THE LAST SUNSET

"The Last Sunset" is the debut full-length studio album by Norwegian power/progressive metal act Conception. The album was released through CSF Records in December 1991. Originally with an artwork featuring a photo of the band members, but Noise Records re-released "The Last Sunset" in 1993 with an alternate cover artwork (which is probably the cover artwork most people are familiar with) featuring a picture of a sunset. Conception formed in 1989 and released a couple of demos before being signed for the release of "The Last Sunset".

Stylistically the material on "The Last Sunset" is a combination of US power/heavy metal (and sporadic touches of Euro power metal), progressive metal, and occasional nods towards thrash metal. The latter is only an influence though and it´s heard very seldom ("Live to Survive" is the most valid example). Conception are often tagged a progressive metal act, but on "The Last Sunset" I´d say they belong more in the power/heavy metal camp, although there are certainly progressive moments featured on the album. The most progressive oriented track on the album is the 10:38 minutes long closing track "Among the Gods", but there are other tracks on the album featuring progressive ideas. Those ideas are however predominantly just a minor feature in vers/chorus structured power/heavy metal tracks. The compositional quality is high throughout and "The Last Sunset" is overall a very well composed album. Although a few tracks stick out and make the album slightly inconsistent in style, it´s not an issue in this particular case, and only makes "The Last Sunset" a more diverse and interesting listen.

One of the great assets of the album (besides the high quality songwriting) is the high level musicianship. The instrumentalists deliver strong performances. Varied guitar work and a hard pounding and powerful playing rhythm section. Lead vocalist Roy Khan has a strong and distinct sounding voice and varied and powerful delivery. His voice reminds me somewhat of Morten Harket from a-ha, but in a heavy metal version. If anyone is in doubt that´s praise when it comes from me. "The Last Sunset" features some keyboards played by session musicians Staffan William-Olsson and Hans Christian Gjestvang, but the keyboards are not a dominant part of the band´s sound on the album. They are most prominently featured on "Among the Gods", which even features a keyboard solo. Gjestvang would become a permanent member of Conception on their sophomore studio album "Parallel Minds (1993)".

"The Last Sunset" features a clear and detailed sounding production. To my ears it lacks a little heavy bottom, and the snare drum is a bit too high and dominant in the soundscape, but overall it´s a well sounding production which suits the material. So upon conclusion "The Last Sunset" is a high quality debut album by Conception. There are a couple of odd songwriting choices, that could probably have been weeded out and made the album a bit more consistent, but as mentioned above the diversity is also one of the charms of the album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved (and maybe a bit too low really).

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)

Conception's debut sits close to power metal or whatever name you wish to give to 90's metal that is dominantly influenced by popular 80's bands such as Halloween, Dio, Ozzy and Priest. Expecting Progressive Metal might lead you in a wrong direction. This is simply competent melodic metal that stands out by the merit of their exceptional vocalist.

I don't reside too much in this style of music for finding it generally derivative and predictable, often confusing technical skill with progressiveness and an emotional standard that seems to be measured by the height of the singer's pitch. On the other hand, whatever the genre, there are always a few albums where the magic works. This particular album from Conception can sure be added to that list.

Had I known that Conception featured Kamelot's later singer Roy Khan, I would have checked them out a lot earlier as he is such a talented singer. Similar to Threshold's Damian Wilson he doesn't need to resort to overstatement; his voice has that inherent intensity and breadth that doesn't need big gestures. It is rather unique, especially in this style of metal occupied by legions of Bruce Dickinson clones.

The fact that this band originates from Norway is probably another element that speaks to me. It is a tad more gloomy then your average prog-metal outing and it is full of sullen yet refined vocal melodies. The focus is on songwriting and not on technicalities. The song material is mostly outstanding and rather diverse, avoiding bombast and empty pathos. A song like Bowed Down With Sorrow, as suggested by its title, comes close to the melodic doom metal of Solitude Aeturnus, other pieces like Live To Survive are a crunchy take on Judas Priest, the 10 minute closer, Among The Gods is the prog moment, adding nice touches of flamenco and Latin music into their metal sound. Not an obvious experiment but with a tasteful result.

This album offers nothing original or outstanding but inspiration and passion ride high throughout. A great discovery in this style. Excellent-lite.

This was CONCEPTION's debut album released back in 1993. It's true there's nothing new here or different that would set them apart, this is straight-up Prog-Metal. I don't have their final album "Flow" but I have the other three records. I have to thank Bonnek for allowing me to hear this one.

"Prevision" is the short intro track where we ge some atmosphere. "Building A Force" is built right away as all hell breaks loose with the drums crashing while the guitar rips it up. Vocals join in. It settles some 2 1/2 minutes in. Great sound when the riffs kick in followed by a guitar solo. "War Of Hate" sounds so good ! The vocals are reserved before a minute but the music isn't. A calm before 3 minutes with bass. Some Spanish guitar follows. "Bowed Down With Sorrow" is fairly heavy as laid back vocals join in. It picks up 1 1/2 minutes in. Nice. The contrasts continue. The guitar solo is beautiful 5 minutes in. I love the guitar intro on "Fairy's Dance" then here comes the riffs. It then settles with vocals but not for long. Themes are repeated. The guitar lights it up after 3 1/2 minutes. Nice.

"Another World" is some heavy [&*!#] as the tempo picks up and vocals join in. Some nice chunky bass too. An earth-shaking soundscape before 4 minutes as rough sounding vocals come in. A guitar solo comes in too. Amazing track ! "Elegy" features waves of synths as the guitar cries out. "The Last Sunset" is fairly dark with bass, drums and vocals. The guitar is relaxed. It's fuller after 2 minutes. Guitar solo before 3 minutes. "Live To Survive" is uptempo and crunchy. Vocals arrive quickly. This sounds really good. Guitar solo after 4 minutes. This is a real headbanger. "Among The Gods" is the almost 11 minute tour de force. A rampage of heaviness to open then strummed guitar and a calm takes over before a minute. Reserved vocals too. It kicks back in before 2 minutes then it settles with some Spanish guitar. An all out assault before 4 minutes as contrasts continue.

This album has been a pleasure as I haven't been listening to much Metal of late. The second half is quite strong but overall 3.5 stars seems just about right.