Fool’s Game Reality Divine

by Jay Villain
Staff Writer

Paying tribute to our forefathers of thrash and power metal, Fool’s Game’s Reality Divine is metal to the core. This CD delivers something for everyone. It has well-structured songs, double bass drums, harmony guitar solos and lots of melody.

Musically, Reality Divine is quite dynamic, and nothing is too loud and overplayed. The production is fat and chunky, while still remaining clear and audible; every instrument can be heard clearly without the listener having to struggle. With that being said, the overall sound would benefit by adding a bit more bass guitar in the mix.

Reality Divine comes out of the gate running with “Mass Psychosis,” A mid-tempo song that clearly illustrates to the listener the conviction and quality musicianship they’re about to behold. Vocalist Lars F. Larsen projects his voice with great strength and clarity. Reality Divine delivers a blend of very melodic vocals combined with just a bit of the guttural vocal technique that’s commonly used in death metal, showing great discipline and judgment.

The skillful guitar playing by Matt Crooks and Matt Johnsen are a perfect combination. Their harmony guitar solos are written with specific intent and are superbly executed. This duo puts emphasis on the songs, and they only solo when the songs call for it. Speaking of solos, it’s nice to hear a keyboard player that can hold his own. Nick van Dyk makes his presence known throughout Reality Divine, by bringing to the table melodic progressions such as the intro to “Prelude To The Fair,” which is an instrumental, and some very nice keyboard soloing as in “The Conqueror Worm.”

One reason these musicians are able to shine is, in part, because of the rhythm section. The bass was performed by Matt Crooks, one of the guitar players, who does a great job holding down the low end and also brings the bass to the foreground from time to time to add even more flavor. Last and definitely not least, to put it simply, John Macaluso is a drummer that most musicians would just about kill for to play with. Combining interesting patterns, flowing drum rolls and his use of double bass kick drums make Reality Divine the strong CD that it is. One of the many highlights on this disc is “As The Field Of Dreams Was Abandoned.” It’s a brisk up-tempo song that sums up Reality Divine with the stamp of metal dominance.

If you’re a fan of metal, this CD is a fine addition to any collection. And if you’re not a fan of metal … Reality Divine just might change that. With this current lineup, Fool’s Game is a band that is sure to deliver high-grade metal for many years to come.

www.myspace.com/foolsgameband
www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

Track Listing:
1. Mass Psychosis
2. When The Beginning Meets The End
3. Sowing Dead Seeds
4. As The Field Of Dreams Was Abandoned
5. The Conquerer Worm
6. Prelude To The Fair
7. She Moved Through The Fair
8. The Wild Swans At Coole
9. On Endless Planes Of Ignorance

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10