ZERO ILLUSIONS — Oblivion (review)

ZERO ILLUSIONS — Oblivion album cover Album · 2011 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Time Signature
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Genre: progressive metal

Zero Illusions are often described as progressive power metal, but I don't really detect any power metal on this album. Well, yeah, if the power metal label includes the harder type of American-style traditional metal which was once described as power metal, then maybe the power metal stamp is not totally inappropriate. The progressive label is probably more suitable, as Zero Illusion make use of a lot of odd metered riffs (in terms of song structure, they band are as conservative as you can be though).

The songs are very compact in structure and production and draw extensively on simple groove and classic style hard rocking riffs. Simple, he said, but what about all those odd meters? Well, the thing is, Zero Illusions make things seem simple, although they really are kind of complex. I like the way that a lot of the riffage on this album is actually very classic metal and hard rock style, yet complex and sophisticated - some examples are "Alive", "Honesty", "Son of the Devil", "Oblivion" and "Follow the Sign", to mention a few.

To me, the production sounds a bit raw - especially the distorted guitars have an almost tin can sound to them, and I can imagine that, if you are into hyper polished modern metal production, then this album will turn you one. However, if you like your raw and dirty metal and hard rock, then, I think, you will really be able to appreciate how the guitar sound add to the rock 'n' roll side of this album. Vocalist Björn Asking has a very unique voice, and I think it may take some time for some listeners to get used to his singing, but, actually, his powerful and nasal voice, and almost provocative and cheeky voice quality, is another factor that adds to the more dirty hard rock side to this album, while the odd time signatures contribute the sophistication.

The is an interesting album that should appeal to fans of dirty hard rock but also has a lot of surprises in store for fans of more complex progressive metal.
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