Band : MindSplit
Album title : Charmed Human Art Of Sinificance
Label : Lion Music
Distributor : Bertus
Release date : 17/09/2010
Release : CD

Word up, y'all! Although MindSplit may be a relatively new Progressive Metal act there's a lot of experience in the band's members. In fact, the collaboration between singer H.B. Anderson and guitarist Mathias Holm harkens back to the late '80s when the duo wrote music for the band The 'n' Sin. They kinda went their own ways after that venture, but started writing stuff together again in 2003.

Which brings me to the concept of the album, and the reason for the existence of this band. You see, H.B.'s forefather Xerxes Anderson was a noted psychologist also known as Prof. Xandau, and the latter had postulated a theory about what he called the “Alternate Universe” used by several of his patients to protect themselves from the harshness of reality. By chance, H.B. found the professor's therapy session notes, read through them, and getting more and more fascinated by the subject matter of what goes on in a person's mind (as mentioned in my review of the single “Nme, Myself And I” posted August 27 of last, the album title shortens to “chaos”, which is a key word of what goes on in the minds of the clinically insane – the title itself a very clever reference to the human need to make a mark in their society), threw them on the table to Mathias, with the idea to shape a musical project around 'em. When the music was taking shape bassist Conny Payne (a veteran of the Swedish music scene, from Madison amongst others) was invited in to contribute to the project, as were the highly respected session musicians Jonas Lidström (keyboards) and Jon Skäre (drums).

Musically, you can say MindSplit found a very nice melodic balance between Classic Metal, Power Metal, and Progressive Metal, which gives rise to quite a few powerful songs, but also to a couple of tracks with a lot more restraint, even acoustics. Of course, besides the purely lyrical, the guys also allowed space for some instrumental passages  Vocally, the mind's chaos is portrayed with the aid of several voices where needed, and you'll find several elucidating spoken word passages throughout the 14-track, 75-minute album!  Gee...I dó hope the physical retail album comes with lyric sheets and possible additional liner notes! Meanwhile, those whom had been following since my review of the single may already have discovered the several tracks the band posted at myspace.com/mindsplitse...and therefore not need my pointing 'em out that's where they can listen to no less than 6 tracks off the album (wink, wink to those who still need to get acquainted with this great band!). Well, I can't help it...the combination of the great music with the way the subject it's brought...this definitely warrant's an inclusion of the album in my personal year-lists.

98/100

Tony.