A SLEEPER'S AWAKENING

PICTORIAL WAND is the one man project of Mattis Sorum from Norway. He does have plenty of guests helping him out though on this his debut. Interesting that he completed this recording while going full time to University taking music. Well it did take 3 years to make but still I find that quite impressive.

As some know i'm not big on concept albums especially double concept albums like this one. Apparently it deals with the seven deadly sins as heard in the first person through this king. There's so much to like here and i'm surprised at how heavy this is at times. Also the vocals bring Daniel Gildenlow to mind for me quite often. There's narration usually to begin a song and often by a male child. A fair amount of atmosphere as well as flute and cello. There's even some electric sitar on one track. The female vocals are well done too.

This is an ambitious project to say the least. If I was even remotely into concept albums this would be easily 4 stars, but the almost 2 hours of music with the focus on the concept is just not my bag. I'm very impressed though and I understand his latest is even better than this one. 3.5 stars.