Conspiracy in Mind

Communic | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nuclear Blast Americ
• ASIN: B00074050E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,804 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Life after Scariot, February 8, 2006

By 

Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Conspiracy in Mind (Audio CD)

After going through Conspiracy in Mind a few times, I was stunned as to how much similar the vocalist sounds like the singer on Scariot's amazing work Strange to Numbers. I was rather late on giving Communic's debut a listen and, based on numerous reviews I'd read, I always believed he sounded like Nevermore's Warrel Dane. Well, the comparison is by no means off. However, I had no idea that the singer was Oddleif Stensland, the same guy who was in Scariot a couple of years ago. Communic is mostly Stensland's project, as he plays all guitars, sings, and is responsible for much of the songwriting as well.

The album spans roughly an hour of playing time and contains seven tracks, all of which are rather lengthy. Much like some other Scandinavian power metal bands, the production on Conspiracy in Mind could immediately be pinpointed as a classic Jacob Hansen work. The somewhat compressed and unnecessarily polished guitar tone does detract from the listening experience. The album is simply too clean and sterile given its dark lyrical and musical content. Some of the acoustic passages, such as the one on the almost 10-minute "They Feed on Our Fear", lack dynamics we've come to hear on any Kernon or Sneap produced Nevermore album. While Stensland is more of an upper register singer than Warrel Dane, some of his phrasing and delivery are definitely taken out of the Dane textbook. Though quite heavy in parts, mainly due to the rampaging bass and pounding drums (by another former Scariot member Tor Atle Andersen), I'd classify at least five out of the seven tracks as midtempo. Nothing too flashy or impossibly fast on this disc, as the writing dictates fluctuating rhythmic intensity and various melodic segments. "Communication Sublime" is one of the exceptions, being quite intricate in its arrangement and guitar playing, especially in the beginning. The bass underlying Stensland's guitar keeps the track intact while rendering it a groovy vibe. The emotional power ballad "Distance" offers a long acoustic intro and then a sudden foray into a breathing lead solo before vocals and multi-track rhythms surround the piece. Great screams echo in the distance, as cymbals sparkle and emphasize atmosphere. Perhaps the song that displays Stensland's most emotive and powerful delivery is "Ocean Bed". There is something for every member here. A great bass solo, and some of the finest a capella singing from Stensland in his career.

Conspiracy in Mind is a strong debut, but something inside me says, the best from Communic is yet to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Power and Melody Unite, August 4, 2005

By 

CellFreak (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspiracy in Mind (Audio CD)

Ever listen to a CD (particular using headphones) that left you kind of stunned in those first moments of silence after the last song ends? Communic's Conspiracy in Mind is just such a CD.

If I were to attempt to classify the music I would probably have to land on Melodic US Power Metal. European Power metal utilizes the double bass, higher pitched singing, and fantasy/medieval based lyrics. US Power Metal is more focused on aggressive guitars, varies the drumming between double bass and slower tempo rhythms, and tends to have more aggressive vocals. The Melodic qualifier means that Communic infuses the aggressiveness with a progressive-edged harmony interspersed throughout the songs. The resultant blend is breath-taking at times. Every time you listen to the album, the more you notice the complexity, the more you appreciate it, and the longer that pause after the last song ends.

Each song is a blend of harmony, power, complex structures, and time changes without going too far into the prog realm. The vocals cover a wide range but always match the song and are never offensive. In other words, it is a perfect hybrid that should appeal to fans of both Power and Prog metal (but not Power-Prog since those bands are usually much more frantically paced). These guys are a talent that doesn't come along too often.

It is difficult to give a song by song review since they would begin to sound alike (though the songs themselves do not sound alike). A variety of power, melody, and intelligent lyrics with superb musicianship. I rated each song except Distance as a 5 star on my iPod (for me a 4 star is a great song and 5 star is reserved for songs that take great to the next level - only Blind Guardian, Manticora, Wuthering Heights, After Forever, Iced Earth (less Glorious Burden), and Into Eternity have more than a handful and I have a LOT of bands in my collection). The Distance is a slower paced song that never really varies from the base sound. It is almost out of place in its singularity of sound.

If you like Nevermore's This Godless Endeavor or Mercenary's 11 Dreams - definitely check this one out.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nevermore of Norway!, July 7, 2006

By 

Logan Peterson "The Wichitan Metalhead" (Wichita, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conspiracy in Mind (Audio CD)

After listening to this album I couldnt wait for the release of Visual Waves of Decay. Both albums are equally great and powerful. If you like one you're bound to like the other. And if you like Nevermore, Soilwork, Beyond Fear, Dream Theater, and Evergrey then you'll really dig these guys. No disappointments here. I doubt there will be for you either. Give them a shot. Its definitly worth your time and money.