GRAND ILLUSION — Prince of Paupers (review)

GRAND ILLUSION — Prince of Paupers album cover Album · 2011 · Non-Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Stephen
'Prince of Paupers' marks a quick comeback of Swedish AOR veterans, Grand Illusion, and still under the command of Anders Rydholm, he still trusted the vocal part to two great singers, Peter Sundell and Per Svensson, and also backed by top session musicians such as Gregg Bisonette and Tim Pierce, also this time, Steve Lukather and Jay Graydon fills in the guest role to add value to this new album.

After several spins, this album has been going back and forth between 75%-85%, but the excitement eventually wears a bit thin and finally settles in 80%. So many great and consistent tracks here except maybe 'On And On' and 'Under The Wire' were weaker. 'Gates of Fire' is an explosive opener, but not as good as the melodic heaven, 'Better Believe It'. The ballad with Steve Lukather, 'So Faraway' is wonderful, although 'Believe In MIracles' is definitely the best choice.

Some other goodies here are 'St.Teresa Love', driven by a slick keyboard in the classic 80s AOR fashion, the harmonies are beautiful and the chorus is a bliss. This track alone gets a solid 90% from me, and also 'Through This War', a brilliant uptempo tune and deserved the same score. 'Gone' is played in the similar style, but slightly below those two, still a great tune as well.

After analyzing their previous albums, I found this to be the most consistent and interesting package they have, and simply I can say this is the best achievement of the band. Some crazily good vocals and killer duets, also packed with sensational rhythm, don't forget that the production is awesome. A strong release despite some of the decent / average tunes, recommended for fans of AOR and melodic hard rock.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

I, the Destroyer Black Metal
SVARTFJELL
Buy this album from MMA partners
A Sonication Technical Death Metal
OBSCURA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us