FOOL’S GAME is the brain-child of guitarist/song-writer Matt Crooks. Having been part of the long running band Division that had released three CDs and played hundreds of shows, he decided to leave the band he founded to pursue new musical directions. Without any preconceived ideas for direction he was able to write songs purely for his own enjoyment, and not for any specific market or sound.
After a few songs had been written, Crooks played them for Matt Johnsen (PHARAOH) who just about to record a new CD at Crooks’ MCR Studios. Johnsen expressed an interest in participating in the project and began to help search for other musicians.
Crooks and Johnsen discussed several drummers, but John Macaluso (STARBREAKER, ex-Yngwie, ex-ARK) was the first name that came up in any conversation. Johnsen saw Macaluso at a summer cookout and approached him about the project. Macaluso expressed interest in the project as well, and after hearing a demo of the songs agreed to participate.
The next step was to find a singer for the project. A long time participant in the US progressive and power metal scene, Crooks began contacting the friends he had made through the years. A few emails to Intromental Management and a few demo songs later, Lars Larsen (MANTICORA) signed up for the project.
The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Crooks contacted his good friend Nick van Dyk (REDEMPTION) about playing keyboards for the project. Nick was very excited about the band, and quickly agreed to be a part of it.
Once the recording sessions began it was clear that this was no longer a one man project. Each member was given free reign to expand on the songs, and each contributed their own touch to the songs. Johnsen’s melodic solos and harmonies highlight the songs When Beginning Meets the End and Field of Dreams. Macaluso’s jazz inspired drumming brings a rhythmic texture to The Wilds Swans at Coole that is seldom heard in power metal. Crooks’ bass and rhythm guitar are in complete lock-step with Macaluso, providing the perfect foundation for VanDyk’s keyboards, which weave in and out of the songs, at times adding atmosphere and other times a definite progressive twist. However, the clear stand out of FOOL’S GAME are the impassioned vocals of Larsen. In one of the best performances of his career, Larsen delivers melodies that are memorable, immediate and dripping with raw emotion.
Reality Divine features nine tracks of progressive tinged power metal that is sure to please fans of both genres. With tracks ranging from the epic The Conquer Worm, which features a guest appearance by vocalist Tim Aymar (CONTROL DENIED, PHARAOH), to the straight forward power of Mass Psychosis, to the emotive Sowing Dead Seeds, the debut from FOOL’S GAME is one not to be missed.
Mass Psychosis makes me happy. Very happy. Unruly happy. My progressive nipples are all hard with power. Diamonds have no chance against these nipples.
I need to hear the rest of these tasty tunes brothers!
hi! iam wolfgang the guitarist of dreamscape. we should learn to be the best persons we can be and our world will change. i try. but it's not as easy as playing guitar in a high class band...
H. Jackson Brown: Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece -- by thought, choice, courage, and determination.
kind regards! DREAMSCAPE (progressive metal from germany) (new cd september 2009! - buy or let die!)
How do you do my friend? we hope everything is ok, just passing to say hello. We have been desconnected for a time, but now we are back. Right now we are prepairing and mastering new songs that soon will be uploaded to MySpace. We kindly invite you to visit now our page and vote our songs (a window with a coloured guitar) or sign in "My Guestbook"(just below the other one). We wish you a wonderful week and waiting for good news, KEEP METAL ALIVE. DN.
SALUDOS Y GRACIAS POR EL ADD, ESPERAMOS VERNOS PRONTO UN ABRAZO. THANK BY THE ADD, A GREETING FROM COLOMBIA. VOZ MUERTA 2009 GREETINGS BROTHERS AND LISTENING TO INVITE THE THEME OF ALBUM DEBUT AMORTYS "VOZ MUERTA AND ATRAVEZANDO LA OSCURIDAD", "VOZ MUERTA" OF "FANTASMAS DE DOLOR"
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