Conception--The Last Sunset

Conception--The Last Sunset (1993/Modern Music) Rating--8.2

The debut album from a band that would quickly mold themselves as one of the best power/progressive units ever. At this point the band is still finding its patented sound a bit, as the tracks are not as riff-etched as they will soon become. Walking on the fringes of putting all the pieces together, and things begin to truly gel towards the end of the disc. Check the later releases for specific sound and vocal comparisons, as two spectacular talents are featured here-- vocalist Roy Khan, and guitarist Tore Ostby.
A number of solid cuts, as "Among the Gods" shows the drive of the future, and mixes a Spanish-acoustic feel with crunching distortion. Riffs power the swift "Live to Survive," and "Building a Force" is equal in stature.
Both "Fairy's Dance" and "Another World" roll, and "Bowed Down With Sorrow," while slower, has a mesmerizing chorus. The title track begins in toned-down fashion as well, but a great buildup leads to a strong distorted flow.
Every album from here on out balances on the edge of brilliance-- and occasionally achieves it. Khan, Tore, and company takes its Dream Theater and Crimson Glory influenced sound and set off to forge a legacy...
TRACK LIST: Prevision/Building a Force/War of Hate/Bowed Down With Sorrow/Fairy's Dance/Another World/Elegy/The Last Sunset/Live to Survive/Among the Gods

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