Customer Reviews

Grand Illusion

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought their last effort was kinda soft and lacked enought thought to be a good CD. So I was hoping this one would do the trick. GREAT CD!! They sort of stray from the Heavy guitar sound that carried them in earlier efforts and go for a Dream Theatre keyboard/sound with heavy guitar. I personally think the keyboard addition gives the sound a little more melody and adds some spice. As for the previous reviewers comments on no melody within the choruses or songs, I didn't find it to be true. This is a solid CD with some minor changes that any power/melodic METAL fan will love!! I found it to be a back to the basics CD. everything is simple and to the point! Sometimes you just need a catchy riff some solid drums and a good tune. This CD delivers that. Nothing elaborate, just straight ahead METAL!!!!! ROCKON!!

Once NOCTURNAL RITES decided to become a serious power metal band (SHADOWLAND CD), they have not looked back. This latest effort is a fitting release that continues their powerfully catchy BON-JOVI meets MASTERPLAN type of sound. They definetly have a sound all their own but I think thats a decent way to describe them. Every CD since SHADOWLAND has been a true POWER METAL masterpiece. This one is no exception.

This is one of the Best Melodic Power Metal CD's i've ever heard! These Guy's have really developed a formula for writing "Sing-a-Long" Chorus'es! Not a weak song here. My only complaint is i would have liked to hear more changes of tempo, like their older CD's. Most of the songs are very close to that same tempo. I do strongly recomend finding the "Import" version from Century Media. It comes with a "Bonus" DVD(All-region!) that has the last 4 Videos, + the obligitory "in the the Recording Studio footage. But the Icing on the Cake is the Behind-the-scenes footage from the "Demon's of the Opera Tour" they did with the Full Orchestra! I hope some day they release a CD or DVD of that performance cause it sounded AMAZING! "How do you make Power Metal even MORE powerful?" you add an Orchestra! Check The End Records for the DVD version, if Amazon doesn't pick it up, thats where i found it.

Very catchy, ambitious and intelligent lyrics. This guys are awesome, with tight musicianship and perfect vocals. My version is without de DVD, and i'm a little dissapointed about that, just for this. Recommended if you like Gamma Ray and Primal Fear.

Just the right amount of heaviness, riffs, and catchiness. I bought this and was disappointed that it didn't have the bonus DVD, so take the other reviewer's advice and find the one with the bonus DVD.

Grand Illusion is the 7th album by Swedish melodic metal band "Nocturnal Rites" originally released in 2005. This album was my introduction to the band and their sound. As with most Scandinavian bands of this genre, `Nocturnal Rites' benefit from incredible album production that further elevates the compositions and performances on `Grand Illusion'. Undeniably the album's main advantages are the collection of huge choruses and the consistency of musical direction throughout the track list. The sound of "Nocturnal Rites" is built on thick rhythm guitar, shredding solos, robust rhythm section with regular double bass attack, while the keyboards are carrying the majority of instrumental melodic lines of the album. Yet, above all, it is the vocal performance that ultimately gives the album its character-making it distinct and memorable;

For that matter it mainly comes down to the incredible abilities of lead singer Jonny Lindqvist who proves himself capable of carrying any melodic line (no matter how long or short) while communicating it to the listener in the most passionate and intense way. The line up also features rhythm guitarist Fredrik Mannberg, lead guitarist Nils Norberg, bassist Nils Eriksson and drummer Owe Lingvall.

Having lived with the album a couple of years, one happily reaches the conclusion that the material on "Grand Illusion" is qualified to stand the test of time. It simply goes back to the choruses: even after having played the album to your content, choruses tend to storm the listener's mind time and time again drawing you once again to the album. For that matter, I just came home today humming the chorus of "End of a rope" which led me to playing the album again after almost a year, subsequently writing this review. Other very memorable moents include "Fools never die", "Never trust", "Something undefined" and "Never ending". If you enjoy hugely produced melodic metal in the style of "Leverage", then "Nocturnal Rites- Grand Illusion" is an ideal purchase.

Product arrived in timely manner and in great shape. I would use seller again.

I discovered this band on [...] and Im glad I did. And this is their BEST cd. Perfect melodic power metal, fav songs " Im still alive" and "Cuts like a knife" A Must have for any power metal fan.

If you like swedish melodic heavy metal,this is a great album.They are great musicians. check it out.

From the opening song to the last track, this is the best effort by Nocturnal Rites I've ever heard.