War of Ages (Serenity album)

War of Ages is the fourth full-length studio album by Austrian symphonic metal band Serenity. The album was released on March 22, 2013 in Europe and sometime in March or April in North America and Asia, via Napalm Records.

War of Ages
Studio album by
Serenity
Released22 March 2013
GenreSymphonic metal, power metal
Length61:08
LabelNapalm
ProducerOliver Philipps, Jan Vacik, Thomas Buchberger and Georg Neuhauser
Serenity chronology
Death & Legacy
(2011)		 War of Ages
(2013)		 Codex Atlanticus
(2016)
Singles from War of Ages
  1. "Wings of Madness"
    Released: March 2013

War of Ages continues to show Serenity perfecting their symphonic metal music and still keeping true to their power metal root. It also marks the first album with an additional singer, female vocalist Clémentine Delauney, formerly of Whyzdom, and as it turns out a few years later, her last. This will also mark the final album of longtime guitarist Thomas Buchberger as an official member of Serenity. Both departures were announced via their Official website on February 3, 2015.

The album itself focuses on historical figures and events, just as its predecessor Death & Legacy had done, keeping true to Serenity's historical concept. Characters stories, such as Beethoven, Napoleon, and others have their tales told through Serenity's words and melodic tone.

History

War of Ages is the first Serenity album with an additional singer. Clémentine Delauney, who joined the band officially on January 21, 2013.[1] makes here Serenity debut with soaring vocals, adding a very melodic counterpart to longtime Serenity front man Georg Neuhauser. The band says: "While staying true to all Serenity trademarks such as symphonic orchestras, heavy rhythms, amazing melodic vocals and bombastic choirs, we also brought in some new elements in form of various new sounds in the Serenity universe and a constant implementation of female vocals supporting outstanding singer Georg Neuhauser."[2]

Announcement for official release of the album came via the band's website, stating, "While staying true to all Serenity trademarks such as symphonic orchestras, heavy rhythms, amazing melodic vocals & bombastic choirs we also brought in some new elements in form of various new sounds in the Serenity universe and a constant implementation of female vocals supporting outstanding singer Georg Neuhauser.[3]

The artwork cover for War of Ages was created by Spiros Antoniou,[4] who previously worked with Serenity on their debut album Words Untold & Dreams Unlived. The release was mixed and mastered by Jan Vacik at Dreamsound Studios in München, Germany, with orchestrations and music arrangements done by Oliver Philipps. Both are veterans of previous Serenity albums.

Concept

War of Ages can be considered a concept album of sorts as its tracks are based on historical figures and events in history,[5] coinciding with Serenity's previous album Death & Legacy.

Music Video and Singles

A music video was shot for the lead off single "Wings of Madness" and released on March 28, 2013. The music video shows Clementine in the role of Elizabeth Bathory, and shows her torment of others, alleged throughout history. "Wings of Madness" is War of Ages only single up to this point.

Reception

The album came out to outstanding reviews both across Europe and North America. From Metal Underground, the review states "Many bands attempt to play symphonic metal, but Austria’s Serenity has mastered the art to such a degree that the mere mention of a new release spellbinds fans of the subgenre," and "Serenity takes the symphonic metal world by storm with its 'War of Ages.'"[6]

Angry Metal Guy states, "To Serenity's credit, there isn’t a weak track in the bunch. Although everything sounds like it was lifted from better known contemporaries, it’s all high quality, memorable and very easy to like," and "This is by far Serenity's best release and a very enjoyable dose of symphonic power."[7]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Angry Metal Guy[8]
About.com
Sputnik Music
Metalstorm.net
The Metal Crypt[9]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Wings of Madness"6:01
2."The Art of War"5:15
3."Shining Oasis"5:15
4."For Freedom's Sake"4:42
5."Age of Glory"6:50
6."The Matricide"5:03
7."Symphony for the Quiet"5:06
8."Tannenberg"5:59
9."Legacy of Tudors"5:09
10."Royal Pain"4:51
Limited & Japanese Editions
No.TitleLength
11."Fairytales (piano version)"4:29
12."Love of My Life (Queen Cover)"3:50

Personnel

Production
  • Produced by Oliver Philipps, Jan Vacik, and Serenity.
  • All songs written by Thomas Buchberger, Mario Hirzinger, Georg Neuhauser, and Clémentine Delauney except “Love of My Life”.
  • “Love of My Life” lyrics (Limited Edition only) written by Freddie Mercury of Queen
  • Choir arrangements and recordings by Oliver Philipps
  • Orchestration, keyboards and pianos arrangements & by Oliver Philipps
  • All rhythm, lead, acoustic & classical guitars performed by Thomas Buchberger (except effect guitar on "Tannenberg" by Oliver Philipps)
  • Guitar & bass recordings, drum editing, additional piano recordings, additional editing & preproduction by Thomas Buchberger
  • Bass guitar recordings by Fabio D'Amore & Ivan Moni Bidin, assisted by Simone Zoldan

References
  1. "New Singer Clementine Delauney". 2013-01-21.
  2. "War of Ages 2012 Review". Metal Epic Site.
  3. "War of Ages Release Information". Serenity. 2013-01-14.
  4. "Death & Legacy Release Information". Serenity.
  5. "ECover.to - Song Information from album covers". ecover.to. 2013-05-04.
  6. "Serenity: "War of Ages" Review". 2013-03-17.
  7. "Angry Metal Guy Review". Steel Druhm. 2013-03-18.
  8. "Angry Metal Guy Review". Steel Druhm. 2013-03-18.
  9. "The Metal Crypt Review". 2013-02-20.
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