Product Description

Wow, what an impressive debut from these Norwegian progsters! I feel the same way about prog metal as I do about power metal: some of it I like a great deal and some of it does absolutely nothing for me. CIRCUS MAXIMUS' 'The 1st Chapter' does damn near e

Track Listing

1. Darkened Mind
2. Abyss
3. Wither
4. Sane No More [Instrumental]
5. Arrival of Love
6. Zero
7. Mouth of Madness
8. From Childhood's Hour...
9. Ultimate Sacrifice

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33128 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

Brilliant
This CD is very simply one of the best (if not the best) CDs I've purchased. Ever.

The musicianship is stellar, the vocals are amazing, the production is excellent, and the songwriting is near-perfect. If you like Progressive Metal (or even just rock/metal in general), you should own this CD.

The song "Mouth of Madness" alone is worth the purchase price of this CD. Also, the worst song on this CD (whichever it might be) is probably still as good as the best song on many other of your favorite progmetal CDs.

I own over 1000 CDs (own, not pirated), largely progmetal, and if this one holds up to long-term listening (and I think it will), it will be in my "Top 10 ever) list. I'd compare it to Queensryche's "Operation Mindcrime," if that tells you anything.

Buy. Enjoy. Then get their first disc, "The 1st Chapter." It was one of my favorite CDs in its year of release (2004 or 2005), so clearly it's also excellent, though the band has definitely kicked things up a notch in overall quality with "Isolate."

I've seen the band live (twice, in fact), and their live performance is worthy of the CD, with alll of the musicians nailing all of their parts, including the vocals (phenomenal harmonies, even live). All of the band members do background, but it's Michael Eriksen's lead vocals that definitely stand apart (though the drummer, Truls, has an awesome voice, as well). Mike has already established himself as one of metal's top new vocalists, and it's well-deserved.

Progressive-Metal Muscle
Circus Maximus continue to flex their progressive-metal muscle on this sophmore release. The energy expenditure and technical prowess on this disc demonstrate that they are ascending the ladder in the progressive-metal genre.

The problem with this disc is when you compare it to their stunning debut - "The 1st Chapter." Although much of this album is on par with its predecessor, it fails to make any real movement forward. This is ok for some, and not for others - I enjoy it regardless of its continuation of their previous effort. "The 1st Chapter" was so outstanding, it's hard to imagine them making a leap beyond where they started.

One of the weak points are the vocals. While the singer has a good voice, both his vocals and the music seem to descend to the 80's rock-metal style on "Arrival of Love." Some may like this, but I find it difficult to swallow for a millennium progressive-metal band. The 80's have come and gone, let's move ahead, instead of regressing to former days.

However, the preceding instrumental "Sane No More" has so much charisma, technical ability, and even (believe it or not) FUN (did I just say fun???), it makes enduring the weaker aspects of this release worthwhile.

Even though there are weak points on "Isolate," it by no means a weak release. I wrote the weaker points in order to be helpful to the reader of this review. Overall, this album stands above a multitude of other bands in the same category. When I take into consideration all the releases that I purchased in 2007, this one still makes it to my top 10.

Unbelievable
I got The 1st Chapter (their 1st album) when it came out and was blown away. I know it has been said before, but if you enjoy your Dream Theater, Symphony X, or the likes and just want it better (that is right, better), this is the band to get. I have had this release since day one and it has not left my CD changer, let alone the CD being played since it was first released.

The musicianship is very good, the band is extremely tight, the recording is well done (very well done).

As the album opens with "Darkened Mind" you might find it really difficult not to just hitting repeat a dozen times as you enter a state of trance with the riffing. Once you move past the first track, you are immediately hit with another amazing grove between the band and I'm certain you will think "man, I got to hit the track button to the beginning again.." However, let yourself go and it just continues to be as good as it started. Once you get to "Mouth of Madness," you might need to take a 5 minute break to stretch out your neck and arms as I am sure the level of air-guitaring and air-drumming will have put a strain on your joints and you'll need to limber up for the 13 minute extravaganza.

I am so juiced about this album, even as I type these words I felt inclined to bring it up to listen to.

Do yourself a favor and buy this one.