Les Fleurs du Mal (Therion album) explained

Les Fleurs du Mal
Type:	studio
Artist:	Therion
Cover:	Therion fleurs 2.jpg
Caption:	Cover art by Saturno Buttò
Released:	28 September 2012
Recorded:	2011–2012
Studio:	Adulruna Studio, Sweden
Genre:	Symphonic metal, ye-ye
Length:	47:56
Language:	French
Label:	Self-publishing
Producer:	Christofer Johnsson
Prev Title:	Sitra Ahra
Prev Year:	2010
Next Title:	Beloved Antichrist
Next Year:	2018

Les Fleurs du Mal is the fifteenth studio album by Swedish symphonic metal band Therion. It is a cover album that was released on 28 September 2012 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band.^[1] Named after the 1857 volume of poetry Les Fleurs du mal, the album is fully sung in French language. It consist of metal cover versions of French pop songs from 1960s and 1970s, mostly from the ye-ye genre.

Production

The album was financed by Christofer Johnsson who considers the album a part of an art project.^{[1] [2]} It was made available for pre-order at Therion's webstore on 2 September 2012.^[3] Johnsson announced that the version sold at concerts with a different cover, would include a bonus track and a poster, and that his "aim is to sign and personally dedicate every single one of them at the shows".^[2]

Personnel

The album was recorded by the following artists:^[4]

Band

• Lori Lewis - soprano and main vocals
• Thomas Vikström - tenor and main vocals
• Christofer Johnsson - rhythm guitars, synthesizers, Hammond organ and programming, of tubular bells, timpani, clarinet, double bass and harp. Arrangements, audio engineer and record producer.
• Christian Vidal - solo guitars, electric sitar
• Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson – 4 and 8 string bass guitars
• Johan Kullberg - drums

Guest musicians

• Snowy Shaw - vocals in "Initials B.B." and "Dis-moi Poupee"
• Mari Paul - vocals on "Mon Amour, Mon Ami"
• Johanna Najla - vocals on "Initials B.B."
• Mattias Olsson - synthesizers, mellotron and percussion on "En Alabama", "Mon Amour, Mon Ami" and "Lilith"
• Mattias Torrel - acoustic guitars on "Mon Amour, Mon Ami" and "La Licorne D'or"
• Stefan Jernståhl - accordion on "Wahala Manitou"^[5]
• Violin

• Anders Åkered

• Fredrik Syberg

• Hanna Ekström

• Isa Holmesund

• Lars Wehlin

• Natalia Migdal
• Cello

• Anna Manell

• Pär Lindqvist
• Horn

• Eva-Tea Lundberg

• Ida Freji

• Johan Ahlin

• Magnus Wretblad
• Trombone

• Kristoffer Siggstedt

• Magnus Werner

• Staffan Findin
• Erik Rodell – oboe
• Rolf Pilotti – flute
• Johan Norin – trumpet

Notes and References

1. Web site: THERION's 'Long-Term Plans' Revealed. 14 September 2012. Blabbermouth. 30 September 2012.
2. Christofer Johnsson: Important news . 14 September 2012, accessed on 6 October 2012.
3. Christofer Johnsson: New album . 2 September 2012, accessed on 6 October 2012.
4. Les Fleurs du Mal . . 2012 . Album notes . End of Light.
5. http://ecover.to/?Module=ViewEntry&ID=664269