Band: Serenity
Album title: Death & Legacy
Label: Napalm Records
Distributor: Rough Trade Benelux.
Release date: 25/02/2011
Release: CD

Serenity’s  history can be found in the beginning in 2004 in Tyrol/Austria when the band finally found a stable line up in Georg Neuhauser (lead vocals), Thomas Buchberger (lead & rhythm guitars),Simon Holzknecht (bass), Mario Hirzinger (keys, vocals) and Andreas Schipflinger (drums, vocals). And whit this line up ( and some subtle musical changes), the band proved themselves worthy on 2nd of August 2004 when they successfully supported Ronnie James DIO facing an unbelievable raging crowd.
Their third and latest addition to their discography is called Death & Legacy and takes the listener on a history journey about specific famous dead people like Columbus, Casanova, Queen Elizabeth,….., certainly nothing new or original when you realize that bands like Slayer sing about nazi docters.
Asides from the history lessons, the band brings like they say symphonic orchestra metal. The cool thing about this are the bombastic elements that reach cool heights during the album (a bit like movie soundtracks these days, but with a bigger metal influence). Unfortunately the whole thing does get a bit whiny after a song or three. Definitely not bad, but certainly nothing special.

65/100

Jeroen.