In Harmonia Universali

The only thing worst than a bad record is a bad record by a major band. I don't know if Solefald can be called "major band", but they are surely well known and estimated by the fans of many heavy kinds of music.
If we can call Solefald a major band than this is the worst record by a major band since Youthanasia by Megadeth.

For the ones who followed a bit of Solefald history, you can think about this record as Omnipolis (from Neonism) played for about 60 minutes. Someone could ask: "What's the problem with that? Omnipolis was a good song". Indeed it is, inside Neonism. More "normal" than other songs, quite regular, without surprises, but a good song inside a record with so many weird but great songs. Now try to ask yourself what you get if you put together 10 average songs. The problem is that what you get is not 10 good-but-not-great songs, but a killer boredom!
Geniality with harness could be good (I don't think it is, but may be it could), but here it sounds more like calculated extravaganza, which often is (and this is the case) a shame, a waste of time and very boring. I tried to listen to this record several times, but I always gave up yawning. I tried to skip the first few songs looking for something good at the end without being too much tired: nothing!

For the ones who have never listened to Solefald, DO NOT START HERE!
This is their worst album up to now (Red for fire is already out when I am writing and is better than this one), and I hope it will remain their worst album ever.
If you want to listen to Solefald as they sound now, try Pills. If you are prepared to something weird but absolutely great and outside any classification try The linear scaffold (their masterpiece until now, and probably ever), but stay away from In harmonia universali unless you need something to help you sleep.

One last note: I think the production is very bad: everything sounds ok, apparently, but even the heaviest parts seems to be totally harmless and smooth. And I think this is one of the worst thing that can happen in a metal record. This is expecially severe for Solefald, who can claim a balck metal background.

If you're looking for an album which you can just play in the background while you do your homework, this isn't it. This album completely sucks you in. The guitar is addictingly catchy, as are the two types of vocals - clean and rather garggly - which are usually sung/growled in unison, making for a very interesting listen.
There are several amazing things on this album, not least of which is the inspired working-in of what sounds like a church organ, as well as rare saxophone solos. You'd think a saxophone in metal would sound terrible, as if they were just inserting it in a pitiful attempt to sound progressive, but it doesn't. It's completely enthralling, and you never want it to end.
The lyrics also are quite diverse, going from satire to romance to references to Norse and Greek mythology.
The production is perfect as well, with every intrument audible and distinct.

This is a genius, unique album which should appeal to everyone, no matter what your tastes.

Hailing from Norway, a band I'd never heard of up until a good three weeks ago. At that time, I was looking for new music, and a friend suggested Solefald, saying that I might like them, comparing them in ways to later Arcturus or other avantgarde post-black bands.

That title fits perfect. An avantgarde post-black band. First thing I think of, "Slower, catchier, more tranquil BM." It kind of fits, too. As stated in the previous review, everything seems classy, kind of. More or less, that's true.

So now, we've got a melodic post-black band. Let's leave all titles except "awesome fucking band" at the door PLZ.

Solefald make use of stuff I honestly haven't seen in metal before. Go listen to Nutrisco Et Extingo. Right, :28 in, when it kind of busts in, the operatic vocals. That's not really it. Later you can hear horns and shit. I mean, it's not THAT different, but it seems.. slightly weird. But it works too well to complain. The lead vocals are.... incredibly unique. This guy sounds like a grumpy old man, almost. The backing vox are really tranquil, serene.. it's just so calming at times.

Piano and keyboard is used for flare, and it really works. It creates a creepy little calm atmosphere.. with slow guitar riffs, the ever-awesome vocals and backing vox.. catchy drumming, not over the top... and that's one song.

It changes alot through the album. Like, the next track, Mont Blanc Providence Crow, is alot faster. The vocals aren't as calming, but this tune really calls for something else. The keyboards are catchy, and this song is one of only a couple on the album with "heavier" drumming.

And taht should be said now. This album's really not that fast. It's not for your average black metal fan. Everything is more controlled, and then the production is beautiful, every instrument can be told apart, the bass is AUDIBLE.. etc. If you're expecting satanic lyrics done by black vox with pillows over their amps.. go back and listen to Gorgoroth and fuck the fuck off. This isn't for you.

No two songs are the same. Something can appeal to everyone, really. Everything is too different from everything else. No filler to be seen here, folks, just awesome metal.

For anyone who really has tolerance for something new and cool, DEFINATLY pick this up. Nothing choppy on the record, let alone the fact... JUST THE DAMN VOCALS! They're really unique. I don't care, you've just got to hear them utilized in this music.

All in all, it comes together with.. weirder lyrics, but there are no filler tracks. Everything is just purely awesome. Everything feels tightly put together and thought out. I can't describe it. Get the goddamn album.

I'm not too familiar with this band, but when I happened to run across them on this site and noticed them being labelled as post-black/avant-garde metal, let's just say I was a little interested. I'm already very intrigued by anything avant-garde, and when I saw them labelled as post-black metal in addition, I was overwhelmed with curiosity. After reading that, I couldn't help but ask myself if comparisons to Meshuggah and other post-thrash bands could be made with this disc. Could post-black metal have odd time signature changes, polyrhythms, and such? After hearing In Harmonia Universali, I'd have to say no, although not all the rhythms sound blatantly straightforward.
Like I said before, I'm not very familiar with this band, but the first thing I noticed about this album is that Cornelius's harsh, trOO black metal shrieking is gone on this album. I noticed it on a track I downloaded from Pills Against the Ageless Ills, but I don't really notice it much here. That is a little open for debate though, for his vox do get a little harsh here and there. What's not gone though is Cornelius's alluring, talkative vocal stylings and those godly background choral vocals.
Often, he honestly sounds like a grumpy old man who just woke up and hasn't had his morning coffee yet. It's quite unique. You'll just have to hear it for yourself. Heh, I bet he and Demilich's vocalist would get along VERY well. They both love to talk when they sing.
The background vocals have an exotic Italian/Mexican motif to them sometimes. Don't take my word for it because I'm strange in my perceptions of things, but IMO, I see similarities in the background vocals here and authentic ethnic Italian/Mexican singing. Anyway, they are very suave and passionate.
Black metal purists will definitely be turned off by In Harmonia because it's not very raw and unholy sounding. Blastbeats are few and far between and the main focus here is melody. People with open minds will appreciate the abundant melody to be found on this disc, though. The synthesizers/keyboards on this album are amazingly CLEAR and the guitars often whip up a good, crunchy speed to them. I doubt you'll be headbanging to it, but you're likely to be entranced by it.
Perhaps the most prominent aspect of this album is that's sung in FOUR LANGUAGES! Can you believe it? That's one of the main reasons why I bought this gem at my local music store(I'm surprised this album was available there. Their selection is uncanny). I believe it's sung in English, French, German, and Norwegian, but I could be wrong. Who cares if I'm wrong or not, though. This is truly unprecedented I'd say. Wow, I feel like an elite socialite listening to an album of this calibre. Who knows why they decided to make this multi-lingual, but I'm not complaining because I appreciate creativity in any form or fashion.
Overall, this is a highly enjoyable and seductive disc. Yes, this album can sound sexy at times. This is truly a work of art. Buy now.