Twenty years after their last release ‘Illusion’ a new record from Germany’s Jester’s Tears lands at Rockpit HQ a year and a half after its release and with an apology from Australia Post that the package (dated June 2021) has been ‘lost’. The least we could do in the circumstances is give it a spin even if ‘Symphonic Progressive Metal’ isn’t our usual beverage of choice. Interestingly ‘Perception’ is an apt title as what we have here certainly to these ears falls more into the ‘Power Metal’ category as well as having the theme of how we see things running throughout.
After an shining ‘intro track’ in ‘The Wish’ things really begin with ‘Harmony’ which lays the cards on the table to reveal and wonderfully melodic take on Power Metal with just a twist of Prog to keep it interesting. Along with ‘The Only Way’ that follows it’s a rather surefooted and classy opening gambit. The only way in particular underlining the musical craft of the band in a wonderful instrumental passage.
‘I Can’t Deny’ slows things down a little and offers a more delicate approach and it’s nice that it’s left alongside the other more restrained number ‘ Dreams Aside’ as the two fit beautifully together. Both songs have so much life and energy breathed into them and the Progressive and symphonic touches they are adorned with keeps life interesting. It’s perhaps that pair and the wonderful ‘Scream into Darkness’ that follows with it’s high drama ad dynamics that are my favourites here.
Though there’s plenty more to love with ‘Thorns in his Mind’ really sounding like an echo or distillation of the bands vintage albums, and ‘Sorry’ adding a great riff to rise; whilst ‘Who Decides’ and closing track ‘Critical Thinking’ both epic in stature, musically enticing and always transforming, it keep you on your toes and runs away with you like all the best Progressive music does. It’s a helluva way to close after such a long absence.
Great production, great songs and plenty of interest for those whose eyes light up when they hear the word ‘Prog’.
7/10
Line-Up: Dimitrios Tsiktes – Vocals | Tobias Dorner – Guitars | Bernd Huber – Bass | Philipp Schultheiss – Keyboards | Mike Sauter – Drums
Track-List: 1. The Wish | 2. Harmony | 3. The Only Way | 4. I Can’t Deny | 5. Dreams Aside | 6. Scream into Darkness | 7. Thorns in his Mind | 8. Sorry | 9. Who Decides | 10. Critical Thinking
Links: WEBSITE / BANDCAMP / INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK