THE STORM WITHIN

This one got me by suprise. The pop/rock approach of the metalband really appeals to me. The songs have pop- structures (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-breakdown/solo-chorus-outtro) and great hooklines and actual lyrics with a message.

The band often reminds a bit of Nevermore but with more heavy vocals reminiscent of Spiritual Beggars and Grand Magus. The music is really heavy and riff-oriented. Heavy, distorted, lowtuned riffs with great double-basswork of the drummer, giving it a bit of a powermetal-groove, but not fastpaced and jumpy like most powermetalbands.

I like the gothic approach in some of the song, without being too much. I think that's the great thing about this band and this album, nothing here is overdone and it all sounds really balanced.

I must also praise the vocals skills of Tom Englund, it seems that Sweden boasts really great metal-vocalists. The Swedish approach of heavy metal had always grabbed me more than the american approach. Evergrey is a really solid and talented band that are actually capable of writing and playing actual songs that stick in your head.

I must really check out all of their other albums.