This band described as the Dark Minstrel Metal wildcard, was formed under the mysterious moniker of EVIL MASQUERADE in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2003, by the Swedish axeman Henrik Flyman after the demise of his past project MOAHNI MOHANA. After their acclaimed & excellent sixth release "Digital Crucifix" -published circa 2014- raising the quality level bar very up... In fact, since the early incarnation of the band including the exROYAL HUNT vocalist Henrik Brockmann in the line-up, the style was more or less the same, deeply rooted in the RAINBOW/BLACK SABBATH/DIO tradition, now still evolving in the same sonic vein but this time perhaps updated by a more edgy temper!

Anyway, the EVIL MASQUERADE team continue their quest to perfection, and by creating a kind of concept album with specific impersonated character and reinforced by the obviously valid multi singers method, once again this diverse timeless melodic Heavy Metal is set in the dark Scandinavian mood, their weird and twisted universe is more than ever polarized around quirky colors, mostly darkened by the atmospheric tendencies related with mental disorder. The prestigious elated cast of contributing guest singers, deeply involved in "The Outcast Hall Of Fame" looks like a complete who's who of the talented contemporary Swedish scene or an exhaustive inventory of the best voices from the Nordic Lands!

The former MAJESTIC/FIREWIND singer, now frontman for SPIRITUAL BEGGARS Appollo Papathanasio (ancient EVIL MASQUERADE's main singer in the album "Third Act" in 2006 and for 2012's "Pentagram") makes his glorious return with also the usual suspects, such as ex-AT VANCE/THUNDERSTONE/MASTERPLAN's Rick ALTZI (notably in a thrilling emotionnal interpretation in the great "One Thousand Roses And A Lot Of Pain") and, yes absolutely, the almighty Mats Leven (TREAT/YJM's RISING FORCE/CANDLEMASS) - easily reaching the rousing climax in "Darkness (I Need You)"- who both possess a great pedigree and a strong career as well as a well deserved international reputation for being rated rigorously as immense singers.

Another fact, that could be a revelation for a wider audience, is the magnificent input by young rising star vocalist Nicklas Sonne... Obviously by revealing again himself as one the best hope, an outstanding confirmation after his current superb works for MALRUN/SECTION A and to ratify my recent enthusiastic complete approval for the recommended CD titled "Excluded" by DEFECTO (9 out of 10). This young performer is once again under the spotlights of fame, ready to uphold with this new role as live front-man for EVIL MASQUERADE but mostly his stupendous ease in performing some of the finest vocals in the highlight tracks for this new concept-studio album by Henrik Flyman & Co... Really in coherence with my praise and as a validation of my expertise vision, indeed with another superb interpretations for both "Lost Inside A World Of Fear" and "The Spineless", there is no doubt left about his future sucess with such a powerful musical potential. Veteran Danish musician, the legendary Yenz Leonhardt (STORMWARRIOR/LACRIMOSA/ex-GEISHA/ex-IRON SAVIOR) is also providing impressive backing vocals to lock the loop between the new generation and oldest talent from Scandinavia.

Henrik of course is the main man here, controlling directing and composing seven tracks, producing and of course playing some impressive lead guitar solos which are his natural prerogatives, but most of all, his priority is imposing his artistic vision, his mark, his sound, the same Melodic footprint that we found in his past bands like WUTHERING HEIGHTS, but also, in the the criminally underrated- ZOOL (like the recommended 2002 self titled album). Once again, I believe that the creativity is limitless here. The concept isn't easy to catch at first, but the disc will slowly expose his coherence in an obscure density, a rollercoaster of dramatic sensations from Tragic moods/Creepy moments/Moody flavors/Cryptic philosophical meaning with complex stylistic variations ("Death Of God") and a few unexpected schizophrenic structures (the epic "On No Way To Broadway")!

The album is superbly produced by Flyman himself in collaboration with the skilled mixing engineer and highly reputable Tommy Hansen (PRETTY MAIDS/HELLOWEEN/FATE/TNT/JORN) in his very own Jailhouse Studios based in Denmark; I think that you exactly know what to expect. The whole recording is enhanced by a smart savoir faire, set in an ultra dynamic yet organic and powerful sonic design! The funeral song composed in 1790 by Carl Michael Bellman is the most anguishing moment; this cover is a creepy number, which is sung only by the ex-MOAHNI MOAHNA guitar player Mister Flyman in his Swedish native mother tongue (surprising ! Even if CANDELMASS already recorded a version in English -"Epistle n°81" from famous "Ancient Dreams"- in 1988)

EVIL MASQUERADE is the best archetype of the first class Scandinavian Melodic Metal with theatrical antics quirky and baroque intercourse and a few psychedelic arrangements in the timeless aforementioned tradition of Melodic Doom. The perfect listening companion to this "The Outcast Hall Of Fame" could be the recent compilation "10 Years In The Dark" which celebrate and display the whole EVIL MASQUERADE history with an authentic and pertinent sense of sagacity in the running list selection.

The only low point in my humble opinion is the total absence of the latest skilled singer Tobias Jansson (SAFFIRE/THE LAW/ex-ANGEL BLAKE)in this recording...I believe it could have been very interesting to hear him confronted with the other lead singers, but I suppose that his defect was another wise and matured decision by visionary and mastermind Henrik Flyman. In consequence once again, his master vision was perfectly executed by this new team composed of old and new collaborators working in perfect unity under the flag of the Dark Minestrel!