Conception - Parallel Minds 1993

Format: ape + cue + log

Genre:Melodic Metal

Release Date: 1993

Label: Noise Records

Roy S. Khantatat - vocals

Tore Ostby - Guitar

Arve Heimdal - Drums

Ingar Amlien - Bass

Hans Cristian Gjestvang - Keboards

Review - The Metal Observer:
Label-wise released roundabout two months BEFORE the real debut, "Parallel Minds" shows us matured CONCEPTION, the compositions are rounder and more compact, as you can hear in the opening up-tempo-track "Water Confines".

Musically they have stayed true to their sound, slightly progressive Melodic Metal, which mainly lives off Tore Шstby's guitar-wizardry and Khan's brilliant vocals, but both elements are always used for the good of the song, no solo-escapades ruining the flow of the songs or one part growing too dominant. Just as on the debut the production is more than convincing either, each instrument has its clear sound, everything is coming over very powerful.

More classics are "Roll The Fire", more mid-paced, very direct, very intense, great atmosphere, the great ballad "Silent Crying", "The Promiser" with its excellent lyrics and the almost nine-minute "Soliloquy", which covers almost all facets of Melodic/Progressive Metal…

Even though I miss the flamenco-parts of "The Last Sunset", still a great album by a great band, both thumbs up!

Conception - The Last Sunset 1991

Genre: Melodic Metal
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 1991
Label: CSF

01. Prevision

02. Building A Force

03. War Of Hate

04. Bowed Down With Sorrow

05. Fairy's Dance

06.Another World

07. Elegy

08. The Last Sunset

09. Live To Survive

10. Among The Gods

Roy S. Khantatat : vocals
Tore Ostby : guitar
Arve Heimdal : drums
Ingar Amlien : bass

Hans Cristian Gjestvang and Staffan William-Olsson : keboards
Christine Meyer, Werner Skogli, Freddy Sansonstuen, Geir Wentzel, Tom A.Hansen : harmony vocals

At first released as an indie-album, "The Last Sunset" ler to a contract with Berlin-based label Noise Records - more than deserved, because what CONCEPTION is offering us here is slightly progressive Melodic Metal of the highest level!

Borne by Roy Khan's unique voice and Tore Шstby's filigree, partly flamenco-influenced guitarwork the Norwegians are giving us a ride that you do not find often.

After the calm intro "Prevision" "Building A Force" leaps at you, thundering double-bass, shredding guitars with filigree leads and Khans velvety yet powerful voice, a true tour de force! Try to play the guitar-line of "War Of Hate" - I guess that many hobby-guitarists will break their fingers trying it, and the quality-level in terms of guitar-wizardry is more than amazing (I just say Flamenco), Khan's voice, well, no need to elaborate anymore…

CONCEPTION also are a bit rougher and more experimental than on the following albums, but this also fits very well, as well as they do not orient them on any given standards, but have the courage to use different harmonies, like the ballad "Bowed Down With Sorrow" proves impressively.

But there is still one stroke of extra genius, more then ten minutes long, at the end of the album, titled "Among The Gods". This song might very well be the best thing that CONCEPTION ever has done, thundering guitars meet pure flamenco, very varied arrangement with another brilliant vocal performance by Khan - there can be only one word for it: GENIUS!

A more than remarkable debut for this quartet, having created an absolute genre-highlight that still finds its way into my CD-player fairly often, because the combination of the different styles and sounds is just plainly fascinating...

Review - The Metal Observer