|
The moment has come to discover one hour
new Evergrey music ! This Swedish band has just released their fourth
album in a row now. The debut ‘The dark discovery’ in 1998 confronted
us with a dark Savatage overture; on the next CD’s they developed
themselves as a talented band with an own style. Gigs on the Progpower
festivals passed not without notice and nowadays we can simply say that
Evergrey belongs to the top of the prog metal scene. Also this CD rocks
like hell ! Without brutal changes they work on their constant
evolution. This time there is a new keyboard player, Richard Zander,
already good for some manor contribution. But it’s above all
singer/guitar player Tom S Englund and guitar man Henrik Danhage knowing
how to pilot this overloaded flag-ship through the turbulent waters :
they did the production of this record (together with Fredrik
Nordstrom).
It’s rather lively, filled-up music, but
fans of Savatage and Dream Theater don’t need to hesitate about buying
this CD. Especially the first two songs have an overloaded structure,
but Evergrey knows very well how to bring a lot of diversity. Flashing
guitarlines, a modern sound and intense drums make you enjoy this from
the beginning till the end. And then there is that overwhelming voice
of Englund ! Let’s hear what Tom himself has to say about the record :
‘It’s not a concept album. But the title deals with death, because
everybody has to deal with that some day in their lives. Whether it’s
family or a good friend you’ve lost, after the first anger and grief
you need a recreation day’. This title track is a magnificent
composition with melodic guitar and slightly epic voices. Even
‘Visions’ has its moments of reflection, translated in a lovely guitar
solo and keyboard parts.
‘Recreation day’ knows two moments of
introspection. ‘I’m sorry’, being a cover of an old Swedish tune, once
sung by an artist named Dilba. This older song once was one of the most
played tunes on the radio in Sweden and Evergrey gave it a rougher
touch. The other ‘slow’ shows us an Evergrey like they’ve never sounded
before. Even the way Englund sings is new to him, almost folky. I dare
to say that the second part of the CD is even of a higher quality and
impact than the beginning. My favourite track is ‘Fragments’; a mid
temp construction where the dark sounding vocals are a hint to what I
mostly listen to. This mystical and doomy atmosphere makes us hear
another new surprising facet of the group. In ‘Your darkest hour’ the
female vocals bring on a floating sound of ‘The great gig in the sky’,
together with the breaking riffs and Englund’s roaring voice this is a
marvellous contrast.
‘Trilogy of the damned’ was previously
only available as a Japanese bonus on ‘In search of truth’. It’s real
art !!! Tom sings as sultry and full of emotions like a young David
Coverdale. For nine minutes we fly through a pulsing universe of
beautiful piano, an occasional guitar solo and vocals. Because of this
and much more I see Evergrey as a special band, eager to find new
horizons and capable to surprise us with every kicking record !
|
