It’s hard to believe it was back in 2005 when Circus Maximus released their debut album “The 1^st Chapter”. I remember after giving the album its first spin being overcome with the desire to play it again…and again…and again. I was bowled over by the songwriting, the musicianship, arrangements and the wonderful feeling of realising here was band that could provide everything I look for in music.

When Dougie asked me to review the bands new release I was up for the task with no encouragement needed. As I got home and hovered opposite the CD tray on the hi-fi I kept saying to myself “please don’t let me down, I so want this to be a cracking album”. I shouldn’t have worried myself as I can share with all the Circus Maximus fans out there that the band has just recorded one of the best albums you will hear this year.

I remember after listening to “The 1^st Chapter” I couldn’t get over the fact that the album was a debut as sonically the album sounded superb and was very much the sound of a confident band that one felt were the finished article in every sense of the word. ”Isolate” once more sounds superb and one has to say it was a good move sticking with the same producer that the band used on “The 1^st Chapter” in Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids, Jorn, TNT, Wuthering Heights).

The album opens with a storming track in the shape of “A Darkened Mind”. The mood is dark but the music is exhilarating. The song builds gloriously as the band seamlessly weave some wonderful technical grooves together and the melodies soar in from all directions. The changes in tempo are breathtaking and every member of the band puts in a wonderful performance. The track just screams “heads up we’re back” and the listener is well and truly hooked.

Next up is “Abyss” which opens with some incredible drumming giving the song a real sense of urgency. The big feature of this track for me is Michael Eriksen's vocals, which soar over the proceedings covering whispers to screams with delightful and inspiring ease. At the songs mid point we get a truly stunning guitar solo from Mats Haugen which lifts the song up to new heights and lifts the hairs on the back of your neck.

“Wither” is a song with lyrics that really make the listener pay attention. Its grand storytelling put to music in a most satisfying way. There are wonderful vocal arrangements on this song, which show themselves on further listens. This song also has a great guitar riff midway through which shows the band know how to mold classic hard rock values into their progressive metal epics and it gives the whole listening experience a very immediate quality.

“Sane No More” is the albums instrumental masterpiece and the title is very apt as this track has so many technical things going on that it must have driven them mad recording it. The first guitar solo is so “kick ass” that it will leave your jaw on the floor. Its is a truly wonderful demonstration of guitar phrasing and control and every time I listen to it it’s more “of a blast” every time.

“Arrival Of Love” is the albums melodic rock wonder. It has a great sense of movement as it gently gallops along and is blessed with superb soaring melodies which go from major to minor keys in the blink of an eye and the guitar solo just makes you want to get in the car and drive with the sunroof down.

“Zero” opens with keyboards and guitar laying down a solemn mood. Eriksen's vocals are intimate as he uses his rich voice to go from low to high registers in silky smooth fashion. The track itself lets the listener and the band catch its breath for a few minutes before launching into the epic “Mouth Of Madness”. The rhythms surge and flow backwards and forwards and every instrument is played within an inch of its life. The song has a very dark and oppressive feel at its midway point as down tuned guitar lays down a fat and fruity riff for keyboards and guitars to shred in unison over. The sense of menace is tangible and one feels there is a real battle between good and evil being played out in front of ones ears. The song picks up pace and as a result the drama of the song is lifted to a new level and as the massed voices enter one is in progressive metal heaven. Suddenly the song changes its mood to mellow and introspective and a guitar solo with melody adds icing to the cake.

“From Childhoods Hour” begins with a big and bold riff, which holds the song down in fine fashion. The arrangement has very uplifting feeling thanks in no small part to some fabulous vocal passages, which take the listener out of the dark and into the light.

“Ultimate Sacrifice” is the albums closing track and it does just that in fine style. Crunching guitar sits alongside acoustic guitar passages and the song provides riff after riff and melody after melody. It’s overwhelming at times and yet also as mentioned earlier exhilarating. The band lock into a big and grand groove, which sounds immense, and things begin to feel almost orchestral in scale as the song reaches its climax.

“Isolate” is a stunning album and delivers everything that Circus Maximus fans will have been hoping for and more.” The 1^st Chapter” was an album which was always going to be a hard one to follow, but with “Isolate” the band have delivered in devastating style. The album is blessed with melodies, focused songs and performances that leave one in no doubt that Circus Maximus are sitting right at the top of the pile in this genre alongside bands like Pagans Mind, Dream Theater and Kamelot.

Circus Maximus I am sure will be feeling very proud of this album and one feels that their journey is just beginning. I for one will make sure I go along for the ride at every opportunity.

Let us know your views on Isolate

Track Listing

A Darkened Mind
Abyss
Wither
Sane No More
Arrival Of Love
Zero
Mouth Of Madness
From Childhood's Hour
Ultimate Sacrifice

Line Up

Michael Eriksen - Vocals
Mats Haugen - Guitars
Truls Haugen - Drums
Espen Storø - Keyboards
Glen Cato Møllen - Bass