Mahlen Titan

Francois-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles present a fascinating new interpretation of Mahler's Symphony No.1. It features the first period instrument recording of the 1893-94 version, using a performing edition prepared by musicologists Anna Stoll Knecht and Benjamin Garzia, working in collaboration with Universal Edition. Initially presented as a symphonic poem entitled Titan, the work was met with severe criticism as it developed. This fascinating reconstruction using the composer's Hamburg and Weimar manuscripts testifies to the genius of one of the greatest symphonists of the modern era.

It’s been six years since Greece’s Septicflesh reinvigorated their sound with the epic Communion, and not much has changed. On Titan, one finds the same mixture of cinematic orchestrals, layered growls, and pneumatic drums. What’s lacking at times is cohesion—often, Septicflesh’s polished, overproduced sound feels haphazard and directionless. Still, tracks like “Order of Dracul” and “Prometheus” have all of the grandiosity and elephantine marching riffs needed to have fans of Dimmu Borgir raising their fists