Zero Illusions
Oblivion
ZI Productions

Predictable! Within two seconds -- literally -- of the bass intro kicking off on this album I can tell exactly how the riff's going to develop. Hoping for a pleasant surprise, however, is short-lived. The riff does, indeed, pan out exactly as I had imagined; as does the entire song. Not a good start. By third track, "Who you are", this has become a cringeworthy affair, not only because of having to endure a poor attempt at some sort of Zakk Wylde in-rhythm pinching, but also due to what can best be described as a collection of schoolboy riffs. "Honesty" almost redeems itself with a decent chorus reminiscent of something on Anthrax's "The sound of white noise", but the remainder of the song is entirely forgettable. Guys, I'm really sorry, but this isn't doing it for me at all. As you say in the song "Get out", I've tried to understand. And in all the metal that I have reviewed this year alone, within every subgenre under the sun, this is down there with the worst of them. It's not for the lack of effort, I'm sure, but if one positive thing is to be taken from this it's that there's obvious potential here. Closer "Enemy within" is actually well done and easily the best on the album. Too little too late this time, but it's more attention to detail and composition in the future that could find Zero Illusions release something noteworthy.
- John Norby