Impressive new release from Moray band - Reviewed by Brian Banks, 15/9/05

World of Lies is the second CD release from Mind Gone Blind, and it's in the same 6-track E.P. format as their debut Time & Money. Straight from the off, with the opening intro burst of shimmering guitar on the first track Unknown, it is evident that the band have looked to build upon their brand of melodic rock that they established as their sound with their original release. 

The opener, Unknown, is a harmonious and thoughtful number, with lots of ear candy coming from the guitar licks and solos that gently complement the singing. This is a song that is lacking in immediacy, but after a few plays you're likely to find yourself drawn-in and listening to it properly, and thus fully appreciating it. In contrast, the second track No One Knows is much more direct. It's a far heavier affair fuelled by some chugging riffs which ascend and fall in complete unison to the singing. The ending to this track is spot-on, as a suspenseful tempo is built up before a final chorus. It gives me a sense of pride that a band from my local area are producing material of this caliber, because it's tracks like this that demonstrate just how much effort goes into the creating a song with a more complex structure. [Incidentally, this song is nothing like the No One Knows of QOTSA fame.]

Broken Illusion is a song that sucked me in from the first play. Lyrically I found it emotive and powerful, it's a song about moving on after a break-up and for that reason alone it makes it the kind of track that a lot of people can easily relate to. Songs of this nature can very easily fall into the trap of sounding placid and clichéd, but Mind Gone Blind get it right with strong lyrics. Percussion and guitar accents, together with some eerie keyboard sounds, work well to provide a good backing for the words. "And I stand up and smile again, and it stops me going insane, I can sit back and think, and start to dream about the times we had" - are an example of lyrics which are simple enough to interpret, and at the same time smart enough to provoke emotive imagery for the listener. 

The fourth track Alone is similar to Unknown in the sense that it didn't appeal immediately. At just over six minutes in length, it's the longest track on this CD, and it does take a few plays to get into it. But be patient and you're rewarded with a mix of suitably dramatic instrumental parts supporting the song, creating enough momentum to keep you interested. It's technically a very fine piece of melodic metal, as riffs and licks work off each other with a seamless style, creating a moody and enthralling atmosphere.

The title track World Of Lies doesn't disappoint either, it's the heaviest track of the album and also just edges it as being the strongest of the six. The title of the song sounds like it should be the name of a James Bond movie, and this track certainly wouldn't be out of place on the soundtrack of some action-packed espionage thriller. There is a lot venom and attitude behind it all, after a 30 second intro the riffing kicks in, powering the song along with some good aggressive metal, offset by some splendid guitar operatic's and solos. Lyrically this is again another strong track, and I can easily imagine these words being howled back from the centre of a mosh-pit.

From the first Mind Gone Blind E.P. I was most impressed by Evergreen, and the final track on this CD, Blind Faith, is in the same acoustic-led style. The singing from Moyes is accompanied by some sweet-sounding acoustic guitar and some light keyboard chords, then a final piano outro. The lyrics "stare at strangers, day after day, hoping the right one comes your way, dreaming of something, something to live for, night after night" are ace, wholly emotive and sung with a powerful tenderness. This classic formula of just guitar and vocals proves time and again to produce some of the best songs for artists, and in this case it adds a final dimension to the music on World Of Lies.

It is refreshing and encouraging to see more quality original music from a band in Moray, and there is definite progression here. Having already established themselves as being one of the biggest bands in this area, Mind Gone Blind can only go from strength to strength with this release.