HERETIK VOLUME II: THE TRIAL

After the excellent "The Clever Use Of Shadows" Guy LeBlanc decided to get ambitious and create a concept called "Heretik" that would span over the next three albums.This is the second of those called "The Trial". For a concept album there isn't actually a lot of lyrics thankfully, as this band from Quebec lays down some killer instrumental work which is their strong point.

"Entrance Of The Judges / Malleus Maleficarum" is the over 23 minute opener. After an announcement of "All rise for the entrance of the judges" we get an almost classical brand of music before the synths kick in at 4 minutes followed by drums and guitar before 5 minutes. Reserved vocals a minute later with piano then it kicks back in around 7 1/2 minutes. Great sound here.This section goes on until around 14 minutes when the reserved vocals and sound return. It kicks back in a minute later and we get some ripping guitar before 16 minutes.Vocals are back 19 1/2 minutes in then it picks up with keyboards. Some heaviness 22 1/2 minutes in to end it. Nice. "De Praestigiis Daemonum" has a good heavy intro as keyboards join in. It settles 1 1/2 minutes in with synths helping out. Lots of piano too.The heaviness comes and goes.

"Heretik Part IV" opens with what sounds like harpischord as the sound builds.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as it settles back. It kicks back in instrumentally 4 minutes in. Some great sounding guitar after 6 minutes then the vocals return. It's instrumental again after 8 1/2 minutes with organ taking the lead. Cool. More excellent guitar after 11 minutes. "Ad Judicium" is uptempo and guitar led. Organ comes to the fore after 4 minutes then bass before it kicks back in. Organ leads again then guitar. "Moral Values Part II" settles a minute in with synths.Intricate drums and keyboards lead then it kicks back in after 2 1/2 minutes.Vocals 4 minutes in as it settles back. Reserved female vocals and piano end it.

A low 4 stars but it's certainly worth that rating.