Grand Illusion

Grand Illusion is Nocturnal Rites' seventh album, on which they layered hard riffs and big choruses to raise the completeness of Nordic melodic metal. Taking as its theme the winning of freedom and the overcoming of tyranny, it lines up powerful yet lyrical songs. That same year the band marked its 10th anniversary, and at the commemorative "Demons at the Opera" show they performed with a 55-piece orchestra at the Umeå opera house. Videos were made for "Fools Never Die" and "Still Alive." From the racing opener to the over-five-minute "Our Wasted Days" and the closer "Deliverance," well-crafted songs line up. Jonny Lindkvist's expressive vocals and Nils Norberg's brilliant guitar drive the whole record. It was recorded at Toontrack Studios in their hometown of Umeå, and Emil Norberg of Persuader guests on "Our Wasted Days." An accomplished work with the poise of veterans. The "Demons at the Opera" show was broadcast on Swedish national television and drew worldwide attention — a record from a milestone year for the band.