Cap Outrun – High On Deception
5/10
After a 14 year hiatus. Cap Outrun is back. It says Progressive (and melodic) metal in the promotion material. Well 50/50 anyway. And they are walking a very thin line between Progressive and 80s American radio rock in my opinion.
And as I have a hard time listening to the latter style of music I am a bit sceptical. First song ”Crazy Enough” was kind of good leaning more towards the technical style of the band.
Another feeling I get is as I said American rock radio bands from the 80s. If anything they compete with a band like Night Flight Orchestra but personally I think if they were to be compared Cap Outrun find themselves overtaken easily by NFO.
On the other hand – when they come up with a song like ”In The Shade of the Masquerade” they recapture my attention and dipping their toes in the Progressive world again. So as long as they are moving in that direction its listenable. But its dangerously close sometimes to leaning towards that streamline formed 80s rock that gives me the chills. ”Shadows On The Wall” battles for best song of the album.
Well, the album did grow on me actually. I know that the first time around is just the teaser. I always give records 3 chances no matter what. This is not an album I will go back to but if you like your Progressive rock a bit more easy listening? Then this is it!
So please boys! explore more of the progressive parts with more adventure and technicality than the songs with plastic layers over them in the future. There are when all is said and done more of those songs on the album I know . They were very close to being zoomed out and just thrown away but then at the end I could hear something that I hope they can take with them and explore a bit more.
The final and instrumental “Dopamine Overflow” might be a hint of whats to come.
Band Cap Outrun
Title High On Deception
Label Frontiers Records
Date of release 21 Melodic Rock12 10
Rate 5/10
Stand out tracks In the shade of the masquerade and as long as you believe
Country of origin Sweden
Playing time 53.10
