The Fiction Maze

The Fiction Maze is the fourth studio album by Swedish power metal band Persuader.[9] The band describes the album as "the perfect mix of everything we've done so far, expanded on the Persuader sound while keeping the core that is the band" and "a beast of an album, the true pinnacle of our career so far."[10] In an interview with Swedish newspaper Västerbottens-Kuriren, Emil noted that the album is "a little more aggressive and a little heavier" than their previous work.[11] The album is Persuader's first release in seven years.

The Fiction Maze
Studio album by
Persuader
ReleasedDecember 25, 2013 (JP)
January 17, 2014 (EU)
January 21, 2014 (US)
RecordedGarageland Studios, Umeå
(rhythm guitars, mixing)[1]
GenrePower metal, heavy metal
Length52:43
LabelInner Wound Recordings
Persuader chronology
When Eden Burns
(2006)		 The Fiction Maze
(2014)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal Temple[2]
The Monolith[3]
Sputnikmusic[4]
Sound Scape[5]
Hollywood Metal[6]
Hard Rock Heaven[7]
Powermetal.de[8]

On September 11, 2013, Persuader announced they had signed with Inner Wound Recordings.[10]

Background

The album experienced multiple delays in its recording and anticipated release date. The band had been working on the album since at least May 2008,[12] and cites personal lives and work with Savage Circus and other projects,[13] as factors in the repeated delays.

In an interview with HighWire Daze, Efraim explains the theme behind the album:

The maze idea can be applied to most of the lyrics, but it’s not necessary a concept album. The idea is that finding the real truth in things, whether it’s in religion, the news on TV or your own mindset can be like finding your way through a labyrinth.[14]

Recording

According to Persuader's studio blog, the album has been recorded in multiple locations.[15] One of which is described as, "an old haunted house just by the shore of the mighty Kvarken... It's cold, dark and pretty filthy so the ambience for the new album is set."[16]

On the band's previous two albums, Piet Sielck of Iron Savior contributed backing vocals. For this album however, the band decided to have Emil and Efraim do the backing vocals. The result, according to the band, is a rawer sound compared to their previous two records.[17] Previews were released on the band's studio diary. "Son of Sodom's" working title was "Behemoth", and is a heavier track.[18] "Deep In the Dark" shows "a bit softer and atmospheric side of Persuader."[19]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."One Lifetime"4:26
2."War"4:24
3."The Fiction Maze"5:08
4."Deep in the Dark"5:31
5."InSect"4:05
6."Son of Sodom"5:48
7."Sent to the Grave"4:58
8."Heathen"6:15
9."Dagon Rising"1:27
10."Worlds Collide"5:30
11."Falling Faster"5:11
Japanese bonus track
No.TitleLength
12."Aftermath"4:04

Personnel

References
  1. "Persuader ”One Lifetime”". Metal Sound. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
  2. "Persuader – The Fiction Maze". Metal Temple. 12-3-2013. Retrieved 12-3-2013.
  3. "REVIEW: PERSUADER – THE FICTION MAZE | The Monolith". The Monolith. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
  4. "Persuader – The Fiction Maze (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
  5. "Persuader – The Fiction Maze Review | Soundscape Magazine". Sound Scape. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
  6. "Album Review: Persuader – The Fiction Maze | Hollywood MetalHollywood Metal". Hollywood Metal. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
  7. "Persuader | The Fiction Maze CD Review – hardrockhaven.net". Hard Rock Heaven. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
  8. "Persuader | The Fiction Maze Review – powermetal.de". Powermetal.de. 17-01-2014. Retrieved 28-12-2014.
  9. "Persuader To Release 'The Fiction Maze' In January". Blabbermouth.net. 11-20-2013. Retrieved 11-22-2013.
  10. "Persuader Signs With Inner Wound Recordings". Blabbermouth.net. 9-11-2013. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
  11. "Emil Norberg Interview". Västerbottens-Kuriren. 2-17-2012. Retrieved 11-24-2013.
  12. "Persuader To Enter Studio In May". Metalunderground.com. 2-2-2008. Retrieved 11-24-2013.
  13. "Persuader Homepage, News from 09-09-11". Retrieved 11-23-2013.
  14. "Persuader: Navigating The Fiction Maze". HighWire Daze. 1-9-2014. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
  15. "Persuader Studio Diary 09/10". Blogspot. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
  16. "Ok, so the story begins...". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 9-18-2009. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
  17. "Persuader Album Update". Facebook. 2-23-2013. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
  18. "Behemoth – Clip". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 5-21-2010. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
  19. "New Song". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 5-6-2010. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
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