RECREATION DAY

Evergrey is among the bands that i like the best in the metal genre, perhaps mostly because they seem to play the music they like to listen to themselves. It's well performed and nicely written symfonic metal with a touch of prog. I say a touch of prog because I don't really se this as pure prog. I think I red somewere that T.S Englund's favourite concept album was Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche, and I'm not surprised. They share many things in the dark, conceptual songs.

In comparison with dreamtheater (an comparison that I know Evergray hates!) the songs are more straight forward and easier to get into and that is good. The songs would not benefit from more complexity, this is just perfect. This album is good, really good. I mostly agree with the other reviewers on that. The guitarwork includes some very nice pieces. Only two things bring down the score.

1: The guitar solo on "visions" is actually really bad. It feels so "studio" and pre-rehearsed. Perhaps some will find me being unfare in bringing down the score just for that, but I feel that it stands out too much and breaks up the integrity of the album. Perhaps I should add that in another review of the album I read that this solo by Danhage was described as "a lovely rolling guitar solo (one of his best ever)". I guess taste is personal.

2: The ballad "I'm sorry" feels a bit out of place. This song is a cover of Swedish pop-artist Dilba's debut album. I think there is a commercial reason for including the song. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice song, but it would have been better off as a B-side on a single than on the album.

Still, it's a very nice symfonic-rock album, I'll give it 3 stars!