Customer Reviews

In Your Multitude

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Conception's incredible album "Flow" blew me away, so naturally the next step was getting the rest of their catalogue. Compared to Flow, In Your Multitude is heavier sonically but lighter in terms of song diversity, and I don't like it as much, but insofar as European progmetal goes, this is a solid album.

The band draws from a variety of influences. However, this is not all out progressive music...it's metal a progressive flavor. Guitarist Tore Ostby's technique is heavy, fast and clean, although the agressive riffs sometimes take a backseat to more florid pieces. Songs run the aural gamut, from beautiful acoustic and classical guitar solos to vicious, searing guitar riffs. The drummer? Topnotch...he's true percussionist. The bassist is very tight; sometimes the songs leave him to establish the rhythm and he fares very well. The most notable aspect of Conception is their vocalist Roy S. Khan. In a world where most European metal singers plague their music with overbearing accents and terrible pronunciation, Khan stands head and shoulders above his peers. His accent is prominent, but it never compromises his pronunciation...it actually complements his sound. His unique sound is decidedly refreshing, and his emotional power -- combined with his excellent lyrics -- are superlative. Oh yeah, those lyrics...they're good, really good. The band examines interesting themes, like the lugubrious "Santuary" or the insightful "A Million Gods." Good stuff...it proves that "metal" and "intelligence" can exist in the same sentence.

Get all of Conception's CDs...they f'ing rule. The band's catalogue also includes "The Last Sunset" which isn't available here at Amazon, but if you like these guys its worth picking up.

Conception from Norway is something of an oddity, they are young, they are creative and finally and most importantly they are skilled... a combination which isn't too common today.

The most notable thing about Conception in my opinion is Roy Khan, the vocalist. I can't really think of any other rock vocalist with his reach, control and timbre of voice, perhaps if you mix the likes of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson in his prime, Queensrÿche's Geoff Tate and Fates Warning's Ray Alder, taking the best from each of them... in short, one of the very best rock vocalists I have ever heard.

Tore Østby, the guitar player also makes quite an impression, very skilled, tight, fast, precise as well as very.. emotional. I simply love his rythm playing where he mixes solo elements, effectively playing more than one role at the same time and fullfilling both perfectly. The rest of the band is very talented as well, Arve Heimdal on drums being a 'true' progressive metal drummer, tight and precise.

The music can be characterized as progressive melodic rock metal, depending upon what particular song you listen too, some are of the balad variety, others are more hardhitting metallized. Their musical influences are many, they make true progressive rock/metal in the sense that they apparently do whatever they want to do, as long as it's sounds true... mixing elements from classical, flamenco, folk, blues... and making it all fit nicely in a rock/metal package. While I don't think this is their best album, it's still good enough to deserve 5 stars.

This is an album that belongs in any serious prog rock/metal listener's collection - along with the band's other albums, Last Sunset, Parallel Minds and Flow... on par with 'rÿche's Operation Mindcrime, Fates' Perfect Symmetry and A Pleasant Shade Of Gray and Dream Theater's Images and Words... better get them soon, the band is no more... and never got the recognition it deserved.

Conception was one of the best, and sadly over-looked even by underground metal standards, metal bands of the 90's. They released 4 masterpieces in the 90's on the strength of creative songwriting and 4 amazing musicians, including smooth and expressive vocalist Roy Khan (now of Kamelot) and Flamenco-influenced guitar virtuoso Tore Ostby (now of ARK). Also, drummer Arve Heimdal and bassist Ingar Amlien contribute absolutely beautiful performances. They would be pushed to the background with simplified performances on the final album "Flow", but here the bass often creates the primary rhythm of the songs with its technical yet tuneful playing, and the drumming is truly progressive, infusing a sultry Latin essence and playing melodically, almost creating percussive songs within songs. The music here is top-notch melodic metal with some progressive moves, a slight thrash influence and a Latin influence that creeps up every now and then. The vocals are mid-ranged, passionate, silky and powerful. The songs are just really well written. They are deep compositions that allow the performers to tax their abilities, but also allow the songs to breathe and flow.

"Under a Mourning Star" opens with an extremely heavy and fast riff. This is a fist-pumping, headbanging, adrenaline rush. The chorus soars and features some beautiful harmonized vocals. The solo section is not only interesting for Tore Ostby's aggressive guitar solo but also for the staccato riffing behind it. "Can you help me? Under the mourning star! All I dream of... are the thoughts I can't expell."

"Missionary Man" is a mid-tempo cruncher. Ostby supplies a descending verse riff before the chorus kicks in with lush multi-layered vocals. This is a song about the dark side of religion. "I'm a missionary man. Advocate for a brand new order. I will find the promised land. in the souls I cut wide open."

"Retrospect" opens with another melodic, technical riff. This song is about a man who is near the end of his life. "In cover of a dazzling fullmoon. I pace the hall. Rendered harmless by the memory of what I used to be." This song features some swirling keyboards adding atmosphere to this sorrowful song.

"Guilt" is a rather slow, sludgey song that I really don't care for much. Conception always includes 1 song of this style on their albums. It really reminds me of slower Soundgarden.

"Sanctuary" is a gentle acoustic ballad. Roy Khan contributes a fragile, sad vocal performance. "The song you know so well encourages to flee. The answer to your tears lingers in the colors you can't see. Each word a whisper. The more they say you'll find. It's so easy to hide in the dark." Tore Ostby provides a weeping Flamenco guitar solo. This song just permeates with darkness and fear.

"A Million Gods" is the epic of the album. This song features diverse transitions, immaculate melodies and standout performances by all musicians. Ostby's opening solo is contrasted with the opening verse of the bass establishing the rhythm with Hammond organ in support. Roy Khan sounds exceptionally smooth and strong. This song has a very Latin flair to it, in the percussion and guitar. The song really hits the stratosphere during the extended instrumental passages. It starts off with some funky keyboards doubled by the bass. Then enters a searing Latin-tinged metal guitar solo. Tore shows of his incredible technique and style, and provides compelling melodies. Then comes the most amazing part of the song... Latin flavored ride cymbal provided the background for an absolutely jaw-dropping acoustic Flamenco solo! Then enters a short drum solo and a keyboard solo. The song just builds and builds and it feels so good to listen to this! It isn't showboating and musical masturbation, this is all within the confines of the song and helps to bring this already great song to new heights. It then closes with the chorus.

"Some Wounds" starts off with a very lush chorus with its warm synths and warm vocals. The chorus is supremely crafted. Multi-layered guest vocals (both male and female) hit the sky with "Some wounds may never heal! Some secrets can't be sealed!" It's absolutely beautiful. And the lyrics to this song are poetry.

"Carnal Comprehension" opens with keyboards and fantastic shuffling drumming by Arve Heimdal. This song once again features a sublime multi-layered chorus. The bridge, however, is amazing. Counterpoint vocals provide an absolutely awesome aural experience.

"Solar Serpent" begins with Ingar Amlein utilizing his bass to provide a powerful, plunging bottom-heavy sound. Roy Khan reaches the heavens when he sings "the solar serpent shines!". You usually doesn't go this high, but he proves that he has the ability to go as high as he wants with skill and grace.

"Another Day" closes the album in beautiful fashion. It's sort of a ballad, but not quite. This song features very calm verses of lush synth and Roy's passionate voices. The chorus is much more powerful, featuring electric guitar.

A lot of accurate reviews have already been said about this band and this album, so I'll be brief. Conception's last three albums are all good and worth owning. My recommendation for most people is to start with "Flow", Conception's most melodic and accessible album, and once you become a big fan of the band (and you will be) pick this up next. Compared to their other works, "Multitude" is Conception's most progressive, meaning there are lots of time signature changes, long tracks, odd rhythms that seem out of sync with the vocals, epic instrumental passages, etc. It may take several listens before you begin to catch the melodies. So be warned: depending on who you are, this may move you to tears of joy or it may feel like homework. If you're a fan of Dream Theater, etc. you've just found your new favorite band. However, if you like more straightforward, catchy rock this album will probably have less appeal for you than their "Parallel Minds".

It's hard to beat the combination of Tore Ostby on guitar (one of the most innovative guitar virtuosos I've ever heard), with the great Khan on vocals. All four of Conception's releases are excellent, and many feel this was their best work.

Despite the 5-star rating, however, this isn't MY favorite Conception disc. This is definitely their best progressive metal disc, although "Flow" (their 1997 release) is more "accessible" (ie. less progressive and lighter overall), and is "perfect" for what it tries to be.

If you like metal at all, especially progmetall, then In Your Multitude will simply blow you away. Missionary Man is my personal favorite track, but the whole disc is amazing. If you like this disc, I highly recommend "Burn The Sun" by Ark (same guitarist). If you love the singer, check out Kamelot's more recent work ("The Fourth Legacy" and later).

Regardless, get "In Your Multitude." But if you LOVE Conception's sound and you're open to something slightly less 'metal' and slightly less 'progressive,' definitely check out "Flow"....

***** - FIVE STARS
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Very impressive Power Metal. Conception isn't that well known, but they should be, "In Your Multitude" had to be one of the best Metal offerings in 1995. This is highly underrated....

If you like old-school Metal, in the realm of Queensryche / Iron Maiden / and various other pure Power Metal oufits, you should certainly enjoy all of Conception's catalogue....

After listening to "In Your Multitude" I wondered why I had never hear of this band, and why they weren't respected more around the world. They are excellent musicians, and the vocals are incredibly unique. Vocalist R. Kahn sounds like no other singer in Metal, he's almost got a F. Mercury {Queen} sound that I can't quite describe. I love it though!!!...

I highly recommend you pick this up, along with "Parallel Minds" and "Flow". You will not be disappointed....