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After the highly successful "Parallel Minds," Conception returns two years later, in 1995, with another truly masterful work. Once again, the marriage between power and melody is confirmed, which contributed to making "Parallel Minds" a success. "In Your Multitude" creates an unmissable duo with its predecessor that I don't think will ever be repeated, should Conception return to making records.
The characteristics of the sound don't change much compared to its predecessor: once again, the powerful guitar riffs in perfect power style are striking, this time played with even more power, the technical finesse, the cold atmospheres and the always impeccable keyboard backgrounds... Sometimes reaffirming a style rather than modifying it can be useful in order to repeat the success previously obtained (although it's right to experiment and try new solutions).
The songs that hit the mark are undoubtedly "Under A Mourning Star" with those psychedelic keyboards alternating very well with the guitar riffs and the closer "In Your Multitude", as powerful as it is atmospheric... but the masterpiece is "A Million Gods", I don't think there's any doubt: a concentration of emotions among power-style big guitars, keyboard backgrounds sometimes more distorted and sometimes more delicate perfect bass lines, well-scored drumming, flamenco guitar parts... and a truly impeccable instrumental part with a guitar solo and really ingenious keyboard effects! The album should be purchased just for this track when we think about it, but the whole album flows smoothly like oil through a funnel. One of the tracks I enjoy listening to the most is also "Some Wounds" where the keyboard background is really intense and frames the guitar riffs very well. And just like in the previous album... here too the band moves us with another truly delicate ballad, namely "Sanctuary": once again brief and intense are the most appropriate adjectives to describe it; a delicate keyboard accompanies a very sweet acoustic guitar greatly... one can't help getting lost in memories, thoughts, distant horizons when hearing those notes so delicate, so fragile... But there's also room for tracks where the power is at the forefront and the guitar expresses itself as never before. Examples are "Missionary Man" and "Guilty", a track with dark and desperate sounds! Beautiful and powerful also "Retrospect" where strong riffs alternate with delicate arpeggios and the not bad neoclassical orchestrations in the chorus, well united with Roy Khan's always impeccable voice, once again capable of providing a powerful and expressive voice. Less flashy "Carnal Comprehension" and "Solar Serpent" but still valid. Of the first, I really appreciate the intro with the keyboard, a cheerful little tune that is not much different from those used to accompany toothpaste commercials; of the second, the alternation between guitar riffs and bass lines.
Conception was a band capable of touching us... and even now when we listen to them we get emotional... honors and recognition to a band that lasted really little... but why not dream of their return? For me, one day we will witness their return, I am really convinced of it! Because sometimes the conviction of being able to touch when joining together leads to a reunion. As the advert says... for now, it's a dream, but if there is passion, why not dream?
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
05 Sanctuary (02:57)
blind eyes search the sky
but try not to reveal uncertainty
behind images dancing on a wall
each tear a vision
the more you cry you'll learn
it's so easy to hide in the dark
the song you know so well
encourages to flee the answer to your tears
lingers in colours you can't see
each word a whisper
the more they say you'll find
it's so easy to hide in the dark
you won't find the treasure below the rainbows end
black and white are strangers to the pictures of the rain
you meet another day
with hasty little lies
when someone laughs you turn away
glad people make you feel unsafe
there's a place where all is sound
where you know you won't be found
where the sun and the moon never shine
and it's easy to hide in the dark
06 A Million Gods (07:44)
don't hesitate to hope, they said come close,
don't be afraid love
don't seem to find it's way to where you stay
you have to feel the light,
they said it's easy to forget
love is really far away
for a dying of today
mother mary comfort in a cross of silver
hard to pick a saviour from a million gods
'cause when you settle for a new dimension
you'll never find the one your dying for
last temptation; touch me before you close your eyes
die a martyr to your principles
'cause you're the only god who's visible tonight
once you have crossed the course
you seek when your resistance'
weak when your goal is left behind you
soon recline eyes of the source
you're searching for can't see you anymore
and salvation's far away for a dying led astray
make another mountain
move before it's over try to pick a saviour
if you know his name but mary's crying
on the edge of heaven deliberation's bad for faith she claims
last temptation; touch me before you close your eyes
die a martyr to your principles
'cause you're the only god who's visible tonight
they all seem to be the same
so hard to decide
when a million gods retain all there is to find
there's another universe behind each blinding flare
suddenly they'll all emerge
but none of them would care
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By Ale79
The compositions are well blended, increasingly complex and prog, yet more enjoyable and rich for the listener.
Roy Khan manages to transition from deep, almost theatrical voice parts, to vibrato parts, to fast moments with aggressive and precise singing, all while remaining incredibly clean and melodic: unparalleled.
