Delusion Squared is a French trio doing prog metal, but with a story line that puts it in a completely different category of music. The story is done in English, but the tale is universal, it talks about religion, society, politics, technology and our ultimate fate. And, it’s a story worth telling. It sure took on some special meaning for me last week as I was listening to it while driving through Tennessee during some of the worst killer storms in the history of the Southeast United States. It was as if Mother Nature was reinforcing the message that is at the core of the CD:

The music is delivered by Lorraine Young (vocals, guitars), Steve Francis (guitars, drums, keyboards) and Emmanuel de Saint Meen (bass, keyboards). And there’s a lot of music, with many styles. And those styles reflect the many themes that pass through the music. The CD is broken into four parts: Remembrance, Delusion, Enlightenment, Legacy, interestingly viewed as R D E L or "ordeal" maybe. And it tells a story of a time in the not too distant future when mankind has destroyed its environment, its home, and, in many ways, its soul. It’s a Post-Apocalyptic land, where mankind has retreated to an arcology, blocking out the horror outside. However, some have remained outside in this polluted environment and are considered "outliers" from the higher form of humanity residing inside. Those on the inside are run by Artificial Intelligence agents organized into corporations, and they provide an artificial life for the inhabitants. Our heroine, however, rebels against this status quo, finally resolving to give birth to a natural child. She finds a rogue gene hacker who agrees to tamper her DNA, and she became pregnant. She is, unfortunately, betrayed and the AIs charge her with genetic piracy. She is beaten, the unborn child destroyed, and she is taken out of the arcology to the outer world where she is left to die. There she is found and taken in by the "outsiders". The rest of the CD chronicles her life and accomplishments, which are expanded when the residents of the arcology decide to leave earth and move to a different planet. The story concludes with the death of the woman, who has taught the remaining people of earth to love and respect their environment and to use the knowledge of the abandoned arcologys to better both themselves and their polluted land. Upon her death, she is described as "the Mother of all people".

It’s a great science fiction tale, and a greater lyrical journey. Although the lyrics can have a slight French accent at times and can be a little difficult to understand, the entire story with all lyrics is available on the website and the story is included in the CD jacket. And the music is a fine interpretation of the story; haunting at times, thundering when appropriate, touching when called for. Clearly, a lot of thought went into the production in terms of how to structure the music, how to interweave the vocals, which instruments to use to convey a feeling. Don’t expect to see this one done live, it’s not that kind of music. This is a literary experience put to music; it is not a selection of songs intended to be presented to a live audience.

The work begins with the first section, Remembrance which consists of two selections; The Very Day and In My Time of Dying. This sets the stage for the work, defining the magic world of the arcologys. The music is a blend of progressive rock and some interesting acoustic guitar, with the vocals taking a quiet ride that leads to some interesting keyboard work, somewhat ethereal in nature but quiet and reserved. The second selection, and no, it’s not a cover of Led Zeppelin, again begins slowly. Here we get a description of the AI dominated world of the arcology.

Musically, this is one of the stronger sounds on the CD. It covers a world of music, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, multiple keyboards. The song builds over its 6 minute running time, starting softly, then moving to a spoken vocal and finally evolving into crushing metal. The desperation of the message concludes with pounding guitars over a surging drum that is hard to ignore.

The second section is Delusion, consisting of the songs Copyrighted Genes, The Betrayal, Sentenced and By the Lake (Mourning). Each has its own flavor and seems to be an entirely correct musical interpretation of the events being described. And the lyrics match the intensity. In Copyrighted Genes we hear:

Enlightenment is the third selection. Songs include By the Lake (Seeding), Rebirth, and What We Will Be. Again, the music is perfectly matched to the theme being presented. By the Lake is a beautiful song, one that captures the growth of humanity within a decimated world. We don’t get a Tarja opera soprano in this work, it’s a different approach, but the vocal does have a refinement that tends to capture the musical needs of the moment.

The final section is Legacy, including the songs The Departure and A Creation Myth. Here we are told about the departure from earth and the reclamation that follows. And that final selection is a masterpiece. We get a wealth of musical style, multiple instruments and vocal components. And the story is brought together in a fitting conclusion:

You don’t get this type of music often. But, it’s hard not to appreciate it. Of course, the science fiction fans will love it. And the environmentalists have never heard it better argued. But, in the final analysis, this is a work of art, musically, lyrically and in terms of the message. It’s perfect in just so many ways.

10 / 10