Comments on: Lost Horizon – Awakening the World (reissue)

By: Jeff Kent

Jeff Kent — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:48:54 +0000

And this is what they sounded like POST Lost Horizon…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uozLlvo05Jo

By: Jeff Kent

Jeff Kent — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:41:33 +0000

Look familiar? http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Luciferion/1013

By: Apollyon

Apollyon — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:31:27 +0000

>A terrible and juvenile cd,fit for trendy hot topic kids

Haha, what?!

By: Dave S.

Dave S. — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:13:28 +0000

Some more thoughts, I remember the first and 2nd Avantasia albums and how awesome I thought those were at the time, but this record destroys both of those tenfold.

That whole second verse lyric that you quoted is seriously one of the best metal lyrics ever. So hilarious, yet so true…also empowering is the whole of “Perfect Warrior,” “…I’m a sinner, yet forgive me nothing. I’m a heathen, but forever free!” For example.

This album and the 2nd were so good it really prompted me to pay attention to the other bands that the Lost Horizon members participated in. Lots of average stuff. Luciferion was pretty good death metal…average, but decent. Also average but listenable was Dimmu Borgir clones Against the Plagues. I also like the Crystal Eyes album that Daniel Heiman sang on, Confessions of the Maker…real cheesy, but I can enjoy it, as I can also enjoy the Heed album (The Call). Was disappointed that Heiman ended up landing in a band that sounded like Linkin Park, I forget the name of it.

I think given how this album has stood the test of time, it’s long overdue that these guys all reconcile and re-form. I think the Lost Horizon website is still up and still indicates that they are looking for a singer, but Wojtek is not opposed to Daniel returning.

By: demise

demise — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:15:11 +0000

A terrible and juvenile cd,fit for trendy hot topic kids

By: vugelnox

vugelnox — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:12:33 +0000

love this album, glad to see it won’t be forgotten!

By: Mikko

Mikko — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:10:37 +0000

What Dan said.

I quoted the lyric to refer to the empowering effect that the album has and especially that particular song. ‘Sworn in the Metal Wind’ is when the whole thing just kicks in at full force, filling you with the unhealthy idea of being your own person again and whatnot.

Plus it felt only appropriate after namedropping Manowar whose recent albums have been a farcry compared to their 80s material (and up until Triumph…) It’s as if they’d forgotten who they really are — despite all the showboating and fan service (or perhaps because of it).

A Flame To the Ground Beneath is very, very far from a bad record, but it isn’t as balls out powerful and full of defiance as the debut. It sounds more restrained and subdued despite having a a few truly stand out tracks. But, apples and oranges…

By: Dan Zidar

Dan Zidar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:28:31 +0000

That banter is lyrics from “Sworn In The Metal Wind”.

By: Ace Barker

Ace Barker — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:53:53 +0000

First off – “A Flame To The Ground Beneath” is vastly superior in every way. B.What in Odin’s name is the mid-review “If you once tasted treason from a female – leave that! banter all about????

By: Mikko

Mikko — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:58:19 +0000

‘Seasoned veterans’ – a perfect way to put it. The maturity of the songwriting and the perfect execution were probably the most surprising aspects with the debut.

Not sure what happened to the band after the 2nd album, but in my uneducated guess, power metal’s overall decline and the public’s shifting interest must have contributed to their downfall. From the top of my head, can’t really think of any truly mind blowing or truly lasting power metal albums that came around 2004-2007.

Oh, and Falconer released their debut as well in 2001. Dug that one as well, albeit it doesn’t seem to get the same love from others.

By: Dan Zidar

Dan Zidar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:46:29 +0000

That’s it…. Lost Horizon came out of the gate sounding like seasoned veterans at their peak. Plus, they were actually powerful. Too often that’s what is lacking in power metal…..the power part.

By: Mikko

Mikko — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:34:28 +0000

2001 must have been some sort of a pinnacle for power metal, considering Tobias Sammett released Avantasia’s first Metal Opera back then too. That’s another good album, but falls short of the power that ‘Awakening the World’ contains. I suppose of the more recent releases, Sabaton’s ‘The Art of War’ has offered similar, exciting experiences.

By: Dan Zidar

Dan Zidar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:53:26 +0000

Nice review Mikko. I never quite understood why Lost Horizon never achieved top-tier status. Such an amazing band. Also, a little side note, 2 of the guys came from Luciferion (a mediocre Swedish death metal band).

By: Mikko

Mikko — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:36:19 +0000

Apologies — I merely had to save some hype for my upcoming reviews (whatever they might be).

By: Dave S.

Dave S. — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:19:59 +0000

Only faults with your review are…
this is THE greatest power metal album of all time, not merely one of the greatest, and the follow up Flame to the Ground Beneath, while certainly not at the same level (less high octane, more introspective), is far from a disappointment and equally worthy of purchase as it’s also being re-released.

Otherwise, thank you for a fitting tribute to this insanely awesome metal album that has stood the test of time. A must-hear, must-own release. Pity this band couldn’t hold it together, they could’ve and would’ve been the next Priest or Maiden, really.