal and Symphonic Metal, with some songs standing out from the rest that go an extra step from the norm. Top song for this reviewer that was found most compelling is “Promised Land ” with it’s gritty guitar riffs opening into a multi-faceted composition that goes from straight up Heavy Metal to haunting Prog Metal. Katharina Stahl’s voice is beautiful, weaving in and out of melancholy keyboards.

Final Notes

Asterise – Two Worlds is a solid debut for Bartlomiej Mezynski and Dionysis Maniatakos, showing off their talents for composition as well as personal musical performances. While not everything on the album stands out as new, the overall balance is great, with some definite gems. Overall, a worthwhile release that is worth checking out.

Lineup

Guitars: Bartlomiej Mezynski
Bass: Bartlomiej Mezynski
Keyboard: Dionysis Maniatakos
Orchestrations: Dionysis Maniatakos
Drums: Slawomir Siwak
Guest Guitar Solos: Jimmy Hedlund, Andi Kravljaca, Mateusz Karmelita
Acoustic Guitar: Lukasz Watroba
Guest Choirs: Aleksandra Mezynska, Lea Diekmann
Vocalists: Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Katharina Stahl

Two Worlds – Tracklist

1. Intro
2. High Above the Horizon (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Katharina Stahl)
3. Eternal Flame (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Mateusz Karmelita)
4. Frozen Lake (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Katharina Stahl)
5. Promised Land (feat. Tristan Harders, Katharina Stahl, Andi Kravljaca)
6. Falling Stars (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Jimmy Hedlund)
7. Masked Parade (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard)
8. Top of the World (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard)
9. Funeral of Souls (feat. Tristan Harders, Arnaud Menard, Katharina Stahl)