CIRCUS MAXIMUS was born in Norway in 2000 by the long time band-mates Michael Eriksen (vocals), Mats Haugen (guitar) and his brother Truls (drums). The lineup took its final and complete form after the addition of Espen Storo (keyboards) (who was replaced by Espen Storo) and Glen Cato Mollen (bass guitar). The band proved to be most energetic since they've recorded two demos and released their debut full length album The 1st Chapter in the summer of 2005, through Frontiers Records in Europe and through Sensory Records for the rest of the world. The band built its reputation through a great deal of gigs and festivals besides famous acts like Jorn, KAMELOT, PAGAN'S MIND and Glenn Hughes, to name a few.
So, CIRCUS MAXIMUS are ready to place the second addition in their back catalogue under the title Isolate that is scheduled to hit the stores in 31st of August. Musically, the new album belongs to the Progressive Metal category while it flirts with the European Power Metal genre. Actually, the band's influences can be easily distinguished after a couple of hearings. I mean, the vocals have been deeply affected by the emotional performance of  Geoff Tate in the latest QUEENSRYCHE albums with some finishing touches that look towards James LaBrie's (DREAM THEATER) directions especially in the high pitches.
To prove my saying you can check the tracks A Darkened Mind and Abyss that outline the aforementioned resemblances. The European Power Metal finish has to do with the catchy guitar hooks and the uplifting melodies. Adding to that, the band has stayed away from long in time duration songs and useless guitar or keyboard wordiness with over-sophisticated soloing.Arrival Of Love was a surprise for me bearing a PRETTY MAIDS atmosphere in means of keyboard rhythm melodies, crystal clear old-time high pitched vocals and the really catchy chorus. The emotional and piano based power ballad Zero has a mid 80s atmosphere during the glory and long gone days of the Hair Spray Metal scene. The idea of bringing that retro sound besides the Progressive composing pattern has created an almost personal sound for the Norwegians and definitely gave them some additional points to the overall grading. To top things off, Tommy Hansen has done an excellent work in the sound production that perfectly balances power and melody.
So, if you are a die-hard Progressive Metal fan go ahead and check this album out because definitely you won't be disappointed; the rest of us, we should give CIRCUS MAXIMUS a chance and probably some additional CD spins since there is more to discover under the Progressive Metal crust.