Evergrey - Torn

[Ascension]

Bands only look to make such a transition when they've grown bored with what they had been doing.

Not necessarily. Most do it to try & garner a corner of the market...ie mall crowd, alternasuck bunch, etc. And in doing so find they don't reach them & end up borderline alienating their established fanbase.


I'm liking Torn...it's refreshing after the barely tolerable MMA (established fanbase? lol). What I'm catching is the subtleties with the keys & guitar lines that are used to weave in & out on some of the songs. Plus, Tom does bare his soul again. There are "I wish they wouldn't do that" moments...but that can be said about every release by any band out there.

 

[actordude]

Amen Zod!! You just got me stoked for seeing Kai and the boys in October!

 

[jaimek]

Agreed. Guys like Glenn and Bear, who just love Evergrey, will probably be all over this disc. To me, this is The Inner Circle, but not as good.

I probably only fall a step or two below Glenn and Bear in being an Evergrey fangirl (you know what I mean, shush!). "Fail" didn't get me *totally* excited, but then neither did "A Touch of Blessing" and TIC ended up being one of my favorite discs from them.

However, I have so far managed to resist the temptation to download Torn...

 

[AngraRULES]

I like this a lot more than Monday Morning Apocalypse, but that's not saying much.

However, I still expected a lot more from this release based on the hype created. I was hoping for a return to the good old Evergrey days (imo), but it didn't happen. Too bad.

 

[VenomGA]

Well, I'm not sure what I said to give you that impression, but you're certainly welcome to your opinion about my opinion.

Zod

You just seem to think your opinion matters more than anyone else's and we should all listen to you. How about not just commenting if you really don;t like an album for once???

 

[Comic Book Dude]

What the heck does "the good old days" mean in reference to Evergrey? I guess that there must be something wrong with my ears, 'cos to me, Evergrey hasn't deviated from their style at all. Yeah, the production sounded different on MMA (IMO a kick-ass cd, like all the rest!), but the song writing remains the same. Englund has a writing style that has been there from the beginning. It's not like what Dokken did with Shadowlife; that was a horrific change of direction. Same with Queensryche's Hear In The Now Frontier. I guess I'll keep shaking my head in amazement over these discussions about Evergrey........

 

[rms]

You just seem to think your opinion matters more than anyone else's and we should all listen to you. How about not just commenting if you really don;t like an album for once???

 

[General Zod]

You just seem to think your opinion matters more than anyone else's and we should all listen to you.

As I said, you're certainly welcome to your opinion. I state things the way I see them. You can agree, disagree or ignore me.

How about not just commenting if you really don;t like an album for once???

It's a discussion forum. I chime in on those subjects that interest me. Given that Evergrey was a band I was very into at one point, I joined the conversation.

Zod

 

[DreamThief]

Preface: I love Evergrey and I love Torn.

Zod: I'm going to use two examples that you've used with other bands.

Symphony X -- Paradise Lost: A band that has been moving away from being a Progressive Metal band and is becoming just a Metal band. And that's OK because they are still a kick ass Metal band. I think Evergrey has begun a similar transition. They still have a few progressive moments but their song structures have become more basic over the last few albums. So what if they aren't as progressive, they still write dark, catchy, melodic, emotion-dripping metal. If being progressive was someones biggest factor for liking them, then I can understand how MMA and Torn might seem dull and uninspired.

Iced Earth -- The Crucible of Man: You said if some unknown band released that album that it would be a huge hit around these parts. I think the same would be true of Torn. It's probably true of most popular bands and their 5th or 6th albums. At that point everyone has a mindset of what "Band X" should sound like, and when they don't sound like that the "OMGZ!1!!!1!" come out. It doesn't matter if the album is different but still good, it's all about expectations, which is what new bands don't have.

 

[General Zod]

Zod: I'm going to use two examples that you've used with other bands.

Iced Earth -- The Crucible of Man: You said if some unknown band released that album that it would be a huge hit around these parts. I think the same would be true of Torn. It's probably true of most popular bands and their 5th or 6th albums. At that point everyone has a mindset of what "Band X" should sound like, and when they don't sound like that the "OMGZ!1!!!1!" come out. It doesn't matter if the album is different but still good, it's all about expectations, which is what new bands don't have.

Your point is well taken. I think the difference, at least for me, is Evergrey has a very distinct sound. Consequently, they're more prone to sound like they're repeating themselves. The other factor is, I just don't find the songs compelling. When the disc is over, I don't feel the need to queue up any of the songs a second time. Had this disc been identical to any of their past releases, but with great songs, I would care less if it didn't sound like they were breaking new ground. But again, the songs on Torn just don't do it for me.

As always, different strokes...

Zod

 

[VenomGA]

As I said, you're certainly welcome to your opinion. I state things the way I see them. You can agree, disagree or ignore me.

It's a discussion forum. I chime in on those subjects that interest me. Given that Evergrey was a band I was very into at one point, I joined the conversation.

Zod

I have ignored you for a long time, but your holier than thou attitude/opinions are beginning to wear very thin.

 

[No Username]

I have ignored you for a long time, but your holier than thou attitude/opinions are beginning to wear very thin.

I wish people would stop thinking Zod has a holier-than-thou attitude. His opinion just happens to be stated with confidence, and that has nothing to do with your possible insecurities.

That said, I disagree with Zod about half the time but then I disagree with most people half the time. That does not make him holier than thou. It makes him just like everyone else.

Or can't you see that?

Lastly, I think this is the 2nd best album I have heard this year, and anyone who disagrees with my opinion can kiss my big black ass!

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

Lastly, I think this is the 2nd best album I have heard this year, and anyone who disagrees with my opinion can kiss my big black ass!

And for sake of discussion..... What is album #1 of the year?

And any time you use that line, you need to finish with "Pucker up, Buttercup!!!"

 

[mloanna]

It seems a few cd's have not been so stellar this year. I have not and will not download Torn because I have pre-ordered it. Going by the reviews here it seems that most Evergrey fans like the older material over the newer (MMA & now Torn). I happen to like everything the band has put out and what I have heard of Torn and just see the music changes as the band evolving. With the member changes that Evergrey has gone through it must be understood that sound will be different and it seems that with every cd and tour, someone is new in the band. That does effect a lot but I think Tom is doing to his best.

Torn, I am sure is not as big a disappointment as Nostradamus by Priest though. I am a HUGE FAN of all Priest with Halford. After the cd that came out when he returned being an excellent cd I was expecting Nostradamus to be just as great. Don't get me wrong some of the news songs are good but only one or two has stood out and this being a 2cd set. My only real problem is did it really need to be two cd's?? Regardless Priest still rules, Nostradamus is said to be a concept and something they wanted to do so go figure.

Either way, when Evergrey tours again, I am sure we will all support the tour. Just like most of us are going to the Judas Priest/Heaven and Hell hitting spots now. Good or bad at least they are all still making music.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

Nostradamus rules..... Monday Morning Apocalypse rules...... It's a lonely thing to love these cd's. sigh

 

[es156]

Nostradamus rules..... Monday Morning Apocalypse rules...... It's a lonely thing to love these cd's. sigh

Shadowlife rules.

 

[AMBR]

You just seem to think your opinion matters more than anyone else's and we should all listen to you. How about not just commenting if you really don;t like an album for once???

Zod's opinions used to tweak me just a bit years ago when I first started reading this forum, but now I look forward to them. While I agree only half the time, or maybe less, his evaluations are well thought out and based on honest assessment of the music not some nebulous fan loyalty or preconceived prejudice. You may see his posts as arrogant, but it's really more of a confident, intelligent air. And he's always willing to admit when he's wrong.

I pretty much agree, Zod. Solid disc, but I definately get the 'been there done that' feeling. I don't plan on shelving it quite yet, but I don't quite feel the Evergrey thrill I used to.

While I've only hear the released single, I have to agree in part. It's definitely got that familiar feel to it with nothing fresh, but I love that Evergrey sound, so I'll definitely buy it.

Bands only look to make such a transition when they've grown bored with what they had been doing. However, after the failure of MMA, Evergrey had no other option than to return to the formula they seemed eager to abandon. Consequently, Torn is paint-by-numbers Evergrey, that even during its strongest moments leaves the listener with a "been there, done that" feeling. There's nothing flat out awful here. However, there's also almost nothing compelling.

I'm afraid there's an awful lot of truth in that statement. "Paint-by-numbers Evergrey" is a good way to express the vibe I got from the first song. Have to hear more to change my opinion.

 

[The Invisible Guest]

I have ignored you for a long time, but your holier than thou attitude/opinions are beginning to wear very thin.

Jeez, lighten up ... you'd think Zod pissed in your Wheaties or something. How dare he have an opinion on metal in a metal forum. The nerve of some people.

Britt

 

[VenomGA]

Jeez, lighten up ... you'd think Zod pissed in your Wheaties or something. How dare he have an opinion on metal in a metal forum. The nerve of some people.

Britt

oh I guess like Zod, others are not allowed to express their opinions???:Smug:

 

[Comic Book Dude]

Shadowlife rules.

Yikes! Your world's even more lonely than mine.