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The Fiction Maze

The Fiction Maze

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal Temple8/10 stars[2]
The Monolith9/10 stars[3]
Sputnikmusic3.5/5 stars[4]
Sound Scape10/10 stars[5]
Hollywood Metal8/10 stars[6]
Hard Rock Heaven8/10 stars[7]
Powermetal.de8.5/10 stars[8]

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.

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

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)

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

Personnel

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.metal-sound.net"Persuader ”One Lifetime”". Metal Sound. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.metal-temple.com"Persuader – The Fiction Maze". Metal Temple. 12-3-2013. Retrieved 12-3-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.themonolith.com"REVIEW: PERSUADER – THE FICTION MAZE | The Monolith". The Monolith. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.sputnikmusic.com"Persuader – The Fiction Maze (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.soundscapemagazine.com"Persuader – The Fiction Maze Review | Soundscape Magazine". Sound Scape. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[6]
Citation Linkhollywoodmetal.com"Album Review: Persuader – The Fiction Maze | Hollywood MetalHollywood Metal". Hollywood Metal. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[7]
Citation Linkhardrockhaven.net"Persuader | The Fiction Maze CD Review – hardrockhaven.net". Hard Rock Heaven. 19-04-2014. Retrieved 19-04-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[8]
Citation Linkpowermetal.de"Persuader | The Fiction Maze Review – powermetal.de". Powermetal.de. 17-01-2014. Retrieved 28-12-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.blabbermouth.net"Persuader To Release 'The Fiction Maze' In January". Blabbermouth.net. 11-20-2013. Retrieved 11-22-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.blabbermouth.net"Persuader Signs With Inner Wound Recordings". Blabbermouth.net. 9-11-2013. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.vk.se"Emil Norberg Interview". Västerbottens-Kuriren. 2-17-2012. Retrieved 11-24-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.metalunderground.com"Persuader To Enter Studio In May". Metalunderground.com. 2-2-2008. Retrieved 11-24-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[13]
Citation Linkpersuader.nu"Persuader Homepage, News from 09-09-11". Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[14]
Citation Linkhighwiredaze.com"Persuader: Navigating The Fiction Maze". HighWire Daze. 1-9-2014. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[15]
Citation Linkpersuaderstudio.blogspot.com"Persuader Studio Diary 09/10". Blogspot. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[16]
Citation Linkpersuaderstudio.blogspot.com"Ok, so the story begins...". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 9-18-2009. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.facebook.com"Persuader Album Update". Facebook. 2-23-2013. Retrieved 1-11-2014.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[18]
Citation Linkpersuaderstudio.blogspot.com"Behemoth – Clip". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 5-21-2010. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[19]
Citation Linkpersuaderstudio.blogspot.com"New Song". Persuader Studio Diary, Blogspot. 5-6-2010. Retrieved 11-23-2013.
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.metal-sound.net"Persuader ”One Lifetime”"
Sep 28, 2019, 2:27 AM