State of Deception
{{short description|2020 studio album by Conception}}
{{Infobox album
| name = State of Deception
| type = Studio Album
| artist = Conception
| cover = File:Conception state of deception album 2020.jpg
| alt =
| released = 3 April 2020
| recorded = February 2018–November 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/interview-conceptions-roy-khan-ex-kamelot-and-tore-ostby-on-their-return-with-state-of-deception|title=Interview: Conception's Roy Khan (ex-Kamelot) and Tore Østby on their return with 'State of Deception'|publisher=Metal Insider|date=May 14, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2020}}
| venue =
| studio = MLP Studio (Dokka)
Stable Studios (Oslo)
Eastlake Studio (Eina)
| genre = Progressive metal
| length = 39:19
| label =
| producer = Tore Østby & Roy Khan
| prev_title = My Dark Symphony
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Singles
| name = State of Deception
| type = Studio album
| single1 = Waywardly Broken
| single2 = By the Blues
| single2date = 20 March 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-new-conception-song-by-the-blues/|title=Listen To New CONCEPTION Song 'By The Blues'|publisher=Blabbermouth|date=March 20, 2020|access-date=March 20, 2020}}
| single3 = Anybody Out There
}}
}}
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = Metal Storm
|rev2 = Rock Report
|rev2score = {{rating|4.50|6|score=4.50 stars on a 6-point scale}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rockreport.be/albums/conception-state-of-deception|title=Conception – State Of Deception|publisher=Rock Report}}
|rev3 = Sonic Perspectives
|rev3score = {{Rating|8.1|10}}{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Alan |title=Conception – State of Deception (Album Review) |url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/conception-state-of-deception/ |website=Sonic Perspectives |access-date=March 27, 2021 |date=April 18, 2020}}
}}
State of Deception is the fifth studio album by the Norwegian progressive metal band, Conception. It is the band's first album in two decades with new material, and was released on 3 April 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/conception-to-release-state-of-deception-album-in-april/|title=CONCEPTION To Release 'State Of Deception' Album in April|publisher=Blabbermouth|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=February 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/conception-to-release-first-studio-album-in-over-20-years-state-of-deception-details-revealed|title=CONCEPTION To Release First Studio Album In Over 20 Years; State of Deception Details Revealed|publisher=BraveWords|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=February 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/news/conception-announces-first-album-two-decades-state-deception/|title=CONCEPTION Announces First Album in Two Decades, "State of Deception" to Arrive in April|publisher=Sonic Perspectives|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=February 20, 2020}}
A music video for "No Rewind" was released on 22 May 2021.{{cite web |title=CONCEPTION Featuring Former KAMELOT Vocalist ROY KHAN Release Official Video For "No Rewind" |url=https://bravewords.com/news/conception-featuring-former-kamelot-vocalist-roy-khan-release-official-video-for-no-rewind |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=24 May 2021 |language=en |date=22 May 2021}} On 6 June 2021, Conception announced that they would be releasing an expanded edition of the album in 2022, featuring live tracks, re-recordings and new songs.{{cite web |title=CONCEPTION To Release Expanded Edition Of State Of Deception Comeback Album In 2022; Live Version Of "Cry" Streaming |url=https://bravewords.com/news/conception-to-release-expanded-edition-of-state-of-deception-comeback-album-in-2022-live-version-of-cry-streaming |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=en}}
Critical reception
Alan Cox, a reporter from Sonic Perspectives rated the album 8.1 out of 10, and stated: "State of Deception is not a perfect record. For one, it’s too short. And it could benefit from a couple more killer tracks. But both Khan and Østby provide their really unique 'voices' to deliver something that stands out for flares of uniqueness. It’s a record that requires multiple listens in headphones to fully appreciate for both the songwriting and production, and while it leaves the listener with a whetted appetite more than a fully satisfied stomach, there’s certainly enough to make those who missed Khan and Østby smile. And eagerly wonder what might be coming next."
Track listing
{{tracklist
|headline = State of Deception track listing(2020). "State of Deception liner notes". In State of Deception [CD booklet]. Conception Sound Factory.
| title1 = in: Deception
| writer1 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length1 = 1:46
| title2 = Of Raven and Pigs
| writer2 = T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal
| length2 = 4:45
| title3 = Waywardly Broken
| writer3 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length3 = 4:38
| title4 = No Rewind
| writer4 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length4 = 3:11
| title5 = The Mansion
| writer5 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length5 = 4:35
| note5 = feat. Elize Ryd
| title6 = By the Blues
| writer6 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length6 = 3:59
| title7 = Anybody Out There
| writer7 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length7 = 5:25
| title8 = She Dragoon
| writer8 = T.Østby/Roy Khan/Heimdal
| length8 = 4:56
| title9 = Feather Moves
| note9 = Remastered
| writer9 = T.Østby/Roy Khan
| length9 = 6:04
|total_length = 39:19
}}
{{tracklist
|headline = Disc two (Deluxe edition bonus tracks)
| title1 = Roll the Fire 2.0
| length1 = 4:41
| title2 = Silent Crying 2.0
| length2 = 4:22
| title3 = Monument in Time
| length3 = 6:43
| title4 = Your Own Lullaby (For Matilda)
| length4 = 3:32
| title5 = Cry
| note5 = Live
| length5 = 5:53
| title6 = Gethsemane
| note6 = Live
| length6 = 5:08
| title7 = A Virtual Lovestory
| note7 = Live
| length7 = 3:49
| title8 = Reach Out
| note8 = Live
| length8 = 3:44
| title9 = A Million Gods
| note9 = Live
| length9 = 7:47
| title10 = Flow
| note10 = Live
| length10 = 5:58
| title11 = Roll the Fire
| note11 = Demo
| length11 = 5:36
}}
=Notes=
- The Japanese release of the album features two discs, with the second disc including the band's EP, My Dark Symphony.
Personnel
All information from the album booklet.
Band members
- Roy Khan – vocals
- Tore Østby – guitars, keyboards, bass on "Feather Moves"
- Ingar Amlien – bass on tracks 1–8
- Arve Heimdal – drums
Additional musicians
- Elize Ryd – guest vocals on "The Mansion"
- Miro – keyboards on "in: Deception", "No Rewind", "The Mansion" and "Anybody Out There"
- Lars Andre Kvistum – keyboards, piano on "Waywardly Broken" and "The Mansion"
- Lars Christian Narum – organ, mellotron on "Of Raven and Pigs", "By the Blues", "Anybody Out There" and "She Dragoon"
- Aurora Amalie Heimdal – guest vocals on "She Dragoon", backing vocals on tracks 3, 6 and 7
Production
- Seth Siro Anton – artwork
- Gustavo Sazes – layout, design
- Nils Harald Mæhlum – engineering
- Tore Østby – engineering
- John Anders Narum – engineering
- Leif Johansen – engineering
- Stefan Glaumann – mixing
- Svante Forsbäck – mastering
- Lars Lanhead – photography
Charts
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Sales chart performance for State of Deception |
| scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Switzerland|75|artist=Conception|album=State of Deception|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 15, 2020}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Conception}}
{{Authority control}}