EVERGREY: Recreation day

Cover	Release	Style
	2003–03-10	progressive metal
	Label
	www.insideout.de / www.spv.de
	Website
	www.evergrey.net
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	60:17	IOMCD 117
	Review by / Translated by	Rating
	Vera	9/10
nederlands	Review
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!!!
Musicians
Tom S. Englund : vocals, guitars Henrik Danhage : guitar Michael Hakansson : bass Rikard Zander : keyboards Patrick Carlsson : drums
Tracklist
The great deceiver (4’18’’) End of your days (4’38’’) As I lie here bleeding (3’51’’) Recreation day (5’21’’) Visions (6’01’’) I’m sorry (3’18’’) Blinded (4’34’’) Fragments (5’37’’) Madness caught another victim (2’59’’) Your darkest hour (6’14’’) Unforgivable (4’28’’) Trilogy of the damned (9’00’’)
Discography
Monday Morning Apocalypse (2006) A Night To Remember 2 DVD (2005) A Night To Remember 2 CD (2005) The Inner Circle (2004) Recreation Day (2003) In Search Of Truth (2001) Solitude, Dominance, Tragedy (1999) The Dark Discovery (1998)


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