THE GREAT DECEIVER -

THE GREAT DECEIVER - A VENOM WELL DESIGNED - PEACEVILLE
Let's call this psychogroovecore. Think Moby-meets-Cororner. The Great Deceiver experiments with textures and goes through various sounds and samples. In contrast ex-At The Gates singer Tomas Lindberg delivers raw vocals which sound bare and honest. While the music seems heavily worked on, the vocals come across as unfiltered and delivered without technological intervention. The album features eleven songs which, if not for metal fans, will appeal to those looking for experimentation and texture within a plethora of sounds. Otherwise Peaceville is certainly an odd choice for Lindberg. After criticizing the label when his former band At The Gates was signed there it seems odd that he would return to the label. Perhaps time is the greatest deceiver of them all.

THE GREAT DECEIVER - TERRA INCOGNITO - PEACEVILLE
The Great Deceiver's second album is a jumbled affair. The gang lets loose on some serious crossover material before slowing down to a brooding song similar to Sentenced and then further diversifying to something resembling Marilyn Manson. It is all here!
Leaving aside the presence of non-metal sounds on Terra Incognito, the band's music is largely underwhelming. One would be hard-pressed to point out a standout moment anywhere on this disc. In other words, much like the album's cover this album leaves the listener with an empty feeling. - Ali "The Metallian"