INVICTUS (THE 11TH HOUR)

Norway's progressive metal scene may never have gained as much momentum as the neighboring Swedish landscape, but acts like Tellus Requiem show that the country still has a lot to offer in the world of progressive metal. After self releasing their eponymous debut in 2010, Tellus Requiem got picked up by Nightmare Records for the release of 2013's Invictus (The 11th Hour) - a killer progressive power metal release that borrows ideas from the genre's classic releases while still coming across as fresh and modern. Fans of old school progressive metal with a heavy power metal twist should definitely check out this highlight from early 2013!

The music on Invictus (The 11th Hour) most closely resembles Symphony X around the time of V: The New Mythology Suite. Much like that classic album, the tracks here are certainly progressive, but with a much heavier and more power metal-driven edge than acts like Dream Theater or Fates Warning. I also detect a little bit of a Psychotic Waltz influence in a few tracks (particularly towards the end of "Reflections Remain" and "Twilight Hour"), and that's almost never a bad comparison to draw when it's coming from me! For this reason and others, I wouldn't venture to call Tellus Requiem a 'clone' act, although their music is something that all Symphony X enthusiasts should enjoy for sure. Fans of dynamic and powerful power metal-styled vocalists should also love Ben Rodger's singing contributions on this album, as his voice is up there with the best in the genre right now.

Invictus (The 11th Hour) also features some great songwriting, with tracks like "Twilight Hour", "Redemption", and especially "Tranquility" standing as some of the best prog metal I've heard so far this year. Top it all off with a powerful sound production and high-class musicianship, and it's hard not to be left amazed by what Tellus Requiem have conjured for their sophomore observation. Though the album perhaps sticks to its guns a bit too much for listeners craving innovation, Invictus (The 11th Hour) is still an expertly crafted release with some tremendous songwriting. Fans of Symphony X, Empty Tremor, Psychotic Waltz, and Dream Theater shouldn't miss out on this one!