A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

I'll admit it: I love Evergrey. They're not even a guilty pleasure. Their unabashed excitement for their music is infectious, and they have a creative intensity and style all their own. But... the chink in their gothic Swedish plate mail has been found: they aren't so good live.

That's not to say they're bad-- in fact, A Night to Remember explodes with fine musicianship and intensity. The problem is that, with very few exceptions, we're hearing things exactly as they are on their studio albums. With live albums (especially metal albums) I expect some measure of spontaneity, improvisation, or at least rawness which I can't get on a studio recording-- not the case here (see my review of Iron Maiden Rock in Rio). The group is tight, focused, and predictable.

The only thing one will hear here that's new is a live choir (very nice), and useless banter from Englund (4.5 minutes in the middle of Masterplan seems excessive to me). His casual swearing and shouts to the crowd seem to bounce right off them. Moreover, his thank you very much's often come BEFORE a song ends (or applause begins for that matter). Maybe it's a cultural thing :P

I know I am quibbling, but I wanted something more than a best of compilation of Evergrey's music, which is essentially what A Night to Remember is-- a collection of excellent songs lifted with few noticeable differences from existing recordings.

Setlist 3 Instrumental Performances 3 Stage Energy 3 Live Experience 2

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Sunday, January 11, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #198463)

3.5 stars. I don't know if I'd consider Evergrey a prog-metal band in the traditional sense. There aren't any long, epic tracks. There is an absence of strange time signatures and rapid tempo changes. However, there are female backup singers / chorus, string quartets and keyboards. Thes ... (read more)

Report this review (#65113) | Posted by dltonya | Tuesday, January 17, 2006 | Review Permanlink

Evergrey's latest offering is absolute pure Garbage!!.I thought i was listening to Motorhead with synthesisers when i first listened to it ,really its just Shit and shows some acts should stick to the studio as far as recordings go.Its loud,ugly and horrible and Evergrey come across as nothing ... (read more)

Report this review (#37118) | Posted by Heidi | Tuesday, June 21, 2005 | Review Permanlink

Absolutely the best progressive metal live recording ever!!! Evergrey perfectly delivers their best compositions. I give four thumbs up for their perfect performance. The sound of this recording is top notch. Very real, very clean. If you're looking for high quality concert from the best dark ... (read more)

Report this review (#34544) | Posted by | Friday, May 27, 2005 | Review Permanlink

A brilliant live piece from Evergrey. This album is just simply amazing. Words cannot describe the brilliance put behind this live album. As soon as you listen to the first track - being an introduction, you just know that you are in for the ride of your life. This album IS power. Sin ... (read more)

Report this review (#34543) | Posted by OptionalPlayer | Friday, May 20, 2005 | Review Permanlink

This is the album for the ones who thought that "OK, this guys can handle their instruments, good songs and everything, but [%*!#] you, all their albums are so amateurish, especially the sound, I dont buy this" THIS IS OVER NOW. Evergrey made an ultimate live album that makes everything crysta ... (read more)

Report this review (#34542) | Posted by | Thursday, April 28, 2005 | Review Permanlink

What a great piece of musicianship.... Evergrey have certainly proved themselves to be masters of the live act with the characteristic masterpieces from their albums replicated beautifully in the live setting. Highly recommended as thse brilliant musicians become amongst the top in the Progressi ... (read more)

Report this review (#34541) | Posted by | Monday, April 18, 2005 | Review Permanlink

Excellent double live album by Evergrey, one of the best prog-metal bands of the moment. The set list is brilliant, with a collection of songs from all their albums, and the performances are great. Truly it was a night to remember! EVERGREY RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... (read more)

Report this review (#34540) | Posted by javi_pb | Thursday, March 24, 2005 | Review Permanlink

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