Episode III: The Archangels and the Olympians

Episode III: The Archangels and the Olympians is the third album from Thailand’s Melodius Deite. This band is about grandiose music, whether it be the neo-classical influences heard in the guitars, vocal lines and keyboards or the subject matter (the album title says it all) and they do it well. As with the previous effort, this is going to appeal to fans of Rhapsody and bands of that ilk though the songwriting falls short of the Italians in their prime. It isn’t any better or worse than the last album, just a continuation of the same sound and style. I found the 23+ minute closer "Genesis of the 13 Olympians (War Deities)" extremely hard to sit though, not just because of the length, which is onerous, but it sounds like it was written by a late 19th century experimental composer and feels out of place after the rest of Episode III. At least it is at the end. Symphonic metal fans, this one is for you.