CIRCUS MAXIMUS – Nine

 Frontiers 2012 www.frontiers.it

These Norwegians formed way back in 2000 as a covers band interpreting Symphony X, Dream Theater and the like. Debut album “The 1st Chapter” was released in 2005 with follow up “Isolate” seeing the light of day in 2007. Now in 2012, Circus Maximus return with their third album of highly complex progressive metal a la Dream Theater.

The band consists of Mike Eriksen on vocals, Mats Haugen on guitar, his brother Truls Haugen on drums, Glen Cato Møllen on bass and Lasse Finbråten on keys. They are all high technical musicians and combine well to produce some of the most memorable complex tunes this side of Dream Theater. The production is superb with each instrument having room to breathe – nothing gets buried which is always a risk with this style of music. Special mention must be made of the wonderful vocals of Mike Eriksen – wonderful melodic style with no touch of that Scandinavian twang that is so common elsewhere in the genre.

I’m not going to single out any particular song as they are all complex numbers with so many twist and turns that you may feel a bit dizzy and need to lie down in a dark room for the next spin…If pushed however the final epic “The Last Goodbye” gets my vote with its memorable “I will always love you” chorus.

Pretty naff cover by the way…

A definite grower which takes several plays to get to the bottom of…take the time with this challenging listen and you will be rewarded.

****

Phil Berisford


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


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