Illusion Suite

Norway‘s metal scene is small, localised, independent and, above all, of very high quality. Despite that, the worldwide metal community often views Norway as a third-world country. But perhaps that is no bad thing, because the inflatory export of bands from their neighbours Sweden and Finland cannot always be seen in a positive light. Average becomes the standard. But clocks tick differently in Norway, as the last albums of PAGAN‘S MIND and CIRCUS MAXIMUS prove, both of which were way above the general norm and which caused a furore on the prog metal scene. It is from the neighbourhood of these two groups that we now welcome ILLUSION SUITE and their debut album "Final Hour". And we can already claim that we have here one of the finest, most intensive, expressive and exceptional albums of 2009 so far. Where DREAM THEATER tumble into ever more complex song structures, no longer seeing music as entertainment but as a platform for egocentric self-realisation, and where Whilst SYMPHONY X produce longer, vaguer albums with less and less innovation, ILLUSION SUITE steps in. The four Norwegians and their debut album, "Final Hour" can with confidence be placed between the two above-named giants of the prog metal scene. Their songs are robust without omitting the feeling for great and mighty melodies. ILLUSION SUITE are the regeneration potion for a tired genre.