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Delusion Squared - Delusion Squared II CD (album) cover

DELUSION SQUARED II

Delusion Squared

 

Crossover Prog

3.86 | 149 ratings

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Nightfly
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Delusion Squared have followed up their 2010 debut with this impressive release with the original title of II. Having missed out on their previous album I tracked it down on Spotify and even with only a cursory listen I can confidently say that this one is a significant improvement with much stronger melodies. Clearly a return to their debut is in order, this apparently being a continuation of the concept started there.

It's very much a modern sounding prog album. Despite some heavy guitar work the album has quite a trippy vibe much of the time and is highly melodic and easily accessible. The keyboard work apart from piano is very much synth driven creating atmospheric soundscapes and textures for much of the time. Nevertheless the music has a warm feel aided by considerable use of acoustic guitar and the icing on the cake, the sweet and syrupy vocals of Lorraine Young. While the album has it's heavier and more up tempo moments, opener Double Visions and Necrogenesis being prime examples it's on the mellower and more reflective songs that Young's gorgeous voice can really work its magic and it doesn't get any better than the piano driven Veridical Paradox which is immediately followed by the equally compelling Revelation and Abduction.

The band play well and by being a trio all have to assume more than one instrumental role which they manage admirably. The only downside of the album whilst having a decent production, suffers no doubt because of a limited budget, from a horrible synthetic drum sound. This is clearly not an acoustic kit; electronic drum pads obviously being used. That's a real shame as it's the one blemish on a really great album. Delusion Squared are definitely a band to keep an eye on but would I imagine have to expand to contemplate live shows without resorting to backing tracks. This I'd say they need to do if they wish to reach a wider audience and with the talent on show have plenty of potential to do that.

Nightfly | 4/5 |

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