Zero Illusions : Oblivion
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
As soon as the opening track, “Alive,” of Oblivion, the second full-length album from Zero Illusions, kicks in, you get this sense of déjà vu, and not just because they sound like Saxon, though they most certainly do. A quick check of the Swedish melodic metal band’s lineup explains it: Nearly the entire Zero Illusions lineup previously was in the band Pain and Passion, which also had a strong Saxon vibe.
The second thing that strikes you right away about Oblivion is how much better Zero Illusions has gotten since their Pain and Passion days. They bill themselves as a progressive metal band, but their formula owes less to Dream Theater and Fates Warning than it does to more straightforward melodic metal bands. Actually, ¾ Saxon and ¼ Pretty Maids is closer to the formula, and that’s not a bad thing at all. This has a lot to do with Bjorn Asking’s vocal style, which is very reminiscent of Biff Byford, and the fact that Janne Luthje’s sharp riffing would be right at home on the average Pretty Maids album.
Oblivion is just a really solid, hard-hitting melodic heavy metal album. The rhythms are nice and heavy and help balance the album’s catchier melodies. You can bang your head to songs, including “Son of the Devil” and “Get Out,” and slower songs, such as “Call of Duty,” still pack plenty of punch. Top it off with a first-rate mixing and mastering job by Andy LaRocque, and you have a fine melodic metal album that, despite its independent release status, is more than label-worthy.
If you’re a fan of melodic heavy metal, particularly bands such as Saxon, Pretty Maids, Starbreaker, Jaded Heart (post-Michael Bormann), Evidence One and the like, Zero Illusions is well worth checking out. They’ve certainly come a long way in the few years since their Pain and Passion days.
Genre: Melodic Metal
Band:
Bjorn Asking (v)
Janne Luthje (g)
Tomas Reinerson (b)
Andre Holmqvist (d)
Track Listing:
1. Alive
2. Rise to the Challenge
3. Who You Are
4. Honesty
5. Son of the Devil
6. Oblivion
7. Call of Duty
8. Follow the Sign
9. Get Out
10. Carpe Diem
11. Enemy Within
Label: self-released
Website: www.zeroillusions.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 7.5/10