THE INNER CIRCLE

It must have been a heavy mission for EVERGREY to match the previous album 'Recreation Day'. That one was nominated as best metal album of 2003 for the Swedish Grammy. If there is any band that claims the throne position of DREAM THEATER it has to be EVERGREY! "A Touch Of Blessing" opens with A PERFECT CIRCLE/TOOL alike intro, vocals are emotional and yet thoughtful. Later, a certain SAVATAGE atmosphere pops up, heavy riffs and melodic guitar parts; that's the recipe of this first song, in part familiar, in part progressive. 'Ambassador' is an extra-ordinary heavy track with a kind of METALLICA riff in the beginning, but keyboards, dark vocals and choirs give it an unconditional EVERGREY touch. In the middle of a proper heavy instrumentation we can hear a female soul vocalist in 'In the Wake of the Weary'. In 'Harmless Wishes' Tom S. Englund shows us his pant out voice, flanked by guitars and bombastic orchestration all over. I can't help thinking that EVERGREY sounds less Swedish than ever, the music is quiet sophisticated; a thesis that's confirmed by them touring with ICED EARTH in the States. We've also have some precative slows, soulful and cautiously enriched by a fragile (guitar) solo. Maybe a bit too smooth, that's why I talked about this American feeling.

The star of EVERGREY is rising however, and I can only applaud this when I take the energetic progressive metal of 'More Than Ever' and 'The Essence of Conviction' into consideration. Heavy and rigorous but with just enough accessible parts to get more worldwide success, and they deserve it! For EVERGREY still has that social awareness; just have a listen to the prompt deep-mouthed words of declamation in 'The Essence of Conviction', flowing smoothly into an unctuous (guitar) solo. This item can also be found in the slow 'Faith Restored' when acoustic guitars are accompanied by a proper excited Englund and all the grieves of the world are proclaimed. 'Where all Good Sleep' and 'When the Walls go down' are so full of inner rage that it almost becomes too delicate to listen to. In brief EVERGREY is a guarantee for excellent progressive metal with a distinct opinion while on the other hand the band leans towards the American market in his musical aspects. Yet this is so overwhelming that I'd like to say this is a superb release.

>>> Review by: Vera "Gothica" (9/10) <<<