REALITY IN FOCUS

Reality in Focus is the second full-length studio album by American progressive metal act Magnitude 9. The album was released in 2000 through InsideOut Music. The debut album Chaos To Control (1997) by Magnitude 9 was an enjoyable album that fully showcased both the technical and the compositional skills of the band. Reality in Focus continues the solid progressive metal style that Magnitude 9 started on the debut.

The music is a mix of progressive metal, heavy metal and power metal. There are lots of heavy riffs, keyboards and skillful playing on the album but the music isn´t overtly complex in structure. It´s generally vers/ chorus build with some pretty anthemic choruses that is best described as power metal/ heavy metal like in nature. While I do enjoy progressive metal with lots of power metal elements it is my least favoured subgenre within the progressive metal genre and after a couple of songs I find those choruses a bit too generic. But that´s just my opinion. If you like the style there´s absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of the music on this album. In addition to the nine original compositions by Magnitude 9, the band also tackle a cover version of Flight of Icarus by Iron Maiden. I don´t quite see the point though as this version is almost frightingly true to the original. If your cover version doesn´t add anything new to the original version I´m not interested. All original compositions are progressive/ power metal songs of high quality though.

The musicianship is excellent. Guitarist Rob Johnson can certainly shred but his playing is melodic too. The rythm section is tight and heavy and keyboardist Joseph Anastacio Glean adds lots of atmosphere to the tracks. Lead vocalist Corey Brown is a powerful singer.

The production is very good. Detailed and powerful.

Reality in Focus might not really be to my personal taste but it is a high quality album. A 3.5 star rating is deserved.