Photo Credit: Lars Lanhed

Norwegian hard rockers CONCEPTION released the vinyl version of their new album State of Deception, yesterday, June 19th, having received rapturous reviews to date. The vinyl release was severely delayed by the spread of the COVID 19 virus, but it couldn’t stop the CD and digital versions picking up support far and wide from fans and media alike. The album was once again released via their own Conception Sound Factory label.

Having also had to postpone their European tour, the band, comprised of Roy Khan, Tore Østby, Ingar Amlien and Arve Heimdal, is grateful both for the reception of the album, and the chance to make the vinyl version available. Lead singer Roy Khan: ”We felt we had recorded something pretty special with State of Deception, but it’s still a wonderful feeling when people listen to it and react so strongly. Of course, the virus has created worry and disruption for everyone, but one upside has been that people seem to be immersing themselves in music in even greater depth than normal.”

State of Deception is wholly self-produced, benefits from the stellar mix skills of Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein, Within Temptation, Europe etc), and is comprised of 9 tracks in total. Guitarist Tore Østby explains further: “Producing this new album has been an emotional and exciting process, digging deeper into the heart and soul of the band than ever before. The result is dynamic and intense, it really feels like we managed to capture the state of Conception 2020!”

State of Deception tracklist:

1. In Deception
2. Of Raven And Pigs
3. Waywardly Broken
4. No Rewind
5. The Mansion (featuring Elize Ryd)
6. By The Blues
7. Anybody Out There
8. She Dragoon
9. Feather Moves (remastered)

State of Deception perfectly captures the band’s trademark breadth of progressive sound, from symphonic melodrama to rock riff utopia, and also features eminent Amaranthe vocalist Elize Ryd. The album can be purchased – now in all formats – here: https://www.musicglue.com/conceptionmusic/store

And there is one more reason why today is a special day for Conception and their fans – because their longtime loyal supporters have surprised the prog metal legends with a very special gift: a video from fans for fans where they express what the band means to them, accompanied by the song Anybody Out There from State of Deception.

Conception 2021 Tour dates:

MARCH 27 – GJØVIK, NORWAY ; FRISCENA
APRIL 8 – BARCELONA, SPAIN ; SALAMANDRA
APRIL 9 – MADRID, SPAIN ; SHOKO
APRIL 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL ; LISBOA AO VIVO
APRIL 15 – AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND ; MELKWEG OZ
APRIL 16 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG ; ROCKHAL
APRIL 17 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND ; DYNAMO
APRIL 18 – PARIS, FRANCE ; LA MAROQUINERIE
APRIL 24 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN ; FRYSHUSET
MAY 1 – OSLO, NORWAY ; ROCKEFELLER

Tickets: https://conceptionmusic.com/tour/

Photo Credit: Lars Lanhed

The first reviews are in and since they are mostly enthusiastic – some even celebrating prog metal legend CONCEPTION’s State of Deception as the “comeback of the year” – tension increases for the fans as we get closer to the date many of them have anticipated for so long now. Good news is: It’s only one more day until the Norwegians release their first full length offering in over two decades. State of Deception is available for pre-order (and later order) here: orcd.co/conceptionstateofdeception

While this is a reason to celebrate, there were of course some highlights the band had planned around this special day that are just not possible anymore in the current situation, like the various fan events that had to be postponed or even canceled. For a band like Conception, with a strong connection to their fans, it’s always particularly hard to lose possibilities to spend personal time with them. That’s why the band came up with a few other ideas to stay in contact during this time, talk with everyone on the special day tomorrow, get direct feedback for the new album from some of their most important critics and hopefully bring “a little Conception positivity” to everyone over the coming days, as the band states on Facebook.  It all starts with a ‘pre-listening party’ available to fans from today, April 2nd, (orcd.co/conceptionlisteningparty, this link expires at midnight, European time), allowing them to listen to the album before it’s officially out, and continues with an “Ask Me Anything” Q&A Facebook livestream with guitarist Tore Østby on Friday morning, 11:30am (European time). Fans can already come up with questions for that under the band’s respective Facebook post.

And for all those who missed it earlier this week: There was another great news just in time for the album release! The planned 2020 tour, that had to be postponed for reasons everyone is familiar with, has now new dates and thus become the “State of Deception Tour 2021”. Here’s the official statement from the band:
“Folks, we are delighted to announce that our postponed 2020 tour dates have now been rearranged and confirmed for alternative dates, when the current crisis will well and truly have passed. Existing tickets will remain valid for the rearranged dates, so please do hold on to them. Whilst we had been looking forward to these shows immensely anyway, the extraordinary turn of events we are all experiencing currently only means that we will double our efforts to ensure we deliver to our absolute utmost! So stay safe, and we look forward to playing for you when it is entirely safe to do so.”

Tickets for the new dates and all details are available here:
https://conceptionmusic.com/tour/

“State of Deception Tour 2021”

APRIL 8 – BARCELONA, SPAIN ; SALAMANDRA
APRIL 9 – MADRID, SPAIN ; SHOKO
APRIL 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL ; LISBOA AO VIVO
APRIL 15 – AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND ; MELKWEG OZ
APRIL 16 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG ; ROCKHAL
APRIL 17 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND ; DYNAMO
APRIL 18 – PARIS, FRANCE ; LA MAROQUINERIE
APRIL 24 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN ; FRYSHUSET
MAY 1 – OSLO, NORWAY ; ROCKEFELLER