I remember when this first came out and I was less versed in the band and what they were trying to accomplish, this album was baffling to me. The opening suite of "Altered Beast" / "Alter Me" left me confused as this wasn't the style of music I knew the band to make, and it's all presented as one song suite. I might have even turned it off for the time being and moved on to something else. Coming at this now, it's a hidden gem for me. Not only is the "Alter" suite a major highlight, but the more standalone tracks, if you could call them that, like "Lord of Lightning" and "The Balrog" are major standouts. It all comes together with the Han Tyumi-narrated "Murder of the Universe" suite, which really came into focus when I saw them close their set with it. It felt massive, apocalyptic, frightening, and awesome. Everything they were going for.
Reviewed on Monday, January 9th, 2023, 8:51am.
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