Virtuoso progressive metal doesn't get much better than this. The third album from neo-classical prog-metal outfit Time Requiem, The Optical Illusion, blazes from start to finish, complete with incredible keyboard & guitar work from Richard Andersson and Magnus Nilsson, who will have you instantly recalling the classic duels of Blackmore & Carey, Malmsteen & Johansson, and Romeo & Pinnella. Rounding out the band is Goran Edman on vocals, Jorg Andrews on drums, and bassist Andy Rose. Together they make a formidable line-up, and The Optical Illusion is a furious display of melody, chops, and compositional excellence that never lets up. Edman should be familiar to many, as he has sung with the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Brazen Abbott, Karmakanic, and others, and really fits in well with Time Requiem's mix of neo-classical shredding and symphonic prog rock. Featuring two monster players in Andersson and Nilsson, the music on the CD takes many twists and turns, heavy in spots, but always extremely melodic and symphonic, with Andresson's wide array of synthesizer textures, tones, and solos littering the musical landscape. In many cases, his keyboard lines weave and run wild alongside Nilsson's guitar and the slippery bass of Rose, as on "The Ashen Soul" and 'The Talisman". Fans of melodic metal, progressive rock, and chops-laden music in general will really dig this album, so if your tastes run towards bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Artension, and Adagio, then check this out -pronto!
Track listing
1. Sin To Sin
2. The Talisman
3. Optical Illusion
4. The Ashen Soul
5. Ocean Wings
6. Creator In Time
7. Miracle Man
8. Sphere Of Fantasy
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