UMUR "Parallel Minds" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Norwegian power/progressive metal act Conception. The album was released through Noise Records in September 1993. It´s the successor to "The Last Sunset" from 1991 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as session keyboard player Hans Christian Gjestvang has now become a permanent member of the band, making Conception a quintet on "Parallel Minds".

Conception continue the power metal style with progressive metal leanings they initiated on "The Last Sunset (1991)", but "Parallel Minds" is generally a much tighter and consistent release both in quality and style. The eclectic nature of the material on the debut album had its charm, but "Parallel Minds" is definitely a step up in quality. Conception are an interesting power metal act as they use both the lighter neo-classical and sometimes symphonic elements from the Euro power metal style and the more raw and heavy elements from the US power metal style (and also the melodic US power metal, which can be heard on the Queensrÿche influenced "The Promiser") and even add a few semi-progressive elements to spice the whole thing up.

The material are very well written. Cathcy, varied, melodic, heavy, and memorable, but it´s the incredible musicianship which is the icing on the cake. Roy Khan is a world class singer with a distinct sounding powerful voice and a commanding delivery, and the instrumentalist are also very skilled musicians. The rhythm section are solid and pounding out powerful beats and basslines, and guitarist Tore Otsby can´t be praised enough for his varied playing and many intriguing ideas (check out the heavy riff and the pinch harmonics on "My Decision"), while new man Gjestvang successfully creates atmosphere and epic moments but never in an abrasive manner. This is very tasteful power metal.

"Parallel Minds" features a well sounding professional sound production. Some may find the drums a little dry sounding, but personally I enjoy the tone of the drums and the production choices made regarding the drums and the rest of the instruments and the vocals. "Parallel Minds" is upon conclusion a high quality release through and through and a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

martindavey87 'Parallel Minds', Conceptions second album, vastly improves upon its predecessor. The songwriting seems more confident, with more interesting guitar riffs, a good use of keyboards and vocal melodies that seems more in sync with the music.

Sadly however, despite a few highlights, it's still a rather forgettable record.

Song's like 'Roll the Fire', 'And I Close My Eyes', 'Water Confines' and the title track are all decent enough, but the truth is, this is nothing more than generic progressive/power metal. There's countless other things out there that are so much better and memorable, that I never find myself coming back to this.

It's not a terrible release, and it does have its moments, but ultimately, let's face it, the only reason worth buying this today is if you're a fan of Roy Khan, who's post-Conception career would see him garner worldwide fame with the band Kamelot.

Sinkadotentree This is CONCEPTION's second album released the same year as the debut in 1993. Same lineup except but they have added a keyboardist. I really like the cover art and when i compare the music here to the debut this one is much more dynamic and powerful. There doesn't seem to be a lot of love for this one i suppose because it is straight-up Prog-Metal but i'm a big fan of this style of music so it works. In fact this one doesn't stray far from the early Prog-Metal albums of the eighties. This is my favourite CONCEPTION album just over "In Your Multitude" but i haven't heard their final album "Flow" yet.