Retrospect: Therion – Leviathan Trilogy (2021-2023)

I discovered Therion in the period between Gothic Kabbalah and Sitra Ahra, with the latter not delivering on the level I wanted it to. It also heralded a period of experimentation for the band, where liking or not Les Fleurs Du Mal and Beloved Antichrist is not the topic of discussion, not when we had to wait 11 long years for a regular Therion album. The fact that there is not any musical alternative out there, was simply salt in the wound. 

After realizing his goal of creating a Metal Opera however, Christofer Johnsson reimbursed us for all those years of waiting, with three consecutive annual releases. We are talking of course about the Leviathan trilogy and the parts that constitute it, namely Leviathan I, II & III. With the trilogy being complete for a reasonable period of time now, there is no better instance than reflecting on this venture. 

Leviathan I:

The truth is that my introduction with the album was not a smooth one, as its first verse was very modern and the last thing I expected to hear. Everything after that, felt like what Therion should sound in the 20s, with the title track being one of my favorite compositions of the group ever! It could not be otherwise, not when Tuonela makes such a grabbing entrance. I wouldn’t say that there is any obvious filler, yet Leviathan had a hard job to do: Evade backlash from anyone wishing an album similar to the up to Secret of the Runes era. From the way I see it, we are dealing with a great record that I enjoy listening to even after three years, so it clearly has passed the test of time with success. 80/100

Leviathan II:

Each part of the trilogy is supposed to have a different sound direction, with the second one ending up more melancholic and dark. In theory, this would end up to be my favorite of the three, but in practice it earned the last place thanks to its weak start. From the middle section where Lucifuge Rofocale resides, there is ample improvement on the songs, yet I cannot say I prefer them over the material of the first part, or any other Therion work to be honest. While I wouldn’t be caught off guard if people told me they like it, I find it unlikely to return here any time soon. 60/100 

Leviathan III:

If I tell you that I was prepared for Ninkigal, that would be a lie and the same applies for III in its entirety. It starts good and only gets better, it has surprises and a superb level of diversity. If it was released after Lemuria/Sirius B, I believe fans would not be disappointed and would welcome it with open arms, which means a lot. If you are interested in my top picks, you will find them in Baccanale, What Was Lost Shall Be Lost No More, and Duende. Top class Symphonic Metal, in a way only Therion can deliver. 85/100

Verdict: Considering we are dealing with a collection of 33 new tracks, the results are impressive. I don’t treat them all equally, that is true, but it would be impossible to conclude otherwise. The happy coincidence is that what I view as weaker additions are placed in the same record, which means I am left with two albums within two years that I truly like. Not bad right? I stand in my opinion that no other band comes close to what Therion compose, so the inheritance value of this trilogy is multiplied. Most importantly, it proves that Johnsson’s artistic vision is still relevant today and will make future album announcements feel as great news!  

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain