THE INNER CIRCLE

I'm afraid I have to admit this is one of those albums you like almost immediately after you get to know it but after some time and about 20 spins you have heard the best of it. That period was about 2 years ago, it was a period in which I bought 6 of their albums and on top of that even a DVD. After working them all through I was really into Evergrey and considered them one of the best in prog metal. I think they actually still are of course but it's like having read the book and then that's it.

Point is I still have to do all of the reviews so I play them all over again and see what is left of the good feeling there once was. I think this album is my favourite of all, it had a pretty big impact on me two years ago so it can't be bad. I will do a "song by song with short comment" kind of review:

1. A Touch of Blessing. Great song with interesting build up in the beginning. One of my fav's. 3,75*

2. Ambassador. Another classic for the fans which was evident on the DVD. 3,5*

3. In the Wake of the Weary. Good song with nice orchestral contribution. 3,5*

4. Harmless Wishes. Average song compared to the others. 3,25*

5. Waking up Blind. One of the 2 ballads of the album. The lesser of the two. 3,0*

6. More than ever. One of those great live rockers. 3,5*

7. The Essence of Conviction. A long one for their standard with variation. 3,75*

8. Where all Good sleep. Anothe more average track though still nice. 3,5*

9. Faith Restored. The better ballad of the two. 3,5*

10. When the walls go down. Best song for last. Impressive and original though not everyone's fav I think. 4,0*

So that's a narrow escape for the 4 stars. It would have been an easy 4 star case 2 years ago, no doubt.