Nocturnal Rites is back for more with their new release “Grand Illusion”.  “Grand Illusion” will set new standards for Nocturnal Rites as they have now grown and matured to superstar status. The echo of brilliance on this release outshines past greats and the flair of writing ability is on fire. They add catchy AOR hooks and will not let down the traditional Rites fan.

Right from the opening track, “Fools Never Die” it is total meltdown and a huge glimmer of success can be heard. Nils Jonny Lindqvist is phenomenal as his vocals oozes  charisma and captures the innocents of hearts. “Never Trust” explodes with power and reeks of genius.

Nils Norberg guitar work excels on every song and will be ranked up there with the best of them.  “Cuts like A Knife” dapples with growling vocals and still pushes the metal to its limit as the march of the metal soldiers moves onward in anthem style. “End of Our Rope” is an icon of a song and should make Nocturnal Rites a household name. The piece of resistance is “Deliverance” which Lindqvist shows his pipes in blockbuster style.

This is the first release of 2006 we have reviewed and the power metal genre should be proud of a start like this Nocturnal Rites totally shreds in “Grand Illusion” and will burst the seams wide open and set the New Year in the right direction.

“Grand Illusion” will put Nocturnal Rites on the plateau of the Power Metal Kings.  Fantastic release!!!