For Nevermore fans "Enemies of Reality" my views on it
- Thread starter Soul of Ice
- Start date
Why do only posers not like Dead Heart?
Episteme
Member
I need more of their albums.*grumbles* I love Dreaming Neon Black, I've heard the clip to Enemies of Reality and it fucking owns all! Jeff Loomis is god 
Of course not as godly as Michael Romeo, then again they both have distinctly different styles.
Of course not as godly as Michael Romeo, then again they both have distinctly different styles.
dreamingneonblack
All about the METAL
I think Enemies is outstanding song wise. So the production isn't the greatest that they have had, but the band said that was due to the fact that money was tight from the label and Sneap was busy.....the cd still rips your face clean off, that is all that matters.
Loomis is an animal on it and Van is a brutal as ever.
If you don't pick it up it's your loss...
I love it!!! Some of the fastest shit they've done too...not that that alone makes for a great record, but in this case it helps.
Nevermore baby!!!! Hells yeah!!!!
Loomis is an animal on it and Van is a brutal as ever.
If you don't pick it up it's your loss...
I love it!!! Some of the fastest shit they've done too...not that that alone makes for a great record, but in this case it helps.
Nevermore baby!!!! Hells yeah!!!!
i think it rocks
i mean, every cd is something completely different, and this one is too...
my only "gripe" is that dane doesn't do any of the high pitched halford style screams like he does on some songs from other albums.
but it is very produced, very heavy, and very fast and complicated
i especially like some of the brief bursts that are guitar fills...
they don't overuse the guitar fills so i find myself listening to the songs many times over because of those fast complicated little fills...because they're not repeated i don't know what they are so i want to hhhear them again...
it keeps the songs interesting for a long time.
i mean, every cd is something completely different, and this one is too...
my only "gripe" is that dane doesn't do any of the high pitched halford style screams like he does on some songs from other albums.
but it is very produced, very heavy, and very fast and complicated
i especially like some of the brief bursts that are guitar fills...
they don't overuse the guitar fills so i find myself listening to the songs many times over because of those fast complicated little fills...because they're not repeated i don't know what they are so i want to hhhear them again...
it keeps the songs interesting for a long time.
theodyssey
Best Album of the Year
Not liking the production much (i still love the album, but they could have made it a little better with more time there). Still, i do own 2 copies. I got the album, then in germany i found the special edition wih dvd... i'm gonna keep both.
Demonspell
cheating the polygraph
Here's a really good review of the new album:
Hard to believe the band once known "those guys from Sanctuary" now have five full-length albums under their belts, and have been around for nearly a decade, evolving into one of the most forward-thinking American metal acts around -- scarcely "power metal" despite their melodic vocals. Hell, you'd be more accurate calling them "Swedish death except with a guy who can sing" instead -- particularly on Enemies of Reality, a record that occasionally collapses under the weight of its own brooding anger.
Following the pummeling, crystalline production of 2000's Dead Heart In a Dead World, the mix here is, frankly, a letdown. It's muffled, noisy, and clatters along at a lower volume than the other CDs in the changer -- never a good sign. Guitarist Jeff Loomis's tone is murky and muddy as well, and he's writing intense, busy, grinding riffs that scarcely leave room for Warrel Dane's vocals. Drummer Van Williams, not to be outdone, is all over the place, and between his maniacal fills and the relentless guitar, things actually get a bit exhausting in a couple of places! Dane's vocals have a manic, hysterical edge to them, a desperate madman's cry that fits the music, but again, is almost too much at times.
Not every song is intent solely on beating the listener to death Tomorrow Turned Into Yesterday and Who Decides are epic, emotional slow songs that soar, giving Dane a chance to actually belt it out a bit, though they bookmark the most chaotic tunes on the album, I Voyager and Create the Infinite. Noumenon is a weird, claustrophobic, creepy little troll of a song, seeming more like an intro to Seed Awakening than a self-contained track (although it's four-and-a-half minutes long) it feels like one of those between-song interludes like Waiting For 22 from Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime.
And then with that bit of respite out of the way, Seed Awakening closes out the record with the subtlety of a baseball bat to the kneecaps. It all comes together when the chorus kicks in (although those little quiet interludes throw it off), and this prickly, unlovable Nevermore of 2003 kinda makes sense, finally. It's opaque and distant like Dreaming Neon Black was, with a ferocious brutality that takes some getting used to but is well worth the effort.
Of course, it'd be easy to look at the 40-minute running time and blustery production and think contractual obligation (this is their final record for Century Media, and the band has made no secret of their desire to go elsewhere) but Enemies of Reality is far from a throwaway record. It's an odd left turn down a dark, trash-strewn alley, but the songs are still solid and everyone plays their asses off. It just may end up, when all is said and done, as the gloomy dark horse of the catalog, a record that gets consumed by its own intensity and anger. Definitely recommended, but be willing to give it multiple listens and let it grow on you.
Hard to believe the band once known "those guys from Sanctuary" now have five full-length albums under their belts, and have been around for nearly a decade, evolving into one of the most forward-thinking American metal acts around -- scarcely "power metal" despite their melodic vocals. Hell, you'd be more accurate calling them "Swedish death except with a guy who can sing" instead -- particularly on Enemies of Reality, a record that occasionally collapses under the weight of its own brooding anger.
Following the pummeling, crystalline production of 2000's Dead Heart In a Dead World, the mix here is, frankly, a letdown. It's muffled, noisy, and clatters along at a lower volume than the other CDs in the changer -- never a good sign. Guitarist Jeff Loomis's tone is murky and muddy as well, and he's writing intense, busy, grinding riffs that scarcely leave room for Warrel Dane's vocals. Drummer Van Williams, not to be outdone, is all over the place, and between his maniacal fills and the relentless guitar, things actually get a bit exhausting in a couple of places! Dane's vocals have a manic, hysterical edge to them, a desperate madman's cry that fits the music, but again, is almost too much at times.
Not every song is intent solely on beating the listener to death Tomorrow Turned Into Yesterday and Who Decides are epic, emotional slow songs that soar, giving Dane a chance to actually belt it out a bit, though they bookmark the most chaotic tunes on the album, I Voyager and Create the Infinite. Noumenon is a weird, claustrophobic, creepy little troll of a song, seeming more like an intro to Seed Awakening than a self-contained track (although it's four-and-a-half minutes long) it feels like one of those between-song interludes like Waiting For 22 from Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime.
And then with that bit of respite out of the way, Seed Awakening closes out the record with the subtlety of a baseball bat to the kneecaps. It all comes together when the chorus kicks in (although those little quiet interludes throw it off), and this prickly, unlovable Nevermore of 2003 kinda makes sense, finally. It's opaque and distant like Dreaming Neon Black was, with a ferocious brutality that takes some getting used to but is well worth the effort.
Of course, it'd be easy to look at the 40-minute running time and blustery production and think contractual obligation (this is their final record for Century Media, and the band has made no secret of their desire to go elsewhere) but Enemies of Reality is far from a throwaway record. It's an odd left turn down a dark, trash-strewn alley, but the songs are still solid and everyone plays their asses off. It just may end up, when all is said and done, as the gloomy dark horse of the catalog, a record that gets consumed by its own intensity and anger. Definitely recommended, but be willing to give it multiple listens and let it grow on you.
Mr. Shred-ididle
Its Chinese-Tilt ya' head
- Jan 25, 2003
- 1,701
- 6
- 38
- 35
the_satanic_rabbit
Return of Ganon
I finally got the album yesterday!
I will post a full review after I've heard it more.
But some initial thoughts...
Awesome songs! This is by far their heaviest most brutal record, and IMO it blows away politics. Yes, politics had a lot of heavy shit, but half the songs on that record go nowhere...these songs are all fantastic...except for Track 8. Noumenon, which seems to me like a filler track, and I thought there were to be no fillers. Oh well, its not that bad I guess and it has some great guitar work.
Speaking of guitar work, Loomis is in full force on this one...its cool because on some of the stuff it sounds totally improv and he's just letting completely loose. Other stuff sounds rudimentary and rehearsed, but well exectued of course!
Drumming is awesome...most interesting drum parts ever on a Nevermore record. The bass is good I'm sure, but I can't hear it unless it is playing under clean guitar or high notes.
Warell...sounds pretty good on this record, maybe not quite as good as the last one...but better than the first three...they put distortion on some of his vocals, and it actually enhances them a bit. I usually hate distorted vocals. But Warell does have a problem with pitch control sometimes, so it can obscure that a bit
Mix and production: Most unclear production of all Nevermore albums, but not necessarily the worst. These drum parts are fantastic, and I can hear faint dings of the ride cymbal bell in the background, but it's hard to hear most of the time. The guitars sound raw, more muddy than usual, but I kind of like it, gives it a live feel. I think they could have worked on the tone for the leads some more, but again the rawness gives a live feel. Vocals sound just fine in the mix to me. Bass needs to be louder.
It's a raw mix...but it doesn't sound like complete horse shit a la St. Anger.
Having said all that...
I love the album...with time it may become my favorite Nevermore release!
edit..
Just had to add one more final thought. I'm very happy to see that this album was dedicated to Chuck. The guys show their graditude for a man who was an inspiration to them, not to mention he helped them with their career.
I was there at one of the shows during the 1995 Symbolic tour, and this band called Nevermore came out on stage to perform. At the time, I thought it was a strange tourmate for Death, but I still liked the show.
Anyway, these guys have grown exponentially since then...I never thought they'd be making a record like EoR when I saw em in 95.
Excellent band...excellent record
I will post a full review after I've heard it more.
But some initial thoughts...
Awesome songs! This is by far their heaviest most brutal record, and IMO it blows away politics. Yes, politics had a lot of heavy shit, but half the songs on that record go nowhere...these songs are all fantastic...except for Track 8. Noumenon, which seems to me like a filler track, and I thought there were to be no fillers. Oh well, its not that bad I guess and it has some great guitar work.
Speaking of guitar work, Loomis is in full force on this one...its cool because on some of the stuff it sounds totally improv and he's just letting completely loose. Other stuff sounds rudimentary and rehearsed, but well exectued of course!
Drumming is awesome...most interesting drum parts ever on a Nevermore record. The bass is good I'm sure, but I can't hear it unless it is playing under clean guitar or high notes.
Warell...sounds pretty good on this record, maybe not quite as good as the last one...but better than the first three...they put distortion on some of his vocals, and it actually enhances them a bit. I usually hate distorted vocals. But Warell does have a problem with pitch control sometimes, so it can obscure that a bit
Mix and production: Most unclear production of all Nevermore albums, but not necessarily the worst. These drum parts are fantastic, and I can hear faint dings of the ride cymbal bell in the background, but it's hard to hear most of the time. The guitars sound raw, more muddy than usual, but I kind of like it, gives it a live feel. I think they could have worked on the tone for the leads some more, but again the rawness gives a live feel. Vocals sound just fine in the mix to me. Bass needs to be louder.
It's a raw mix...but it doesn't sound like complete horse shit a la St. Anger.
Having said all that...
I love the album...with time it may become my favorite Nevermore release!
edit..
Just had to add one more final thought. I'm very happy to see that this album was dedicated to Chuck. The guys show their graditude for a man who was an inspiration to them, not to mention he helped them with their career.
I was there at one of the shows during the 1995 Symbolic tour, and this band called Nevermore came out on stage to perform. At the time, I thought it was a strange tourmate for Death, but I still liked the show.
Anyway, these guys have grown exponentially since then...I never thought they'd be making a record like EoR when I saw em in 95.
Excellent band...excellent record
Mr. Shred-ididle
Its Chinese-Tilt ya' head
- Jan 25, 2003
- 1,701
- 6
- 38
- 35
This album is kicking my ass at the moment, aswell as DHiaDW's ass! Its so fucking heavy and brutal before going into the death metal growls. People say the production is shit, but it's not. Not very good - but i can still hear everything properly and the riffs are chunky. SOme of these solo's are justa amazing (Ambivilant and Never Purify in particular) like seriously dude!!all guitar players need this. My favourite songs;
Ambivilant, title track, Seed Awakening (this is a wierd song, but i love it!) are my favoutites.
Ambivilant, title track, Seed Awakening (this is a wierd song, but i love it!) are my favoutites.
Mr. Shred-ididle
Its Chinese-Tilt ya' head
- Jan 25, 2003
- 1,701
- 6
- 38
- 35
Demonspell
cheating the polygraph
I would have to disagree with EOR being simpler than Dead Heart, the production may obscure the technical aspects of the songs...
the_satanic_rabbit
Return of Ganon
I agree with Shred that it owns dead heart... It even has two ballads on it for the dead heart fans and both of them own all the ballads on dead heart. The solo on Tomorrow Turned into Yesterday makes you want to jump off the top of a mountain and fall into an eternal abyss of clouds.
And yes the production does cover up technical aspects of the songs as Demonspell said. Particulary with the drums. I know that Van is doing some crazy ride cymbal shit but its hard to hear. If Andy Sneap produced this record I think many more people would agree that it Owns Dead Heart.
My only gripe about it, beside production, is that vocal layering seems out of place at times, especially on the really heavy verse parts of some songs, like I, Voyager. Can't warell just have one vocal track for some parts? I mean come on!!! It's cool on some of the choruses, but it takes away from the energy in the agressive verses, like Ambivalent. It starts of so powerful, when he starts that first verse and then after a bit the second layer comes in and yes it is melodius, but it looses agression. Overkill on vocal layering if you ask me, and Warell is a good enough singer where he doesn't need that crap.
And yes the production does cover up technical aspects of the songs as Demonspell said. Particulary with the drums. I know that Van is doing some crazy ride cymbal shit but its hard to hear. If Andy Sneap produced this record I think many more people would agree that it Owns Dead Heart.
My only gripe about it, beside production, is that vocal layering seems out of place at times, especially on the really heavy verse parts of some songs, like I, Voyager. Can't warell just have one vocal track for some parts? I mean come on!!! It's cool on some of the choruses, but it takes away from the energy in the agressive verses, like Ambivalent. It starts of so powerful, when he starts that first verse and then after a bit the second layer comes in and yes it is melodius, but it looses agression. Overkill on vocal layering if you ask me, and Warell is a good enough singer where he doesn't need that crap.
Don't get angry but I don't see why this album gets so many great reviews and magazine space. I heard it the other day and it sound terrible IMO. Each song had the exact same drum beat and bass playing and they didn't even sound good while at the same time making most of what I heard. It was that noise and the lead guitar had a somewhat different shred riff on each track. Also no rythm, a typical thrash fest with no "togetherness" between the instruments. Even if I am just not a fan of thrash I can say I have a friend who listens to some really insane death/thrash type music and he couldn't even stand listening to this cd, that is when I reallly knew it was bad.
Mr. Shred-ididle
Its Chinese-Tilt ya' head
- Jan 25, 2003
- 1,701
- 6
- 38
- 35
I've only been listening to Nevermore for about a month and i own EoR and DHIADW. I'm still getting into EoR, though i think the title track is amazing. I think the songs have just as much potential as the ones on "Dead Heart..."
Also, for anyone who has a problem w/the production on EoR, there's a thread in the Nevermore forum explaining how to re-EQ the songs. I tried it yesterday and you can get a much better sound out of them...it takes the muddy-ness off of the tracks.
Also, for anyone who has a problem w/the production on EoR, there's a thread in the Nevermore forum explaining how to re-EQ the songs. I tried it yesterday and you can get a much better sound out of them...it takes the muddy-ness off of the tracks.
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