On disc: Evergrey

 
 In Search Of The Truth
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 In Search Of The Truth
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Recreation Day
 
- Jörg Petersen -
 
 


 
 Recreation Day
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Inner Circle
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 A Night To Remember
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Monday Morning Apocalypse
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Torn
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Glorious Collision
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Glorious Collision

(SPV - 2011)



 
 

 

I felt in love with Evergrey's dark progressive power metal in 2000, so I was curious to hear their new opus Glorious Collision. Only mainman Tom S. Englund is there from the early days, even if keyboarder Rickard Zander is a part of Evergrey since 2002. The new guys aren't nobodies, guitarist Marcus Jidell some might know from his time with Royal Hunt while bassist Johan Nieman is known best for his work with Therion among others. Only drummer Hannes Van Dahl isn't known well. As Evergrey was always Tom S. Englund's band the sound should be the same, perhaps vary a bit...

Slowly they open up, then they go full force and head into the heavy but symphonic Leave It Behind Us. The track combines the old sound with a dash of the new Evergrey sound, so it has a bit of everything. Good opener!

Very heavy and riff-based is You, Rikard Zander's keyboard is the counterpart to the guitars. But it's Englund's expressive vocal performance which gives you shivers! First Wrong is focusing on Englund's vocals - just supported by Zander's keyboard -, then the band joins in, but gives space to the vocals. A power ballad with huge backings.











Time to speed up and add some heaviness! Frozen is offering heavy riffing, but also symphonic keyboards and a catchy refrain. Partly it's only Englund's voice and keyboard.

Acoustically To Fit The Mold begins, but it becomes another true Evergrey tune. Very intensive - and touching. After another typical Evergrey song it's time for mire acoustic guitars and keyboard, it's time for The Phantom Letters. After a long balladesque opening they head into a mid-paced part. As usual it's the vocals which make the songs special. Especially the closer ... And The Distance is a masterpiece! Simply enchanting!

All songs have the typical Evergrey sound, it seems that the new crew just made the band sound tighter... Is closer to their live performance. Everybody who found Torn disappointing, give Glorious Collision a chance - and you won't regret it! Evergrey is back!

 

 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Torn

(Steamhammer - 2008)



 
 

 

Ten years ago the Swedish band Evergrey released their debut The Dark Discovery, now they are back with their 7th studio album - simply called Torn. Their last studio album Monday Morning Apocalypse was a bit experimental in the way that they tried new things, but stick to their trademarks. Torn shall be a modern mix of In Search Of The Truth and Recreation Day, the band stated...

They kick off with Broken Wings, first some electronic sound, then ultra-heavy riffs. The song soon becomes a typical Evergrey tune with lots of heavy riffs, groove and the unique vocals of mainman Tom Englund. And again they combine slower passages, groovy riffs and a catchy hook line! The production is powerful and supports the heavy sound as well as their progressive elements and structures - as on Fear. At When Kingdoms Fall they slow down a bit, but stick to their guns - and later speed up again. It gets even more obvious that their statement describing Torn is quite right. At Numb they sound a bit different, at least partly. They are still heavy, groovy, melodic and touching. At the final track These Scars they add female vocals and so the song sticks out.... Gets a balladesque touch, as they slow down a bit and are less heavy. But the song still needs a few spins.

Resume: If you liked the last albums of Evergrey, you will like this one, too. Especially if Monday Morning Apocalypse was too experimental for you. But in a nutshell: WYSIWYG - or if it's labeled Evergrey, then it is Evergrey!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Monday Morning Apocalypse

(InsideOut Music - 2006)



 
 

 

Their debut The Dark Discovery was released in 1998 and now 8 years later they deliver their 6th studio album - Monday Morning Apocalypse. Recently the first 2 albums been re-released as special editions and they also presented a live album / DVD. A hard working band!

Opening powerful with the up-tempo title track the Swedish show that they stick to the chosen path, even if they work here partly with distorted vocals which gives it a more modern touch. An excellent choice to start off this record. Again the emotional vocals of mainman Tom Englund add the certain something. With the following one - called Unspeakable - they slow down a little bit, but it's still a straight forward song. Breaks and the catchy vocals make it hard to forget this song - an earcatcher. The track In Remembrance is dark and a bit doomy. But it's far from depressing, only sad and touching. Here as on the whole album the keyboards are more present then on the previous albums, but they aren't dominating the sound. Till Dagmar is short bittersweet piano piece. Afterwards they return full force with Still In The Waters. Heavy guitar riffing and as a counterpart catchy backings. The keyboard in the background remind me of Paradise Lost.... But no doubt this is Evergrey! Some might argue that this album lacks the variety former ones had, well yes, but still this is an outstanding album. On the digi-pack version is a bonus track called Closure which is a ballad based on piano and Tom's voice. He's suffering, mourning and pleading. This one gave me goose-bumps! A pity that this one is only on the digi-pack. If they will do again some acoustic show, then this is  a must.

On Monday Morning Apocalypse the quintet is working more often with modern sound elements, but still it's powerful, dark metal with some progressive parts. Still the emotional vocals of Tom Englund are essential for the unique sound of Evergrey.

My personal favorite Evergrey album still is In The Search Of The Truth, but with Monday Morning Apocalypse they delivered another atmospheric and emotional album. Not that the other albums were bad, au contraire they were working on a high level all the time, only the others weren't as intensive as the two mentioned.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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A Night To Remember

(InsideOut Music - 2005)



 
 

 

Through the years I saw the Swedish about a dozen times and so I was waiting for their live album, coz I know they are a fantastic live act. Unfortunately I couldn't go to Gothenberg – their hometown – when they recorded this live album. I got infected with the Evergrey virus when they toured with Kamelot and Crimson Glory back in April 2000. Still my favorite album is In Search Of The Truth, so I'm happy that some songs made it onto the set list. After an intro they started their musical journey with Blinded. During the first moments they put the listener under a spell. The powerful production is crystal clear. Okay, for the backing vocals they hired some singers to make it sound bigger. Anyway, better then to use studio technics.

They chose the songs well – see the track list below – and fullfilled the request of their fans. Always been a fan-friendly band they even put fans – they just had to send an email - who came from abroad on the guest list for this special night. There are always songs someone is missing, but this is a very good representation of Evergrey's musical past.

If you like Evergrey you'll surely get this live album. For metal fans who know just one or another song this is a good choice to check the band out. I can't wait to see the DVD! And I hope that more people will come to the shows of Swedish from now on. Well done guys!



Tracklist:



 
CD 1
 
CD 2


 
Intro

     Blinded

     End Of Your Days

     More Then Ever

     She Speaks To The Dead     

     Rulers Of The Mind

     Blackeded Dawn

     Waking Up Blind

     As I Lie Here Bleeding

     Mislead

     Mark Of The Triangle

 
When The Walls Go Down

     Harmless Wishes

     Essence Of Conviction

     Solitude Within

     Nosferatu

     Recreation Day

     For Every Tear That Falls

     Touch Of Blessing

     The Masterplan


 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Inner Circle

(InsideOut Music - 2004)



 
 

 

The Swedish open up their new album with A Touch Of Blessing. Another conceptual album. This time about religious groups and fanaticism, a topic they already used in Recreation Day's Unforgivable. Through the topic this one is darker, more intense... Full of emotions which are brilliantly transported by singer Tom Englund. Again the band presents progressive power metal with or powerful progressive metal!?! Anyway, in my opinion it was a good idea to do another conceptual album, coz I think that Evergrey are better, more intense at the conceptual albums. I loved - still love In Search Of The Truth - and the complexity of The Inner Circle soon - after a few spins - put me under a spell. Englund and his companions took their time to write and record this album. On The Inner Circle they had the chance to work with parts of the string orchestra of the Stockholm symphony orchestra. Also they used female vocals as an element. But I have to confess that the album opener A Touch Of Blessing is more catchy then the rest of the album, but it's worth spending time on this one. Track no. 2 - Ambassador - starts with some spoken words, distorted like taken from a radio or something, then a very progressive song starts. Here the keyboard parts are a bit too overloaded in my opinion. The song In The Wake Of The Weary is more easy to get into and would fit good into their live set. Musically this one could also have been on In Search Of The Truth... The female vocals are just an sound element, but make this more interesting as well as the religious quotes. Harmless Wishes is less complex and through the choir partly bombastic, just to get reduced to piano and vocals the next moment - Waking Up Blind. Great! Feelings from anger to sadness and despair Tom Englund had to express and so the songs vary from slow, intense ones to up-tempo, partly aggressive ones. It's obvious that they haven't chose the topic just to get more attention, this is something Englund really bothers. You can belief him, it feels real. Another fantastic album of the Swedish. I hope that Mr. Englund finds another topic for a conceptual album, coz to me it seems that he's best on doing conceptual ones. Not that Recreation Day is a bad album, far from bad, but for me it doesn't has the magic of In Search Of The Truth and The Inner Circle. The last track of the album is When The Walls Go Down which starts with spoken words again and the beginning remind me of Paradise Lost's Forever Failure of Draconian Times. Both songs are dark and threatening, even if Paradise Lost are much heavier. But Evergrey also use strings here and the unusual drumming is part of the magic. Then it got faster, almost aggressive, more threatening in a way. Here Tom Englund decided not to sing, he let the music do the talking. Fantastic!

The digi-pack edition has 3 bonus tracks which the band recorded in France. There are acoustic versions of I'm Sorry, Recreation Day and Madness Caught Another Victim. Definitely a reason to get the digi-pack! Perhaps they should do some acoustic shows here and there - and record them. Songs like Faith Restored and Waking Up Blind would fit into an acoustic set...
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Recreation Day

(InsideOut Music - 2003)



 
 

 

After In Search Of The Truth - one of my favorites - I wasn't sure, if the Swedish could convince me. The first track The Great Deceiver starts quite progressive, an up-tempo track with fast guitar riffing and the unique voice of Tom S. Englund. In a way this already indicates the direction the band is following. With the predecessor they chose a new path and they are still follow this path. This time they are a trifle heavier, probably based on the topics Mr. Englund chose.... The cover is related to the song Unforgivable which is about child abuse. The other tracks are all influenced by feelings and emotions which one has to go through after the loss of a friend or relative. That explains the dark atmosphere and the sadness and anger. Kicking off their latest release with The Great Deceiver, a song which proofs that quite well. The chorus remind me a bit of Therion's... This one is a mainly fast one, but breaks lead into mid-tempo parts. The keyboard is a little bit in the background, supporting the song, but not dominating the song. The guitar riffing is more up front. Then it ends abruptly. The following track End Of Your Days starts with electronic sounds, but truly a progressive track with lots of power. Here Evergrey work additionally with female vocals done by Carina Kjellberg. Interesting how they combine heavy riffs and almost fragile elements - in a way it's the same with the vocals where Tom S. Englund's present the heavy part and Carina Kjellberg the fragile one.

A heavy rocker is the title track. More straight forward probably... But just in the beginning, then more melodic... Even if there are heavy guitar riffs and a screaming guitar solo. Next some piano, right after the guitar solo. The music shows the contrast of the emotions you go through, even when you just think about this topic. Outstanding is the power ballad I'm Sorry which is a cover version of a song which was quite popular in Sweden. Originally it is be Dilba. I don't know the original, but the Evergrey version is enchanting! Interesting is Madness Caught Another Victim which is a kind of unplugged guitar tune. Another song which gets the intensity from the unique voice of their mainman - Tom S. Englund. With the ballad and this track they build a great contrast to the faster and heavier tunes.

The digi-pack comes in a nice book-shape and has with Trilogy Of The Damned the Japanese bonus track of In Search Of The Truth. A nice gesture to the fans.

Well, a great album, but for me not as good as In Search Of The Truth. But perhaps it needs just more time... Or perhaps I love the predecessor too much... Future will tell. Anyway, I can recommend this album to all fans of Evergrey and to everybody who likes progressive, powerful metal.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Recreation Day

(InsideOut Music - 2003)



 
 

 

The Swedish Evergrey are back with Recreation Day. Their last album In Search Of The Truth was more progressive, complex and not so straight. Many complained about that, but personally I love In Search Of The Truth. With Recreation Day singer Tom S. Englund and his mates are more straight forward, more rock and less progressive. For the fans of Solitude*Dominance*Tragedy I can say, this is what you might expect from the last album. In Search Of The Truth was a concept album and so the story influenced the music. This time it's a collection of songs, no concept.... Just that all songs are about feelings and emotions. And these emotions are transported by the instruments and the voice. No need to understand the lyrics, you can feel them. Unforgivable is about child abuse in the catholic church. With I'm Sorry they offer a power ballad, but it's a cover song of the Swedish singer Dilba. A great tune which know will be heard around the world. Another track I should mention is Madness Caught Another Victim which is a kind of unplugged song.

If you liked the last albums of Evergrey, you'll like this one as well. Perhaps this needs time to grow, at least for me, but it's worth listen to it, even if I still prefer In Search Of The Truth.... Give the Swedish a chance!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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In Search Of The Truth

(InsideOut Music - 2001)



 
 

 

A new album of the Swedish Evergrey, a conceptual one and with the new line-up and the great production of King Diamond guitarist Andy Laroque (who also produced all other Evergrey CDs) make this album stronger than the predecessors.

On In Search Of The Truth the band of singer / guitarist Tom Englund offer power metal with progressive elements, but also there are reminiscences to the old rock giants Rainbow, Deep Purple, etc. partly it's just the sound of the organ... In the past some songs dealed with the subject, but a book Tom read made him wanna do a conceptual album, a story which gives the chance to show different musical elements. The protagonist is in this mid-30's and is searching the truth and what happened in the past, his past. He felt that something is wrong with him, he felt fear, feared the light and the dark at the some time. A psychologist put him into hypnosis and he learnt that aliens kidnapped him. As more he learnt about his past, the more he gets insane, the search of truth destroyed him physically and psychologically. A great story, very intense and that's the music as well.

Listen to it, but be aware that this is like a drug and can make you addicted to In Search Of The Truth!

But what will Evergrey do to make a better one next time?
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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In Search Of The Truth

(InsideOut Music - 2001)



 
 

 

I think that many will face the same reaction after the first spin of Evergrey's In Search Of The Truth. Am I disappointed? Am I delighted? Am I speechless? If you are speechless, give it another try as I do, coz after the first spin I'm a little disappointed.

Where are the dark, atmospheric soundscapes of their fantastic Solitude*Dominance*Tragedy album? Where is the excellent combination of heaviness and emotions? Where should I start? Is it possible that a change of the guitarist is initiating such a musical change? Or the other label? Well, In Search Of The Truth isn't bad, but where is the dark, genius atmosphere of the end of the world? Where are the crushing melancholy they had on the predecessors? Only at the opener The Masterplan are shadows of their musically past. The rest of the material sounds different. Is it the slightly changed vocal part of Tom Englund? Or the more often used keyboard parts? I'm not sure, perhaps I'll learn to love this album... One day. I can resume that Solitude*Dominance*Tragedy I can listen to several times a day, but I can't do that with their new one. Their passion for shallowness is too big on the 9 tracks of In Search Of The Truth... At least for me.
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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