Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas
Therion · 1993
37 min · 11 tracks · symphonic metal
Orchestral arrangements intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating a majestic yet haunting atmosphere that defines symphonic metal's evolution.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Black Rose (Covered With Tears, Blood and Ice) — This track exemplifies the album’s duality, merging melodic vocals with dark thematic content, showcasing the band's early embrace of symphonic elements.
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Dawn of Perishness — With its sweeping orchestral arrangement and dramatic crescendos, this song highlights the album's theatrical flair and emotional depth, making it a standout piece.
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Ho Drakon Ho Megas, Act 1: The Dragon Throne — This opening act sets the stage for the epic narrative of the album, combining orchestration with heavy metal in a way that effectively foreshadows the band's future direction.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends orchestral and metal elements, marking a significant step in the evolution of symphonic metal.
What we noticed
- The album features orchestral arrangements that alternate with heavy guitar riffs, creating a dynamic interplay between classical and metal elements.
- Several tracks incorporate choral elements, enhancing the grandiosity of the sound and contributing to the symphonic atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with peaks
- wave-like pacing for immersion
- operatic vocals and heavy instrumentation
- dark narratives that captivate
- theatrical elements for dramatic flair
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Therion's shift to symphonic metal, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- mythological narratives· orchestral darkness· symphonic evolution
- Career context
- By 1993, Therion was transitioning from its early death metal roots to a more orchestral sound. 'Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas' marked their third studio album and the beginning of their exploration into symphonic elements that would later define their signature style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Within Temptation
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Baal Reginon 2:10
- 2 Dark Princess Naamah 4:18
- 3 A Black Rose (Covered With Tears, Blood and Ice) 4:00
- 4 Symphoni Drakonis Inferni 2:32
- 5 Dawn of Perishness 5:51
- 6 The Eye of Eclipse 5:00
- 7 The Ritualdance of the Yezidis 2:07
- 8 Powerdance 3:05
- 9 Procreation of Eternity 4:04
- 10 Ho Drakon Ho Megas, Act 1: The Dragon Throne 1:26
- 11 Ho Drakon Ho Megas, Act 2: Fire and Ecstasy 2:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Angels Fall First
Nightwish
Shares orchestral arrangements and operatic vocals, creating a similarly grand emotional landscape.
The Phantom Agony
Epica
Combines symphonic elements with heavy riffs, echoing the majestic yet dark atmosphere of Therion.
Enter
Within Temptation
Features lush orchestration and a haunting vocal style, resonating with the dramatic tones of Therion's work.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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