Keyboardist Richard Andersson and his band returns once again for yet another steadfast record of their classically infused prog-metal, offering over-the-top musicianship, symphonic arrangements, and all things technical for that matter. Co-produced by Andersson and Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings bassist), The Inner Circle of Reality is no different from any of Andersson's past endeavors, but again he places his skills to the threshold to create such a technical endeavor. He brings the influence of his past associational appearances along with him, Malmsteen, Majestic, and whatever else his ivory attack has been heard on.

Within the nine tracks that make up this album, all are infused with the consistent soloing and Malmsteen-esque guitar work, with they keys brought more closer into the mix. With the opening cut of "Reflections" a complete neo-classical showcase for the fuzzed analog synth and keyboard orchestration to provide the backbone to the heavy double bass and thick guitars providing the metallic structure, this song hints that the rest of the album will follow. And Yes, that hint was no short of the prophecy; within The Inner Circle of Reality epics like the dark title cut, with it's Facing the Animal (Malmsteen) vibe, the fast enchanting "Attar of Roses," to the Stratovarius keyboard interludes within "Definition of Insanity," to the mystical ballads such as "Quest of a Million Souls" and "Dreams of Tomorrow," to the final harpsichord interlude of "Bach Prelude Variation," the record stance stands for complete musical composition, brought forth with the tight band and discrete production to add more spaciousness and separation to an otherwise dense instrument layering, basically Andersson does it again.

The Inner Circle of Reality, is for fans of Rhapsody, Star One, Stratovarius, Malmsteen's Rising Force, and Ayreon, to name a few, being musician oriented fusing the classical influence on heavy metal, fans of that may want to check this one out.

Written by Hashman
Monday, May 17, 2004
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Hashman: 6.5/10

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Comment by confusicus (Anonymous) - Friday, May 21, 2004

"The Inner Circle of Reality, is for fans of Rhapsody...." this is the kind of shit that those who name himselfs critics or reviewers spit when they try to seems like conossieurs...

Comment by Moreno (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 3, 2004

First i met Ayreon then Rhapsody (still my gods) now Andersson's bands, Majestic, Space Odissey and Time Requiem. I believe that this band sounds very different from the bands you quoted.They can be not so original ok, but their skillness is undoubtable and their symphonic metal is for anyone who search poethic sound that makes you fly in dream...