State of Deception

State of Deception
Studio album by
Conception
Released3 April 2020
RecordedFebruary 2018–November 2019[1]
StudioMLP Studio, Dokka, Norway
Stable Studios, Oslo, Norway
Eastlake Studio, Eina, Norway
GenreProgressive metal[2]
Length39:19
ProducerTore Østby & Roy Khan
Conception chronology
My Dark Symphony
(2018) 		State of Deception
(2020)
Singles from State of Deception
  1. "Waywardly Broken"
    Released: 6 March 2020[3]
  2. "By the Blues"
    Released: 20 March 2020[4]
  3. "Anybody Out There"
    Released: 21 June 2020[5]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal Storm7/10[6]
Rock Report[7]
Sonic Perspectives[2]

State of Deception is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian power metal/progressive metal band, Conception. It is the band's first album in two decades with new material, and was released on 3 April 2020.[8][9][10]

A music video for "No Rewind" was released on 22 May 2021.[11] On 6 June 2021, Conception announced that they would be releasing an expanded edition of the album in 2022, featuring live tracks, re-recordings and new songs.[12]

Critical reception

Alan Cox, a reporter from Sonic Perspectives rated the album 8.1 out of 10, and stated: "State of Deception is not a perfect record. For one, it’s too short. And it could benefit from a couple more killer tracks. But both Khan and Østby provide their really unique 'voices' to deliver something that stands out for flares of uniqueness. It’s a record that requires multiple listens in headphones to fully appreciate for both the songwriting and production, and while it leaves the listener with a whetted appetite more than a fully satisfied stomach, there’s certainly enough to make those who missed Khan and Østby smile. And eagerly wonder what might be coming next."[2]

Track listing

State of Deception track listing[13]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."in: Deception"T.Østby/Roy Khan1:46
2."Of Raven and Pigs"T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal4:45
3."Waywardly Broken"T.Østby/Roy Khan4:38
4."No Rewind"T.Østby/Roy Khan3:11
5."The Mansion" (feat. Elize Ryd)T.Østby/Roy Khan4:35
6."By the Blues"T.Østby/Roy Khan3:59
7."Anybody Out There"T.Østby/Roy Khan5:25
8."She Dragoon"T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal4:56
9."Feather Moves" (Remastered)T.Østby/Roy Khan6:04
Total length:39:19
Disc two (Deluxe edition bonus tracks)
No.TitleLength
1."Roll the Fire 2.0"4:41
2."Silent Crying 2.0"4:22
3."Monument in Time"6:43
4."Your Own Lullaby (For Matilda)"3:32
5."Cry" (Live)5:53
6."Gethsemane" (Live)5:08
7."A Virtual Lovestory" (Live)3:49
8."Reach Out" (Live)3:44
9."A Million Gods" (Live)7:47
10."Flow" (Live)5:58
11."Roll the Fire" (Demo)5:36

Notes

  • The Japanese release of the album features two discs, with the second disc including the band's EP, My Dark Symphony.

Personnel

All information from the album booklet.[13]

Band members

  • Roy Khan – vocals
  • Tore Østby – guitars, keyboards, bass on "Feather Moves"
  • Ingar Amlien – bass on tracks 1–8
  • Arve Heimdal – drums

Guests

  • Elize Ryd – guest vocals on "The Mansion"
  • Miro – keyboards on "in: Deception", "No Rewind", "The Mansion" and "Anybody Out There"
  • Lars Andre Kvistum – keyboards, piano on "Waywardly Broken" and "The Mansion"
  • Lars Christian Narum – organ, mellotron on "Of Raven and Pigs", "By the Blues", "Anybody Out There" and "She Dragoon"
  • Aurora Amalie Heimdal – guest vocals on "She Dragoon", backing vocals on tracks 3, 6 and 7

Production

  • Seth Siro Anton – artwork
  • Gustavo Sazes – layout, design
  • Nils Harald Mæhlum – engineering
  • Tore Østby – engineering
  • John Anders Narum – engineering
  • Leif Johansen – engineering
  • Stefan Glaumann – mixing
  • Svante Forsbäck – mastering
  • Lars Lanhead – photography

Charts

Sales chart performance for State of Deception
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] 75

References

  1. ^ "Interview: Conception's Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot) and Tore Østby on their return with 'State of Deception'". Metal Insider. May 14, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Cox, Alan (April 18, 2020). "Conception – State of Deception (Album Review)". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "CONCEPTION Feat. Ex Kamelot Singer ROY KHAN: 'Waywardly Broken' Lyric Video". Blabbermouth. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  4. ^ "Listen To New CONCEPTION Song 'By The Blues'". Blabbermouth. March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "CONCEPTION Feat. Ex-KAMELOT Singer ROY KHAN: 'Anybody Out There' Music Video". Blabbermouth. June 21, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  6. ^ "Conception - State Of Deception review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Conception – State Of Deception". Rock Report.
  8. ^ "CONCEPTION To Release 'State Of Deception' Album in April". Blabbermouth. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "CONCEPTION To Release First Studio Album In Over 20 Years; State of Deception Details Revealed". BraveWords. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "CONCEPTION Announces First Album in Two Decades, "State of Deception" to Arrive in April". Sonic Perspectives. February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  11. ^ "CONCEPTION Featuring Former KAMELOT Vocalist ROY KHAN Release Official Video For "No Rewind"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 22 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  12. ^ "CONCEPTION To Release Expanded Edition Of State Of Deception Comeback Album In 2022; Live Version Of "Cry" Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  13. ^ a b (2020). "State of Deception liner notes". In State of Deception [CD booklet]. Conception Sound Factory.
  14. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Conception – State of Deception". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2020.