Steve Hackett & The Underworld Orchestra

Artist/ Band: Steve Hackett & The Underworld Orchestra
Title: Metamorpheus
Label: Camino Records/ InsideOut Music
Year of Release: 2005
Artist/ Band Link (click for details/ ordering)

The Review:

Steve Hackett’s latest CD is called Metamorpheus, a classical music based instrumental concept album based on Orpheus. This a different direction than his last release but to fans of Steve’s, this shouldn’t deter them one bit. I was exposed to classical music early on so to hear one of my favorite guitarists ever goes and does a classical music album, I was happily surprised. I’m sure Steve could have played it safe and released another progressive rock album but I think he likes to keep his fans guessing as to what he’ll d next and that’s fine by me.

Metamorpheus basically is a musical portrayal of the tragic love between Orpheus and Eurydice. For those unaware of the story, Steve has a brief story in the booklet for each song, tracing Orpheus’ journey from birth to death to immortality in the constellation of Lyra.

Since this is a classical music album, I don’t expect it to be played as often as his other works but it’s nice to have a contrast of styles to fall upon when the time is right to play this album again, in the near future. Having said that, I would recommend this album to fans of beautiful classical music as well as the rest of the fantastic work that comes from the talented Mr. Steve Hackett.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on July 19th, 2005

Tracks:

1. The Pool Of Memory And The Pool Of Forgetfulness

2. To Earth Like Rain

3. Song To Nature

4. One Real Flower

5. The Dancing Ground

6. That Vast Life

7. Eurydice Taken

8. Charon's Call

9. Cerebus At Peace

10. Under The World ~ Orpheus Looks Back

11. The Broken Lyre

12. Severance

13. Elegy

14. Return To The Realm Of Eternal Renewal

15. Lyra

Reviewed Discography

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