ISOLATE

Norway's Circus Maximius play a kind of slightly simplified progressive power metal with a strong emphasis on melodic hooks. They are also blessed with a very good vocalist, who has a powerful and almost androgynous kind of voice. All their 3 (as of 2014) albums are in same general style but have different production sound. This one is the brightest-sounding. Comes across as a better version of 80s Rush and metal. Even when they sing about insanity (which is the concept here) its so infectious. By now its evident that this is in no way original, but back in the day the idea of crossing prog metal with pop, led by bands like Circus Maximus and Seventh Wonder, was fresh among all the usual doom and gloom.