State of Deception
| State of Deception | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 3 April 2020 | |||
| Recorded | February 2018–November 2019[1] | |||
| Studio | MLP Studio, Dokka, Norway Stable Studios, Oslo, Norway Eastlake Studio, Eina, Norway | |||
| Genre | Progressive metal[2] | |||
| Length | 39:19 | |||
| Producer | Tore Østby & Roy Khan | |||
| Conception chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from State of Deception | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metal Storm | 7/10[6] |
| Rock Report |    [7] |
| Sonic Perspectives |    [2] |
State of Deception is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. It is the band's first album in two decades with new material, and was released on 3 April 2020.[8][9][10]
A music video for "No Rewind" was released on 22 May 2021.[11] On 6 June 2021, Conception announced that they would be releasing an expanded edition of the album in 2022, featuring live tracks, re-recordings and new songs.[12]
Critical reception[edit]
Alan Cox, a reporter from Sonic Perspectives rated the album 8.1 out of 10, and stated: "State of Deception is not a perfect record. For one, it’s too short. And it could benefit from a couple more killer tracks. But both Khan and Østby provide their really unique 'voices' to deliver something that stands out for flares of uniqueness. It’s a record that requires multiple listens in headphones to fully appreciate for both the songwriting and production, and while it leaves the listener with a whetted appetite more than a fully satisfied stomach, there’s certainly enough to make those who missed Khan and Østby smile. And eagerly wonder what might be coming next."[2]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "in: Deception" | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 1:46 |
| 2. | "Of Raven and Pigs" | T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal | 4:45 |
| 3. | "Waywardly Broken" | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 4:38 |
| 4. | "No Rewind" | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 3:11 |
| 5. | "The Mansion" (feat. Elize Ryd) | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 4:35 |
| 6. | "By the Blues" | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 3:59 |
| 7. | "Anybody Out There" | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 5:25 |
| 8. | "She Dragoon" | T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal | 4:56 |
| 9. | "Feather Moves" (Remastered) | T.Østby/Roy Khan | 6:04 |
| Total length: | 39:19 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Roll the Fire 2.0" | 4:41 |
| 2. | "Silent Crying 2.0" | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Monument in Time" | 6:43 |
| 4. | "Your Own Lullaby (For Matilda)" | 3:32 |
| 5. | "Cry" (Live) | 5:53 |
| 6. | "Gethsemane" (Live) | 5:08 |
| 7. | "A Virtual Lovestory" (Live) | 3:49 |
| 8. | "Reach Out" (Live) | 3:44 |
| 9. | "A Million Gods" (Live) | 7:47 |
| 10. | "Flow" (Live) | 5:58 |
| 11. | "Roll the Fire" (Demo) | 5:36 |
Notes[edit]
- The Japanese release of the album features two discs, with the second disc including the band's EP, My Dark Symphony.
Personnel[edit]
All information from the album booklet.[13]
Band members
- Roy Khan – vocals
- Tore Østby – guitars, keyboards, bass on "Feather Moves"
- Ingar Amlien – bass on tracks 1–8
- Arve Heimdal – drums
Guests
- Elize Ryd – guest vocals on "The Mansion"
- Miro – keyboards on "in: Deception", "No Rewind", "The Mansion" and "Anybody Out There"
- Lars Andre Kvistum – keyboards, piano on "Waywardly Broken" and "The Mansion"
- Lars Christian Narum – organ, mellotron on "Of Raven and Pigs", "By the Blues", "Anybody Out There" and "She Dragoon"
- Aurora Amalie Heimdal – guest vocals on "She Dragoon", backing vocals on tracks 3, 6 and 7
Production
- Seth Siro Anton – artwork
- Gustavo Sazes – layout, design
- Nils Harald Mæhlum – engineering
- Tore Østby – engineering
- John Anders Narum – engineering
- Leif Johansen – engineering
- Stefan Glaumann – mixing
- Svante Forsbäck – mastering
- Lars Lanhead – photography
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] | 75 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Interview: Conception's Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot) and Tore Østby on their return with 'State of Deception'". Metal Insider. May 14, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c Cox, Alan (April 18, 2020). "Conception – State of Deception (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ "CONCEPTION Feat. Ex Kamelot Singer ROY KHAN: 'Waywardly Broken' Lyric Video". Blabbermouth. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ "Listen To New CONCEPTION Song 'By The Blues'". Blabbermouth. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- ^ "CONCEPTION Feat. Ex-KAMELOT Singer ROY KHAN: 'Anybody Out There' Music Video". Blabbermouth. June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ "Conception - State Of Deception review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Conception – State Of Deception". Rock Report.
- ^ "CONCEPTION To Release 'State Of Deception' Album in April". Blabbermouth. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "CONCEPTION To Release First Studio Album In Over 20 Years; State of Deception Details Revealed". BraveWords. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "CONCEPTION Announces First Album in Two Decades, "State of Deception" to Arrive in April". Sonic Perspectives. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ "CONCEPTION Featuring Former KAMELOT Vocalist ROY KHAN Release Official Video For "No Rewind"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "CONCEPTION To Release Expanded Edition Of State Of Deception Comeback Album In 2022; Live Version Of "Cry" Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- ^ a b (2020). "State of Deception liner notes". In State of Deception [CD booklet]. Conception Sound Factory.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Conception – State of Deception". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2020.