Mystfall – “Celestial Vision” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Mystfall, has released their debut album, Celestial Vision, on July 21, 2023, on the Scarlet Records label. There is something unique about hearing a true soprano that makes everything they do that much more impressive. Take Tarja Turunen. She has been both an innovator and the seminal voice, that bands search for; ever since she set all the standards with Nightwish. Well Mystfall has a soprano lead singer, Marialena Trikoglou, and she may be the next ‘Tarja”.

Marialena Trikoglou is a Greek lead vocalist and soprano, that will definitely shake up the female metal pantheon with Celestial Vision. She may already have done that with her solo album Vanity, which was released to critical acclaim back in 2020. However, that was during the time of COVID-19, and it definitely did not get the support it deserved; with cancelled shows, few festivals, and everyone’s fear. Now, with all that behind us, and stages lit with massive concerts, this band is ready to steal the stage.

Athens, Greece’s Mystfall, is made up of: Marialena Trikoglou, on lead vocals; Panagiotis Leontaritis, on guitars; Manos Agouridis, on drums; Kostas Mexis, sings harsh vocals; Antonis Desousis, is the bassist; and Dida Racotoarison, is the keyboardist.

“Resisting Heaven”, is a monumental opening to this album. Like passing through the Argonath, on the way through to the Pillars of the Kings, heading to Gondor. The orchestrations and choirs will grasp your emotions. Powerful sweeping symphonic melodies filled with movie soundtrack level strings, horns, pounding drums and keyboards! Off to a great symphonic voyage. “Celestial Vision”, is the title track, and it continues the cinematic orchestration and resounding choirs, supported by overwhelming drums, piano/keyboards and electric guitars, from the opener. The choir sings, in Latin, “Salva spiritus, Animam a morte, liberate”. Or “Save the spirit, free the soul from death”. Then, our first encounter with Marialena Trikoglou’s voice, “There’s nothing left within as fire fills the skies. Dry realms of woven dreams are falling”. Kostas Mexis, harsh vocals intervene, “The gates will burn. The flames will roar”. Marialena returns, “Voices of the past are calling. The reckoning of time reverses into the endless silence. Define your consciousness. Shout what’s deep inside, silent. What’s after life and death. Lies disguised forever after. The visions of your mind against the endless time. Are calling you to the infinity of life”. Powerful lyrics, sung perfectly without the need to yell, like others in the genre. Marialena Kostas just calmly delivers these vocals as we listen intently. Mexis, returns to deliver harsh vocals, as a challenge, “The gates will open. The thorns will wither!” Marialena retorts, “Omens from the skies are coming. Decipher the code of life. Let the voices guide you into the light!” Over 4 minutes of operatic sound. I almost forget how wonderful a true soprano’s voice sounds. She hits natural, clean, clear, high notes, that absolutely lift this performance higher than most other females in the genre. She really is incredible to hear, through headphones. Wow!

“Centuries”, opens with more, powerful orchestration and electric guitar firepower. Marialena returns, with Lord of the Rings level power vocals; balanced well with sweetness. Authenticity at its best. This track is another perfect stage for her voice, supported well with choirs, drums, and orchestration. Marialena sings, “Rise through the darkness. Revealing the greed of the form. Fight for the freedom of the soul. Fight for the right. Destroy the dark. Fight for the light. Let it shine all around you!” The guitar soloing is amazing. Kostas Mexis’ harsh vocals are the perfect rival to Marialena’s angelic.

“Endless”, picks up the pace, with rocking electric guitars grinding, and Marialena’s angelic vocals shining brightly. She sings, “Into a sea of velvet and dunes of woven greaves. A secret kept unspoken lays a thousand years. From the caravans of the lost. From the sea and the sky. Chased by gods and forgotten worlds in the circles of time. All the world around us, endless, shouting of fear”. Later she sings, “The prophecy on parchments reveals a veil of fear. For all the souls that are lost in war. For all the tears we cried. Lord hear our prayers”. A simply massive soundscape of power, delivering nearly four minutes of unforgettable metal symphonic sound.

“Silence”, is the song that I was waiting for. Most metal bands tend to stay away from the beautiful, soft compositions, I remember from the past. Remember Tarja; who stills sings them, along with her metal firepower. Thankfully, Mystfall is not one of those bands. They know what they have in Marialena’s angelic vocals, and they give you what we all have been waiting to hear! Best song on the album. Marialena soars as the choir and symphonic power supports her. The strings and piano are wonderful company for her voice. She sings, “Soon you’ll feel why I felt this way. Through the silence I rise as I open my eyes. Speak to me , lay your hand on me. Feel my sorrow wandering through the dark. Stay here with me. Make me believe that this is for real. Don’t disappear. Take this pain away from me. Give me a sign and make me believe. Make me believe that this is for real”. Over 5 minutes of spectacular symphonic metal…the way it used to be; and the way it should be performed. Thank you Mystfall!

Marialena shines again on the vocal-driven monster, “Kings of Utopia”. She sings, “We’re born in the flesh of corruption. Just living with the need of greed. Adoring our god from self-distraction. Surrounded by the pleasures that we feed. Passing through pain and sorrow to define our inner light. Right in the days of hunger. Injustice that fills our souls. Around us, all these eyes full of anger. Trying to let us lose control. Nothing is meant to be. Define your life! Carry me into the light to the kingdom of utopia!” Great lyrics and vocals, surrounded by a symphonic soundscape of orchestration, choirs, and power electric guitar chords with pounding drums. This track has one of the best lyrics on the album. “Repenting. Ascending the scale of life. Designing our own dimensions. As hatred absorbs our calmness. Leaves us empty with our naked souls. Oblivion leads us to the light and darkness. Set me free from the lust that consumes our empty lives. Carry me into the light to the kingdom of utopia. Search in the light to find your life, your real kingdom!” Over four minutes of power symphonic metal, the likes of which you probably haven’t heard in a while.

“Moral Compass”, is another of the best songs, on a greatest hits level debut album. Yah, remember, this is a debut, but what a powerful beginning! Marialena sings, “Repent your soul. From the fear and agony. I defy the laws of life. Seek for the light. Don’t fear to fight. From the moral side of life. Don’t fear to fight!” Every word she sings is comforting, and encased in overwhelmingly solid symphonic metal.

“The Balance of Time”, is another of those perfect tracks that allows Marialena’s voice to shine. Deep bass, flutes, strings and orchestration set the stage deftly for her. She sings, “Feel the sorrow within. Leave the pain and wake up from this dream. I`ll be here by your side. I will guide you through the dark. Don`t look back keep your faith in. Create the world that you will live in. Identify your own life. And keep the balance of your time”. Kostas Mexis’ harsh vocals stir a challenge, but Marialena and the choirs will not be discouraged. She sings, “Close your eyes feel the air. Touch the sky and the stars with your hand. Make a new world without pain. Hold the earth in your embrace”. The longest, and another of the best songs on the album, at over 6 minutes.

The closer, “Freedom Path”, is a triumphant rocker full of great orchestration at its opening. The electric guitars and drums are blasting at full volume, as they should be, on a closer. It sounds as if all mayhem has been released. Then it stops, suddenly, and Marialena sings, “Attain to break your fears and see the inception of a new life here. It’s depicted in front of your eyes. Touch your soul and feel it deep inside!” Later, she closes, “Break loose from hate and nothingness. Let your heart decide what’s right or wrong. Relief your inner self from bonds”. The guitar soloing on this track is otherworldly. An over 3-minute closer that puts a final stamp on this stellar album.

This entire album, Celestial Vision, feels like a summons from the Greek Gods, of lore. The album feels like you are sitting in a movie theater watching an epic story unfold before you. Celestial Vision is a wonderful trip through what I believe is the future of metal. Powerful soprano vocals mixed well with cinematic orchestration, power drums and electric guitar. Simply, and boldly, out of this world, theatrical level music sound and production. Thunder from the gods on high. Symphonic metal that will rock your world and your ears. Tender, yet bold messages of securing the best out of this life we live. Marialena Trikoglou’s vocals are the perfect driver for this symphonic celebration. She doesn’t sound strained, delivering the full force of her emotions. Celestial Vision is simply and perfectly balanced metal, delivering both soprano and harsh counter vocals, that tell a story within a song. Please check this out, if you want to hear something different. I know I’m coming back for more. I hope to interview the band soon, for more information on the album and their history.

Track List: