JEREMIAS - FORESHADOW OF FORGOTTEN REALMS

Most of the time, I really have a distaste for symphonic progressive rock. But I was really floored by this release by Circle of Illusion. I was really impressed by the range of sounds they manage to capture on this album. The album has a very progressive rock/metal feel to the entire thing, but the incorporation of jazz, and maybe even some very brief electronica and disco fusion elements really set this album above it's contemporaries. This is not "run of the mill" progressive, symphonic metal. These guys sound fresh and original, and the musical chops along with the impressive theatrics (without becoming *too* overbearing or melodramatic...which some bands do) manage to find just the right "sweet spot" of balance between the worlds of good taste and impressive musical gymnastics. This is a very impressive debut, and I'm curious to see where this band goes next.