THE INNER CIRCLE

EVERGREY is a band that improves tremendously with each album they record. "The Inner Circle" is their latest epic masterpiece. The lyrical content of this grand album centers on the control of people, focusing on religious rhetoric, which actually sounds like an evangelist straight from the TV set telling you that you will burn in hell and the devil wants you in his kingdom... blah, blah, blah. In between powerful sweeping metal music, the story unfolds and captures your imagination and awakens all of your senses, thoughts and ideas revolving around the church, religion and politics. It all seems to tie in together with the latest developments of the church in the courtrooms defending their sick child molesting men of the cloth, therefore making the word of God and church nothing but a mockery and a lie.

Tom Englund gives an outstanding performance vocally, living out the parts, making them real for the listener. He plays out the concept vocally to perfection, giving you the true feeling and emotion behind all of the power packed lyrics. It's like a real life situation that comes to life inside the music. Oh yes, the music! Does it ever rock! This band is on a roll now, recording some of the best metal available in the world today, without question. I like to call it progressive metal, but the term progressive seems to make people shy away, particularly those that are the true hardcore metal heads. I am actually referring more to the progression the band is making with each subsequent recording, not the traces of prog-rock within their sound (mostly the way the keyboards interplay with the guitar). Make no mistake about it though; this is heavy, dark and hard rockin' music.

EVERGREY's musicianship is clearly beyond reproach as Rikard Zander (keyboards), Michael Hakansson (bass), Jonas Ekdahl (drums), Tom S. Englund (vocals/guitars) and Henrik Danhage (guitars) are a high-energy group that attacks the music with unyielding passion. The dark and ominous atmosphere coupled with the political and spiritual aspects make you rethink life itself and why man lets religion and politics get in the way of our true nature. "The Inner Circle" gives you all of that cranked up a few notches on the decibel scale for maximum impact.

I have listened to this album countless times now and I can tell you it only gets better with each listen, it's that good, and no doubt one of the top metal albums of 2004.