Rolling waves of sound, a high-tech progressive atmosphere, soul drifting vocals that weave in an out of your subconscious... this was the height of creative progressive metal, and the final release of the much beloved, but often forgotten band - Conception. This was Roy Khan's stomping grounds before he took off to semi-fame with Floridian power metallers Kamelot. The music was penned with a kind of trippy perfection by the hands of Tore Otsby, who was a rising star of the guitar at that point in time. His riffs were unique, either hauntingly touching or wrapped in delicious strangeness. And never without melody. He has the bite here, but melodic trappings are in full fledge too, making it a guitarist's treat and a prog lover's dream.

The production here is spot on, and the bass playing is out of this world. Handled by Amlien, he plays a clean, deep bass that is just as skilled as the lead guitarist. Bass playing is usually something that provides a simple backbone of a song, or quietly fades to the background to become "one" with the overall picture, but with Conception's final fling, it takes front and center stage and equally competes alongside the other players.

"Flow" is centered around a few truly spectacular songs, one which happens to be the opener, "Gethsemane". Words seem to fail when attempting to describe this song. Fluid like liquid midnight, mesmerizing in its chorus and transfixing in its verses. All in this seamless flow that is like the ocean's tides. Rising and crashing, receding into each other in an endless looping cycle. But the metallic bite is here too, nipping at your heels like the thoughtless brush of a transparent stingray, camouflaged in its natural habitual waters, casually electrifying all it touches. Flawless like diamonds, smooth as glass, a spiritual cleansing of the soul.

"Cry" is a frozen, passionate cry of emotion. Caressingly lovely, sentimentally distraught, Kahn's voice soothingly weeping over every delicate piano frill and each soft acoustic guitar chord. As the song unfolds, it gains height and emotional weight. "Hold On" is the balladesque flipside, so filled with pain, so eager with hope. But the over arching feel is lingering sadness, and a pitfall of emotion so deep and dark, that it is soul disturbing to probe within. Gorgeously executed and brought to life with sweet, sorrowing simplicity.

"Angel (Come Walk With Me)" so strange, twistedly erotic. The grit of the guitars, the anguished tortured vocals of Khan... a trip through the mind. Think something along the lines of modern Queensryche, charged with the creative crunch of "Awake" Dream Theater, and spaced out like a metallized Pink Floyd. Ostby's guitars are breathtakingly...unique. Of note is the gritty bit that is the precursor to the solo. Bouncing within the sonic fuzz, snapping and searing like beast's wrathful release.

Elsewhere there is still nothing but one high quality track after another, including the chugging chain power of "A Virtual Lovestory" and the thickly laid groove of "Tell Me When I'm Gone". "Cardinal Sin" harkens back to previous Conception albums, which were not quite as modernized as "Flow". Catchy melodies, breathing room for Khan to rise his voice to the occasion and a slick magic sprinkled throughout.

Norway's finest progressive band? Oh you bet... An updated "Rage for Order", a twisted up "Awake"... no matter what its influence or peers, "Flow" is a masterpiece of the progressive genre. Period.

As a personal side note: I eagerly awaited the release of this album after having gorged on the previous three Conception albums.  A low quality sound clip of "Gethsemane" was posted on Noise Records' homepage at the time and I personally must have listened to it a hundred times or more.  It was my addiction and sounds just as fantastic and catchy today as it did then... talk about standing the test of time. 
 

Written by Alanna
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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Ratings

Alanna: 9/10

Members: 9/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



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ProfessorShred Rating: 9/10 A highly enjoyable album Very much recommended!... · Read more ·

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Comment by Steen (Staff) - Thursday, April 10, 2008

View Profile Comments: 518 This sounds highly interesting. In fact, I just ordered it. Posted by Steen (Staff) Thursday, April 10, 2008

Comment by KingPest (Member) - Friday, April 11, 2008

View Profile Comments: 17 Ratings: 0 All of Conception's albums could be considered metal classics. I'm surprised you haven't heard this one already Steen. Posted by KingPest Friday, April 11, 2008

Comment by Steen (Staff) - Friday, April 11, 2008

View Profile Comments: 518 Conception is one of those bands (and there are still a few) that have managed to flow under my radar until now. It's great to still be able to make discoveries like this one hopefully is. Posted by Steen (Staff) Friday, April 11, 2008

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Friday, April 11, 2008

View Profile Comments: 245 This one is very different than the their previous three releases. KingPest is right though, all of them are metal classics. "Flow" remained my favorite because of "Gethsemane" (still an AMAZING song) and the wistful "Hold On". They are the discs' anchors. Superb stuff. I always said Kamelot's "Lunar Sanctum" was kind of a nod to Conception, so that should give you a hint as to what this sounds like a bit. Hope you enjoy these as much as I did back in the day... isn't it great to discover "new" gems? Posted by Alanna (Staff) Friday, April 11, 2008

Comment by Steen (Staff) - Friday, April 11, 2008

View Profile Comments: 518 Exactly! I am awaiting its arrival most unpatiently. Posted by Steen (Staff) Friday, April 11, 2008

Comment by gizmo (Member) - Friday, April 11, 2008

View Profile Comments: 140 Ratings: 4 Maybe i should listen to my 2 old (very old) Ceonception albums again, I don´t recall them as something special but maybe my taste have evolved through the years, it must be at least 10 years since the last spin Posted by gizmo Friday, April 11, 2008

Review by ProfessorShred (Member) - Monday, October 19, 2009

View Profile Comments: 16 Ratings: 45 A highly enjoyable album Very much recommended! Rating: 9/10 Posted by ProfessorShred Monday, October 19, 2009