Circle II Circle – Delusions of Grandeur

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AFM Records
Produced by Zak Stevens/Jay Stanley

Following 2006’s ‘Davinci Code’ influenced Burden of Truth the fourth Circle II Circle album in six years is, unfortunately, just another Circle II Circle album, losing the cutting edge of the first three.

Most of the album indeed feels lacklustre. Opener Fatal Warning, for example, has an excellent driving groove through the verses but lacks any kind of emotion from vocalist Zak Stevens (ex-Savatage). In fact most of the guitar work all the way through is of a high standard; guitar fans will find some excellent lead playing during So Many Reasons, Forever and .

But, mostly down to Stevens, the album lacks passion. Middle of the road ballad Echoes hits a real low point, making the otherwise average Waiting sound really quite strong. Soul Breaker is the first time Stevens sounds like he cares about what he’s singing, then a great, heavy riff on Seclusion gives it promise but Stevens appears to have lost his enthusiasm again.

Things don’t get any more passionate through So Many Reasons and Chase The Lies, despite some good riffs, and ending on a piano-led ballad, tasty lead guitar and slow riffs aside, isn’t going to leave a lasting feeling of energy or passion in listeners either.

The band don’t do anything wrong, as such. Their playing and Stevens’ singing are still very good. But they don’t do a lot right either. The whole album is serious-metal-by-numbers. Rather than sounding like the exciting and inventive band they did on their first three albums they sound like a poor-man’s Brainstorm on this one.

“ feels lacklustre ”

Tracklist: Fatal Warning / Dead of Dawn / Forever / Echoes / Waiting / Soul Breaker / Seclusion / So Many Reasons / Chasing The Lies / Every Last Thing
Special Edition Bonus Track: Stay
Japan Bonus Track: Against The World

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Power Metal, Circle II Circle