Here is my synopsis of this album...
Over the course of their three albums, Gothenburg's Evergrey have gradually become a leading force in the world of metal. The Dark Discovery was a debut few bands can match in terms of raw power, and their identity was already fully formed, the record's impact was diminished only by a thin production. This was remedied in time for 1999's Solitude Dominance Tragedy, a vast improvement on the debut boasting a much fuller sound and an increased progressiveness to the music. This was their breakthrough album internationally, and by the time their brilliant concept album In Search Of Truth was ready to be released, Evergrey had acquired a growing cult following. ISOT received almost unanimous rave reviews, and propelled Evergrey into the metal elite...a showstopping performance at Progpower 2.0 cemented their reputation. Unfortunately, Evergrey suffered a series of setbacks as they lost two keyboardists in quick succession and Neil Kernon was unable to produce their next album due to immigrattion problems. But it would take more than that to stop music as vital as that of Evergrey, as the final results prove...
...The Great Deceiver (not a Crimson cover, of course!) grabs you right away, establishing this album's more aggressive sound right away, and nearly every song continues in the same wall of guitars approach. The chanted sections prevalent on their last two albums make an early appearance here. New keyboardist Rickard Zander introduces himself in spectacular fashion on the next track End Of Your Days with a mindbending solo, and Tom Englund proves to be one of metal's most dynamic vocalists, as just about every song has a chorus that ingrains itslef in the listner's mind with stunning force. As I Lie Here Bleeding continues in the same vein, with more devastating riffs balanced with the band's gift for melody. Next comes the title track, which contains a gigantic chorus loaded with raw emotion and an instrumental section rivaling anything on In Search Of Truth. Visions is full of just about everything that makes this band great. The melodic solo that comes out of nowhere after the pounding chorus is a moment of beauty, and the track's conclusion is magnificent, with a visceral riff worthy of Opeth making way for an elegiac piano and violin coda.
Next is the album's first single, I'm Sorry. For those who scratched their heads after learning that Evergrey was doing, of all things, a Swedish pop song, rest easy. This is 100% Evergrey, the only disappointment being its brevity. It begins as a ballad but quickly builds in tension, and the chorus is excellent: Tom's strength is such that he can make a simple phrase like "I'm sorry", which is repeated four times, sound cathartic. Fragments is built around a stunning choral arrangement. The production on this album is excellent, bringing out the nuances of every instrument without sounding overproduced, and not only preserving but enhancing Evergreys bleak atmosphere. Blinded is another potential single, and a great choice as the riffs are crushing yet immediate and the chorus is infectious. I am definitely blinded, by the display of talent on this album. Track nine is perhaps an even more pronounced departure than Im Sorry, the all-acoustic Madness Caught Another Victim. This stripped down approach is perfect for the dread that often defines Evergreys lyrics and musical atmosphere, and pushes Tom into yet another soul stirring performance. Next up is perhaps the albums finest song, Darkest Hour, one that continues the fine tradition that every Grey album must have a song with dark in the title. The melodies in this track are brilliant, the keyboards are expert, and the chorus commands instant recognition, everything falls into place here creating a composition that is the essence of this band. Carina Kjellberg, a.k.a. Mrs. Tom Englund, has a solo spot on this song, and it is gorgeous. The closer Unforgivable Sin ends the album on a disturbing note with its haunting piano and a chilling performance by Tom and lyrics concerning sexual abuse in churches, especially on the second verse where he is largely unaccompanied.
Recreation Day is a brilliant piece of music. Preorder it now on http://www.metalages.com ...or else.
Over the course of their three albums, Gothenburg's Evergrey have gradually become a leading force in the world of metal. The Dark Discovery was a debut few bands can match in terms of raw power, and their identity was already fully formed, the record's impact was diminished only by a thin production. This was remedied in time for 1999's Solitude Dominance Tragedy, a vast improvement on the debut boasting a much fuller sound and an increased progressiveness to the music. This was their breakthrough album internationally, and by the time their brilliant concept album In Search Of Truth was ready to be released, Evergrey had acquired a growing cult following. ISOT received almost unanimous rave reviews, and propelled Evergrey into the metal elite...a showstopping performance at Progpower 2.0 cemented their reputation. Unfortunately, Evergrey suffered a series of setbacks as they lost two keyboardists in quick succession and Neil Kernon was unable to produce their next album due to immigrattion problems. But it would take more than that to stop music as vital as that of Evergrey, as the final results prove...
...The Great Deceiver (not a Crimson cover, of course!) grabs you right away, establishing this album's more aggressive sound right away, and nearly every song continues in the same wall of guitars approach. The chanted sections prevalent on their last two albums make an early appearance here. New keyboardist Rickard Zander introduces himself in spectacular fashion on the next track End Of Your Days with a mindbending solo, and Tom Englund proves to be one of metal's most dynamic vocalists, as just about every song has a chorus that ingrains itslef in the listner's mind with stunning force. As I Lie Here Bleeding continues in the same vein, with more devastating riffs balanced with the band's gift for melody. Next comes the title track, which contains a gigantic chorus loaded with raw emotion and an instrumental section rivaling anything on In Search Of Truth. Visions is full of just about everything that makes this band great. The melodic solo that comes out of nowhere after the pounding chorus is a moment of beauty, and the track's conclusion is magnificent, with a visceral riff worthy of Opeth making way for an elegiac piano and violin coda.
Next is the album's first single, I'm Sorry. For those who scratched their heads after learning that Evergrey was doing, of all things, a Swedish pop song, rest easy. This is 100% Evergrey, the only disappointment being its brevity. It begins as a ballad but quickly builds in tension, and the chorus is excellent: Tom's strength is such that he can make a simple phrase like "I'm sorry", which is repeated four times, sound cathartic. Fragments is built around a stunning choral arrangement. The production on this album is excellent, bringing out the nuances of every instrument without sounding overproduced, and not only preserving but enhancing Evergreys bleak atmosphere. Blinded is another potential single, and a great choice as the riffs are crushing yet immediate and the chorus is infectious. I am definitely blinded, by the display of talent on this album. Track nine is perhaps an even more pronounced departure than Im Sorry, the all-acoustic Madness Caught Another Victim. This stripped down approach is perfect for the dread that often defines Evergreys lyrics and musical atmosphere, and pushes Tom into yet another soul stirring performance. Next up is perhaps the albums finest song, Darkest Hour, one that continues the fine tradition that every Grey album must have a song with dark in the title. The melodies in this track are brilliant, the keyboards are expert, and the chorus commands instant recognition, everything falls into place here creating a composition that is the essence of this band. Carina Kjellberg, a.k.a. Mrs. Tom Englund, has a solo spot on this song, and it is gorgeous. The closer Unforgivable Sin ends the album on a disturbing note with its haunting piano and a chilling performance by Tom and lyrics concerning sexual abuse in churches, especially on the second verse where he is largely unaccompanied.
Recreation Day is a brilliant piece of music. Preorder it now on http://www.metalages.com ...or else.
