For those not in the know, Operus started a few years back as a side project from the power metal band Adllivyttumm.

While playing concerts in regional tours around Mexico and studying music at the University of Guadalajara, Oscar Rangel started to compose his own style of music based on his different influences.

After many years of hard work in composing a multitude of songs that surpassed the musical purpose of Adllivyttumm, everything started to make sense. Since the music started to roam into other styles than that of Oscar Rangel’s former band, he decided to leave the limits of the musical instrumentation and style of composition he faced.

He then dedicated his talent and creativity in expressing his thoughts and emotions through his own music and created this project.

Around spring of 2008, Kirsti Heitz appeared in the picture, giving the music all the lyrical power and epic feeling that Oscar always wanted but could never achieve.

In June of 2009 Oscar moved his project to Toronto and started to record the first rough demo under the band name Masquerade at the Opera. However, later in 2011 Masquerade at the Opera changed to Operus and with this change came a bigger production.

In November of 2012, guitarist Brittany Dasilva and drummer Broderick Archer joined the lines of Operus and in October of the following year, Wojtek Sokolowski becomes not only installed as the Director of Internal Operations, but bassist also. That same month, Robin Howe joins on cello and Tara Mills on vocals and flute.

Finally, come February 2014, the band's line-up is solidified with Will Patterson bringing the power and expression needed in the voice and taking the charge of main lyricist.

Thus, come November of 2015, Operus released their debut EP titled "Opus I," whilst J.J. Tartaglia joined the band and took over the drumming duties from Sokolowski.

So, as you can tell, Operus's depth comes from the vast musical experience each member brings with them. From extensive studio time to worldwide performances in both metal bands and Symphonic Chamber Orchestras.

The combined musical knowledge in Operus comes from decades of intense dedication to music with University and Masters Degrees, Royal Conservatory of Music certifications and the first hand experience of performing in North America, Europe and Asia.

And they have now released (October 13th, 2017), via Dark Star Records, their debut full-length album, Cenotaph.

1. 'Silver Spell'
2. 'Steel Against Steel'
3. 'Colosseum'
4. 'Sand of Time'
5. 'Fate's Pantomime'
6. 'Wretched Play'
7. 'Maya & The Wolf'
8. 'La Catedral'
9. 'The Return'

"Cenotaph is a commemoration of writers & poets who never gained the recognition and or lived to see the impact of their work,” explains the band. “The concept and inspiration for the title of the album is taken from a statue in Budapest located opposite of Vajdahunyad Castle, Anonymous, the unknown chronicler at the court of King Béla III."

"The lyrical concepts are not that of any one specific idea but rather a mosaic of different stories and legends which are meant to paint images in the minds of the listener, much like the tales laid by the quills of writers long ago.”

From the very first moments of the chanted opening to 'Silver Spell,' you know you're in for something musically momentous. The fire and the fury, let alone the drumming alone of 'Steel Against Steel' is breathtaking, as are both 'Colosseum' and the mid-tempo, achingly beautiful flow of 'Sands of Time.'

The thunderous 'Fate's Pantomime' is one of my own personal favorites, and that's followed by both the Renaissance-flavored storytelling of yore 'Wretched Play' and the maniacal title track, 'Cenotaph.'

A beautiful, simply stunning 'Maya & The Wolf' shows the world just how to create and compose and deliver such a delicate genre track via pure musical perfection on all fronts, and whilst the pace is picked up again on 'La Catedral,' the album rounds out with the epic seven-minute long, near-operatic journey of 'The Return.'

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