Search - Communic :: Conspiracy in Mind

Life after Scariot

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 02/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After going through Conspiracy in Mind a few times, I was stunned as to how much similar the vocalist sounds like the singer on Scariot's amazing work Strange to Numbers. I was rather late on giving Communic's debut a listen and, based on numerous reviews I'd read, I always believed he sounded like Nevermore's Warrel Dane. Well, the comparison is by no means off. However, I had no idea that the singer was Oddleif Stensland, the same guy who was in Scariot a couple of years ago. Communic is mostly Stensland's project, as he plays all guitars, sings, and is responsible for much of the songwriting as well.



The album spans roughly an hour of playing time and contains seven tracks, all of which are rather lengthy. Much like some other Scandinavian power metal bands, the production on Conspiracy in Mind could immediately be pinpointed as a classic Jacob Hansen work. The somewhat compressed and unnecessarily polished guitar tone does detract from the listening experience. The album is simply too clean and sterile given its dark lyrical and musical content. Some of the acoustic passages, such as the one on the almost 10-minute "They Feed on Our Fear", lack dynamics we've come to hear on any Kernon or Sneap produced Nevermore album. While Stensland is more of an upper register singer than Warrel Dane, some of his phrasing and delivery are definitely taken out of the Dane textbook. Though quite heavy in parts, mainly due to the rampaging bass and pounding drums (by another former Scariot member Tor Atle Andersen), I'd classify at least five out of the seven tracks as midtempo. Nothing too flashy or impossibly fast on this disc, as the writing dictates fluctuating rhythmic intensity and various melodic segments. "Communication Sublime" is one of the exceptions, being quite intricate in its arrangement and guitar playing, especially in the beginning. The bass underlying Stensland's guitar keeps the track intact while rendering it a groovy vibe. The emotional power ballad "Distance" offers a long acoustic intro and then a sudden foray into a breathing lead solo before vocals and multi-track rhythms surround the piece. Great screams echo in the distance, as cymbals sparkle and emphasize atmosphere. Perhaps the song that displays Stensland's most emotive and powerful delivery is "Ocean Bed". There is something for every member here. A great bass solo, and some of the finest a capella singing from Stensland in his career.



Conspiracy in Mind is a strong debut, but something inside me says, the best from Communic is yet to come."

The Nevermore of Norway!

Logan Peterson | Wichita, Kansas | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
After listening to this album I couldnt wait for the release of Visual Waves of Decay. Both albums are equally great and powerful. If you like one you're bound to like the other. And if you like Nevermore, Soilwork, Beyond Fear, Dream Theater, and Evergrey then you'll really dig these guys. No disappointments here. I doubt there will be for you either. Give them a shot. Its definitly worth your time and money."

Fans of Nevermore, your gonna love this

Christopher Nagel | Lebanon, Oregon United States | 08/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To those who just cant get enough of their Nevermore, check out Communic, these guys really shred, they've released an album that even Jeff Loomis would be proud of. Communic sound almost identical to Nevermore, maybe a bit more progressive with longer songs. and they're singer uses his more halford like falsetto more often then Nevermore's Warrel Dane. If you like Nevermore, or aggressive power metal/progressive metal check this out."