Therion
Celebrators of Becoming
Nuclear Blast
Mega, Mega Therion
What better way to look back on a solid, nearly 20-year career than by giving fans an absolute treasure trove of video archives to binge on to their hearts’ content? That’s exactly what Therion have done with this lavish six-disc set. Comprised of four DVDs and two CDs, Celebrators of Becoming offers a dizzying, yet neatly organized array of live footage and archival material spanning their career from a humble death metal band to their current incarnation as symphonic metal innovators.
The centerpiece is a complete, two-hour live set filmed and recorded in Mexico City in August 2004, presented on one DVD and in audio form on the two CDs. For all the bombast (nine members onstage, including formidable mezzo soprano Karin Fjellander), it’s a lively, unpretentious performance in front of a very receptive young crowd, as guitarist/founder Christofer Johnsson holds court, lead guitarist Kristian Niemann showcases his solo prowess, and vocalist Mats Levén howls away with his tremendous power metal pipes.
The world tour footage on disc two is fun, highlighted by a sojourn in Bolivia involving frigid weather, oxygen tanks and police escorts, while the third disc includes, among other nuggets, a spirited set at Wacken in 2001 and a fascinating, detailed look at the recording of the sprawling Lemuria/Sirius B albums. However, the best of the entire lot is the fourth disc, offering a detailed home video timeline of Therion’s evolution from 1989 to 2001, with literally dozens of recorded performances. A superb, exhaustive collection, and a guaranteed fan pleaser. —Adrien Begrand
