Grand Illusion (Nocturnal Rites’s Album)

Grand Illusion is the seventh studio album by Swedish power metal band Nocturnal Rites

With Grand Illusion, Nocturnal Rites have crafted an album of frustrating contradictions: it is both powerfully exciting and disappointingly familiar, often within the space of a few songs. This is the sound of a band delivering high-quality musicianship that rarely dares to be different.

Nocturnal Rites are another band that demonstrates excellent musicianship and consistent output, but that consistency isn’t always as dependable as one might hope. Their previous album, New World Messiah, was a bit lighter and less focused on heavy aggression, as if they were trying to find a new direction for themselves. This latest album, Grand Illusion, is much the same.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about this album. This isn’t to say it’s a bad album. I still think it’s a solid piece of work, but it just didn’t captivate me in the way I’d hoped. Perhaps it’s because I prefer their older, more power-metal-focused material, from albums like The Sacred Talisman or Shadowland.

Kicks off with the powerful “Fools Never Die,” a fitting opener for a melodic power metal band. It possesses beautiful melodies while maintaining a fierce musical aggression. The solo flows seamlessly over a tight, solid rhythm section, giving the track a special quality. The vocals hit the high notes without wavering (and if they were wavering in the studio, you wouldn’t want to think about a live performance, would you?).

Speaking of Jonny Lindqvist’s vocals, he is undoubtedly a skilled singer with a great voice.

but it feels like this is over-emphasised as a selling point. He often pushes his high vocals to a point of imbalance.

For music, The traditional speed and power are slightly reduce, but not to the extent that it veers into pop territory.

Lyrically, the album sticks to its fantasy themes, which are starting to feel a bit stale for them. However, if you focus on the music, you’re treated to some very well-crafted melodic power metal.

The riffs and dual-guitar arrangements are well-executed; it’s not just about thrashing out power chords. Crucially, most songs feature catchy choruses that are easily accessible to fans of the genre.

After the first three tracks, however, the excitement begins to wane. I found the songs weren’t compelling enough to hold my attention (unless you are a dedicated melodic power metal enthusiast). A sense of sameness creeps in; the tracks need something more than just different lyrics and a title to set them apart. The music becomes less urgent, allowing the keyboards to play a more prominent role.

There are, however, some exceptions. “Still Alive” is energetic and heavy, with a vitality that makes it feel “on fire” compared to the others. The sharp guitars and urgent drumming truly make you feel “still alive,” just as the title suggests. In contrast, other tracks like “End of Our Rope” and “Never Ending” are merely average when compared to the album’s opening trio. However, the album finishes strongly, with “Deliverance” providing a beautiful closing statement.

Ultimately, Grand Illusion is a textbook case of a ‘good but not great’ album. While it may not convert sceptics, die-hard fans of the genre will find a competent and enjoyable record that delivers exactly what it promises.

for better or for worse…

Grand Illusion

Nocturnal Rites