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Line-up:
Tom Englund - Vocals, Guitars
Henrik Danhage - Guitars
Michael Hakansson - Drums
Rikard Zander - Bass
Jonas Ekdahl - Drums
Release Date:
April
26th 2004
Tracklist:
1. A Touch Of Blessing
2. Ambassador
3. In The Wake Of The Weary
4. Harmless Wishes
5. Waking Up Blind
6. More Than Ever
7. The Essence Of Conviction
8. Where All Good Sleep
9. Faith Restored
10. When The Walls Walls Go Down
Website:
www.evergrey.net Check
also:
Surprise Of April 2004
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Ok guys, it’s harvest
time!!! It’s time for this great band to harvest all the seeds it has planted with the four previous records. I remember when I have listened to their “Solitude Dominance Tragedy”, which was an innovative album I thought that this band had strong potentials, but to be honest I’ve never expected this kind of evolution. First of all, the band has not released an average album. Second there is progress from CD to CD so that they embellish their sound with more elements and don’t become boring. Third they have created their own original sound. Fourth they are probably the best heavy metal group that emerged in the late 90’s.
Guided by the talented Tom Englund, the band here produces possibly its best album so far and for sure the most complete and balanced one. The new CD is the soundtrack for an inner wish, a cloudy nightmare, a soul trip to the deepest fears. A concept album about religious zealotry and how heresies turn people into creatures without free will. Very interesting and “hot” subject that demands balls to deal with it. And Evergrey does it in a flawless way.
In musical terms the band is close to its trademark sound (it is original enough anyway), of power - prog - goth metal. But this time the songs are “dressed” by a string quartet , which gives the needed atmosphere to the album. In addition here we have many female backing vocals by Mrs Englund - who sounds terrific. The band does not hesitate at times to sound heavier than ever in order to emphasise the more aggressive parts of the story. But then we get magical, lyrical moment that creates a perfect balance. Everything here sounds perfect - nothing is missing and nothing is dispensable. The more you listen to the album the more you discover things and eventually you become trapped to its charm and it becomes a need of yours to keep listening to it.
I personally feel that this is the time that Evergrey will make the big step - the final breakthrough to the largest audiences. They deserve it for their patience, workaholism, consistency, professionalism, but most of all for their unique inspiration that makes them distinct among all those groups of our times. Don’t expect me to distinguish some songs here, as the whole album is a highlight - from the compositions, to the production and the capabilities of the musicians. Stop ignoring bands like this one and keep mourning, “there are no great bands left”. Open your eyes and discover the great bands of today. And you know what? After their “Recreation Day” I was a bit pessimistic, as I thought that the band had reached it’s zenith as I thought it would never release something better. But since the band managed to outperform it, I have confidence that Evergrey must have some more aces in their sleeves for the future. Until then, join the Inner Circle.
by Alex Savatianos 9/10
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