TRIVIAL ACT

"Mindscape" is the debut full-length studio album by Norwegian progressive metal act Trivial Act. The album was released through FaceFront Records in 1997. Trivial Act was formed in 1992 as Cemetary Gates but changed their band name to Trivial Act in 1993. In terms of output "Mindscape" is their only official release, but they did actually record a second full-length album, which was released as a demo in 2001. At that point bassist Steinar Krokmo and drummer Stian Kristoffersen had however begun a new adventure with the subsequently more successful Pagan's Mind. None of those two play on "Mindscape" though where the bass is handled by Svend Ole Heggedal and the drums by Erik Wroldsen (the latter would join Red Harvest in 1998 for a longer stint.

The music on "Mindscape" is guitar/vocal driven progressive metal or in other words 80s influenced progressive metal without keyboards. There is a strong power metal influence in the music too and especially the vocals and the occasional use of choirs in the choruses lead my thoughts in that direction. The material on the 10 track, 69:34 minutes long album (the Japanese version features two bonus tracks), are well written and very well performed. It´s obvious that these guys are both skilled composers and even more accomplished musicians. The vocals are powerful and delivered with great conviction (reminds me slightly of Dio at times), the guitars are both hard and edgy, and more melodic and intriguing, and the rhythm section are tight and deliver an impressive precision attack.

While there are technically complex sections on the album, the music is not as such focused on that aspect of playing music. Instead "Mindscape" is generally a very melodic oriented album (examples of the most melodic tinged material on the album are found in tracks like "Rainbow Valley" and "Vanish"), where the technical playing is a means to an end, instead of being forced technical noodling. There are no odd sections put in for the sake of it, and when the band put in progressive parts, it´s always done in a tasteful manner.

"Mindscape" is a self-produced affair, and taking that into considering, the album is well produced, featuring a both powerful and clear sound. We´re so used to hearing keyboards on almost every progressive metal release these days (and back when this album was released too), that the soundscape sometimes feels a bit "empty", but it´s actually refreshing to hear a progressive metal release with some "room" in the mix.

Overall "Mindscape" is a quality release, but the fact that the band´s brand of progressive metal arguably sounded a bit old fashioned in 1997, probably sealed their fate, and the release of the album more or less went unnoticed by most fans of the genre. If you enjoy melodic progressive metal with strong power metal leanings (and no keyboards), this might be the release for you. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

This album broke the mould when released among an avalanche of Black Metal albums from the same country.

Trivial Act started out as Cemetery Gates back in 1991 and released several demos under that name. If they were an Italian or a German band, this album may have been their third or fourth album. But this is their debut CD and the band was close to their end by then.

Various reports has compared them to Dream Theater. The similarities are obvious, but Trivial Act are also heavy influenced by German Metal bands like (early) Helloween. Especially the vocals are very German Metal scene orientated. The music are both complex and epic. The average length of the eight tracks (nine tracks in Japan) are over seven minutes. None of the tracks can be called commercial, to put it mildly. It take a lot of time to grasp the whole CD. The only negative I can say about this CD is that it is to technical orientated. In some of the tracks; the technical stuff takes completely over and it end up in an overkill. But if you are into this kind of music, this CD is a perfect choice. I am not so this is only a three stars album too me. My problem is that me to has run out of steam when it comes to straight edge progressive metal and rock. I am getting more into jazz, rio and zeuhl now. At the end, both myself and Trivial Act lost the spirit.

3 stars

Trivial Act is a norwegian progressive metal band formed in 1993 and released a single album in 1997 named Minscape. The music from this album is very well done not far from Fates Warning (perfect symmetry era), even some conections to Pagan's MInd music, some of the members from Trivial Act will join Pagan's Mind and remining constant members 'till now. The pieces are quite complex with many time signatures, a lot of changes in tempo, from slow to fast , long instrumntal passages and a killer guitar duo, nice breaks and absolutely a crazy drumer. Excellent album with a lot to offer and even the music is very well played and produce, they are very unknown in prog circles, wonder why they didn't hit the big time eith this album, they realy know how to use the instruments and creat something very solid.Kim W. Isaksen the vocalist is top notch , remind me in places of Damien Willson from Threshold, with a catchy voice and high octane range, brilliant. All pieces are great, not a weak moment here, the title track, Dream Dwell part I and II are examples of pure greatness and excellent songwritting and musicianship. This album is like a classic now in prog metal, at least is considered like that in scandinavians countries. So, if you don't have it, go and search for , worth every second, belive me , one of the best prog metal albums in the '90's, and yet very unnoticed.4 star without hesitation, similar with Fates Warning, Pagan's MInd, Threshold or Vauxdvihl from Australia. Recommended

excellent album! their music is very complex,whit lot of changes in direction and tempo,and some beautiful melodies(E.P,crossing bridge). the production is very clear,all the musicians are exellent.the drummer play sometimes a little like alex arellano style,the duo of guitars is very nice(some "strange" great parts) like psychotic waltz. the singer is almost a clone of oyvind haegeland,the singer of spiral architect. mindscape look like the cd of manitou "entrance" .