8/10
 
1. The Sound of Shame
2. Absolve
3. Edge of Midnight
4. Fragile
5. Grayscale Grace
6. Silence the Lies
7. Slow Motion Crash
8. Chemikaze
9. This Wasted Life
10. Take It Away
11. When Worlds Collide
12. Wrong Way

Is Atlanta, Georgia the new home for American Progressive Metal?

The answer may just be yes. Not only is Atlanta the home of the greatest American Metal Festival ProgPower USA, but it is also creating some great metal acts. A couple of years ago I learned of Halcyon Way and fell in love with them, and now there is another progressive metal act from the ATL that has found its way into my ears and infected my brain.

That would be the band VOR.

While not as bombastic as their Atlanta metal brothers Halcyon Way, VOR has a sound that is very easy to get in to and enjoy. VOR’s sound can best be described as dark melodic progressive metal, think Dream Theater mixed with Evergrey, slowed down and spiced up with just a touch of King’s X and Alice in Chains.

On first listen it seems that there are some problems with the production, some peeking out here and there, but you have to keep in mind that the guys in VOR made this album with out the aid of a record label, doing all the recording and producing themselves. When you take that in to account that they did not have bottomless pockets to spend on this, the album sounds incredible.

Musically the album is very impressive. Every song has a very haunting atmosphere to it that completely captures you when you listen to it. (Think a less heavy Evergrey) The guitars have some nice solos but nothing that takes from the haunting atmosphere of the songs. They use keyboards and sound clips to enhance the feeling of certain songs, and the vocals of guitarist, keyboardist and master mind Dan Scott are a perfect match to the music. His tones can just draw you in and chill your soul. However, my favorite part of this album and the thing that has looking forward to many more great things from this band is their amazing lyrics. “Dark and dreary suits my style, back and forth, my mind is changing, I’ll take this path a lonely trail, like angels wings, your mood surrounds me”
(Did I mention that this album has a haunting atmosphere?)

The stand out tracks are, “The Sound of Shame”, “Edge of Midnight”, “Greyscale Grace”, “Silence the Lies” and “This Wasted Life”. My personal favorite track being “When Worlds Collide” and the best track being “Take it Away”.

If you like melodic music, be sure to check out VOR’s first independent release, because I seriously doubt their next one will be independent.

ROCK ON!!!!
 

 

Links

 
Vor on Myspace
Buy the album
 
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                           7.5/10
 
1. The Moribund Choir vs. The Trumpets Of Armageddon
2. Martyr To Science
3. Slaughter's Palace
4. The Brave / Agony Applause Watch the video!
5. Deathrace
6. Fire At Will
7. Seal Slayer
8. Manifesto
9. Dying Breed
10. Altruism
11. Temple Of Love
12. The Brave / Agony Applause - Acoustic Live Version
13. Martyr To Spam - Planetakis vs. Deadlock DJ Morgot
 
Deadlock is a German melodic death metal band that uses the back forth growling of a male vocalist and the singing of a female vocalist, known as beauty and the beast style vocals (and we mean beauty).

They are musically similar to bands like Disarmonia Mundi, or Sonic Syndicate, adding both heaviness and melody to every track. Manifesto is the band’s sixth full length album. It is the third with vocalist Sabine Weniger.

One thing that you have to understand about Deadlock is that they are vegans (at least those who write the lyrics are). So every song on this album is about animal rights in some form or another. Which is good, but sometimes it makes it seem like they are preaching to you say that if you enjoy hunting or eating a hamburger then you are a bad person.

Musically the album is strong, even though it does seem a little bit too factored (-trying too hard to make a single). The riffing and soloing is nice the bass does some pretty complex stuff and the two vocalist switch back and forth very nicely. However, it is the drum part that I enjoyed the most on this album.

The album starts out with techno music and bad words. Then it goes into the song “Martyr to Science” which sets the pace for the rest of the album, with heavy verses and catchy choruses. The next track is “Slaughter’s Palace” which has a very nice and soft chorus which is a strong contrast to the death metal growls and breakdowns of the rest of the song. The third full song is the singe “The Brave/The Agony Applause”, which is every thing you would ever want in a single. The next track has rap lyrics in it, and I do not mean it has some guy rapping over rock guitars, I mean that after the metal song is over it goes in to a rap song. Now I like some rap music, but this is far from good rap music, this is a definite minus on the album (tip when you can hear the changing of the sound clip skip to the next track) However, they make up for the rapping on the track “Fire at Will” which has a saxophone solo in the middle of it (good stuff). The track “Seal Slayer” has to be my personal favorite on the album. Former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Alvestam makes an appearance on the song “Dying Breed”. The last original track “Altuism” could be played on an adult commentary radio station, with its drum, piano, strings, and singing formula. The album ends with a cover of the The Sisters of Mercy track “Temple of Love”.

The first time I heard this album it blew me away, unfortunately it lost its punch after that, but it is still an album that should be checked out by any fan of Modern/Melodic Death Metal.

ROCK ON!!!!
 

 

Links

 
Deadlock on Myspace
Deadlock's official website
Buy the album
 
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                                                7/10
 
1.  "Call Out to the World" – 3:48
2.  "Never Again" – 3:19 Watch the video!
3.  "Not the Only" – 5:16
4.  "Tell Me" – 4:13
5.  "Not Like You" – 4:25
6.  "Leave Me Alone" – 3:00
7.  "Till I Come Alive" – 3:45
8.  "Strong Enough" – 3:13
9.  "Me" – 4:13
10. "Pain & Pleasure" – 3:53
11. "Fools Parade (Outro)" – 2:37
 
Nocturnal Rites have been around for a while. Their sound has evolved much over the years from a straight up Power Metal band to what they are now, a sort of rhythmic melodic metal band. Their most recent album "The 8th Sin" is quite amazing when you first pop it in but over the course of the album, you'll come to realize that listening to is like watching a summer blockbuster film: it's full of intense action and high energy that doesn't let up from beginning to end but unfortunately the entire range of the experience is fully taken in within the first few minutes or so.

The sound on this album can't be described in any other word but 'synthetic'. From the easily identifiable triggered drums to the guitar tone that sounds like it's compressed to hell and back then run through a gate to create that super choppy, pounding rhythm, everything about this album is very processed. I don't get an organic vibe from it in the slightest bit, not even on the ballad track as the vocals are way too high in the mix to be generally pleasant. The only place that it sounds genuine is near the middle of the final track, an instrumental called "Fool's Paradise". Mind you, it's not a bad sound, just...overdone in places.

Nocturnal Rites aren't breaking any new ground with the song structures on "The 8th Sin". Almost every song on here could have been the radio cut. The chord progressions and overall structures for the songs are largely the same, as are the vocal melodies. The lyrics are cliche and every song with the exception of one makes use of a chorus line to catch the ear when the hook kicks in. Normally a chorus line is a very catchy songwriting mechanic. But on "The 8th Sin" it's used so much that it loses its appeal. The keys do everything necessary to help create the "wall of sound" and don't stray out of the zone of accompaniment too much if at all.

The members of Nocturnal Rites are all proficient at their instruments. Each song contains an appropriately flashy solo, showcasing Fredrik Mannberg's chops. Owe Lingvall's drumming is usually quite interesting rhythmically and the studio session keyboardist is no slouch either but normally doesn't get much time to shine. Jonny Lindkvist is very good and has a nice range and pleasing timbre in his voice, accentuated by the aforementioned chorus line.

On the surface it would seem that Nocturnal Rites have given us everything that we could ask for in a metal album: catchy choruses, flashy solos, pounding drums, tight rhythms and a sappy ballad. As it turns out, there isn't much more BENEATH the surface. Nocturnal Rites show us all their tricks right at the start, leaving the listener with nothing to look forward to in repeated listenings that they haven't already heard before. "The 8th Sin" is an album full of "singles". It's ass-kickingly awesome in 1 or 2 song doses but the album as a whole ends up being too much icing and not enough cake.
 

 

Links

 
Nocturnal Rites on Myspace
Nocturnal Rites official website
Buy the album
 
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                                          9.5/10
 
1.  When Waters Run Deep - 1:01
2.  The Serpent Servant - 3:26
3.  Anything Goes - 4:42
4.  Storming The Gates Of Hell - 3:43
5.  Welcome To Forever - 3:46
6.  More Than Conquerors - 4:27 Watch the video!
7.  Revival: America - 2:35
8.  In The House Of Mourning - 2:38
9.  When I Speak - 3:52
10. City Of Refuge - 2:42
11. Beginnings - 2:55
 
Honestly, I really don’t know where to start with this review. Impending Doom, the Death metal five piece of Riverside, Cali, has grown up significantly on their new album, “The Serpent Servant”, since there first release, “Nailed. Dead. Risen.” With Nailed., while listening to the album, I kind of felt like I was listening to a cover of a cover of a death metal band. It was good, but felt so unnatural. With the new album, they don’t force it, it just comes about organically. I’ve watched this band since the very beginning and I must say; this album has taken me completely by surprise.


This time around, the vocalist, Brook Reeve’s, has blindsided me with his vocal changes. In the first album, his vocals were completely sludgy/doomy and didn’t have much form but were still good. This time around he has cleaned them up, and added some more range, but still sticks mainly to the low growling, which is A-ok with me. You can actually understand what he is trying to get across now, as opposed to trying to decipher a single word through an entire song in regards to the first album.

The vocals aren’t the only thing that has gone through some refurbishing. Upon hearing the drums for this album, my jaw dropped, and didn’t close again until the end of the album. Chad Blackwell has also cleaned up his act, adding even more super-gnar fills, and even some nice driving double-bass action. Where as in the last album, we got a lot of blast beats, and that’s pretty much all we got. Don’t get me wrong, we still get the blasts, but we get them with some tasty new stuff as well.

In addition, Cory Johnson(guitars), Manny Contreras(guitars) and Dave Sittig(bass) have also got some new goodies in store for us. Example: the lead guitar has taken a turn for the better. When you hear those groovy, wicked-evil doom lead lines that you didn’t hear on the first album, you’ll know what I’m talking about. ‘Nuff said.


Overall, this band has progressed so much and it makes me extremely happy and proud to have been able to be a part of their growing up process. However, just like the book “Everyone Poops” by Tari Gomi (a personal favorite of mine that has helped me overcome several personal boundaries in the field of bowel movements), Everything comes with its downsides. The album tends to get a bit repetitive after track nine. the CD is only eleven tracks though, so we are all good there. Also, completely off the topic of their musicianship and general rockingness, I had the good fortune to see Impending Doom on their winter tour with The Acacia Strain and As Blood Runs Black(which were very disappointing, but I’ll save that story for another review). Upon them walking out on the stage, they were all wearing black button down shirts, with there new insignia on the pocket. Which to me, strangely resembles that of Slipknot, those silly masked-bastards who run around hitting beer kegs with beater sticks and generally sucking all together. Where their musicianship lacked, there sweet Halloween costumes made up for it(totally kidding, I swear to goth I didn’t attend one of their Atlanta shows in August 2004, honest). Regardless, Just a minor detail is all.

In conclusion, am I going to recommend this album to a friend? Yessir! Am I going to listen to it on a regular basis and hang tough while doing so? Youuuu Betcha! 
 

 

Links

 
Impending Doom on Myspace
Buy the album
 
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                    6.5/10                                                                                        
 
1.  "Heroes of Our Time" Watch the video!
2.  "The Fire Still Burns"
3.  "Reasons to Live"
4.  "Heartbreak Armageddon"
5.  "The Last Journey Home"
6.  "A Flame for Freedom"
7.  "Inside the Winter Storm"
8.  "The Warrior Inside"
9.  "Strike of the Ninja" (special edition)
10. "Scars of Yesterday" (special edition)
11. "E.P.M." (Japanese bonus)
 
By now, everyone knows about Dragonforce. They are a British power metal band that invented the sub-sub-sub-genre known as Extreme Power Metal. The only problem is that there are no other bands that play Extreme Power Metal. Therefore, fans of the genre have only one option - Dragonforce. Everyone who listens to Dragonforce knows to expect three things when listening to a new Dragonforce album. These are ultra cheesy lyrics, longer than ordinary song times (most of them are twice as long as the average song), and ridiculously long guitar solos that are virtually impossible to pass in Guitar Hero (Yes, I know some people can.) Dragonforce's first three albums showcase all of these traits in a rather obvious manner. Their newest album, "Ultra Beatdown", delivers yet another album with all of the aforementioned characteristics. It's really just another Dragonforce album. I will say that I actually laughed out loud at the lyrics this time, as it seems they really loaded up on the cheese and corn when writing the lyrics for this album. "Ultra Beatdown"'s lyrics are actually far worse than those of "Inhuman Rampage", as strange as that may sound. For me, this gives "Ultra Beatdown" a +1. It also gives the fans what they want, which is another +1. I can also give it a +1 for "Heroes of our Time," as I can actually beat it on Guitar Hero, something I have yet to accomplish with "Through the Fire and Flames". :( However, I have to give it a -1 for lack of originality. Actually, I think it deserves a -3 for lack of originality since "Ultra Beatdown" marks the third straight album where nothing has changed since "Valley of the Damned". If you do the math, you're left with a 0. This means "Ultra Beatdown" gets the same score I would give the last two albums - 7/10. However, since I'm not a nice person when it comes to lack of originality, I give it a 6.5/10. The novelty has lost its novelness. I know that's not a real word, but that's the point. Some people will get it.

Now that I'm through talking about the standard album, I want to address the special edition. The special edition includes two additional songs this time, not just one. This is definitely a plus. There is also the Japanese edition which gets both of the bonus songs and an extra one called "E.P.M." which stands for Extreme Power Metal. I love this. To me it shows that the members of Dragonforce don't really take themselves seriously. Everyone not living in denial knew this already, but I find this to be Dragonforce's way of telling the world... er, Japan. The song itself is by far the most ridiculous song they've done to date and the lyrics make less sense than any other Dragonforce song. Now, if only the album was available outside Japan...

I also wish to address one of the songs on the special edition called "Strike of the Ninja." This song is notable because it clocks in at just over three minutes, by far the shortest unedited Dragonforce song recorded to date. Like a ninja, it strikes quickly then disappears before the victim knows what hit him. I call this something original. The song itself is the same old song and dance you'd expect from Dragonforce, save the guitar solo, which is only about thirty seconds long, but it's a fresh idea and I don't think anyone else has done anything like it. To me, this makes the special edition album a little better than the standard album.

So, is it worth buying? Not unless you're a die hard Dragonforce fan. I don't think one song warrants a purchase. And one song definitely doesn't warrant an overseas shipment. Just go on Youtube and listen to Strike of the Ninja and E.P.M. or download them on iTunes or something. If you have "Valley of the Damned", "Sonic Firestorm", and/or "Inhuman Rampage", then you've heard all the rest before, I promise.

Standard album - 6.5/10
Special Edition album - 7.5/10
Japan Only album - 8/10 
 

 

Links

 
Dragonforce on Myspace
Dragonforce's official website
Buy the album
 
Ok, you've heard what we have to say now it's YOUR turn. Speak up and comment!

Edge: Hi guys. First off we'd like to say thanks for taking the time to do this interview for Edge and congratulations on finishing the album and having it released on Nightmare Records.

Alkemyst: Thank your for your attention and your interest. Yes, we're proud to know that our fans and anyone who feels interested in Alkemyst can listen to our new album thanks to Nightmare Records.

Edge: For those not familiar with you, could you please give us a short bio?

Alkemyst: Sure, it all started in 1998, the line up hasn’t changed (except for our singer). We used to play a lot of covers in those days. Our first songs were very much inspired by bands such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Helloween or Gamma Ray. We played a few gigs in our area, we formed a young but appreciated speed melodic band. However, as time went by, our musical tastes sharpened as we grew old and we soon felt the need to compose much more complex structures with more and more progressive atmospheres. Therefore, we started to add small hints of prog’metal music in Alkemyst music.Our first album ‘A Meeting in the Mist’ was released in 2003 under Nuclear Blast. It was a great opportunity for us, we thought we were very lucky. But, it soon turned out that Alkemyst couldn’t be a priority for them. We were young and we wanted to finish studying so we could get a job. You know, we're don't make music for our living, it's not a career to us, it's a passion we share. Anyway, after this experience, we took time to think it over and decide what our conception of music was for the future of the band. Then, we started writing "Through Painful Lanes" with brand new material and the strong will to create 10 great catchy but complex songs you can still hear within 10 years.

Edge: Can you describe the recording process for "Through Painful Lanes"?

Alkemyst: We produced the majority of "Through Painful Lanes", except for the drums. It's difficult as it's very demanding. We had to take time to get all the sophisticated material you need to record an album (as microphones for instance) but Arnaud Menard (guitars) wanted to create his own studio, so this recording session was an opportunity for us. We recorded each instrument one by one at different places. The mix of the album was done in a studio in Geneva (Taurus studio) and the mastering in Finnland (Finn Vox). The decision of the self produced album allowed us to spend less money and we could take the time for the recording sessions without being stressed out by deadlines or financial matters. The thing is that someday you have to be satisfied with your work and as we're not great musicians though we 're perfectionist, it took us lots of takes before we could say 'we're done, great job guys'.

Edge: Do you have a favorite track from that album?

Alkemyst: Yeah many !! More seriously, I love When the morning comes and the eponymous song (Through Painful Lanes). To me, these two songs perfeclty represent what we try to do in Alkemyst : writing atmospheric and powerful songs that convey a wide range of emotions.

Edge: Over the years France has begun to develop it's own unique sound in the progressive metal scene. What do you say to that?

Alkemyst: Well I say carry on guys ! We need to show people that Heavy Metal is a wonderful music with many varieties. Few people know that. I'm sick and tired of having to explain that Heavy Metal isn't just noise you know. So, the more popular Heavy Metal bands are, the happier I am. However, it's hard to exist among so many talented musicians. I mean internet is powerful tool but it's the mirror of a certain globalization of exchanges and relations and I feel like htere are more talented musicians than 10 years ago, which makes it more difficult. I know a couple of bands in France, some of them are friends especially in our area (the French Alps). You may have heard of Inner Vision (we'll soon play with them in Annecy on the 7th of May), Eternal Flight (our drummer plays in this band as well) or bands like Heavenly, or Dyslesia which have been working very hard as well to get an international reputation. I have to say that we try not to listen to what they say as we want to focus our attention on our own style. You know, concerning the fact that there are many bands, I think that what makes a band really stand out is the quality of the music (the songwriting), not the virtuosity of the musicians.

Edge: What's next for Alkemyst?

Alkemyst: Well a couple of gigs are ahead in the next weeks in France and of course, maybe some songs will be recorded live during those gigs. Perhaps, live performances abroad in the following months, I mean who knows? We would love to do it. We're working on new material of our third album as well, but as we can't disappoint our fans (and ourselves), we'll take enough time to make sure we come back with original songs.

Edge: Thanks again for your time and we're looking forward to more great things from Alkemyst!

Alkemyst: Thanks a lot for your support and for this interview; it's been a pleasure. See you around guys !
Severin Bonneville (guitars)

                    9/10

1.  The Passing
2.  In Your Words
3.  Set to Fail Watch the video!
4.  Contractor
5.  Fake Messiah
6.  Grace
7.  Broken Hands
8.  Dead Seeds
9.  Everything to Nothing
10. Choke Sermon
11. Reclamation

Lamb of God is a band that needs no introduction.  They are one of the most popular metal bands in the world today.  Their thrash/modern metal/deathcore sound has made them a regular on metal shows such as Headbangers Ball.

While Lamb of God’s music has in the past been a pissed off attack at religious and political issues, the new album Wrath seems to be more of an alcohol and testosterone covered satire of life.  Musically this album is just so much…(for lack of a better word)… dirtier, than anything they have ever put out in the past.  This album is much more of a thrash album than their earlier deathcore material.  There are points in the album that it reminds me of Superjoint Ritual.  The riffing even seems to have a little bit a southern twang sneaking in (not Maylene and the Sons of Disaster southern, but more like Pantera).

Wrath is full of crushing and groovy guitar riffs,  (if you liked the riffing in “Redneck” off the last album you are going to love this one), some great solos and lead parts too.  They even added in some acoustic guitar on the tracks “Grace”, “Reclamation” and “The Passing”.  The drumming, while still using the ultra tight snare that make LOG so easy to identify, on this album (to steal a line from one of the vocalist I jam with) “is going off”.  The vocals are still the same intense harsh vocals we have come to expect from Lamb of God, but on this album they have added group vocals and screams that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.  On this album they have also taken steps to adding melody to their songs, …. well baby steps at least.

 The album starts with the track “The Passing” which is an instrumental track that warms you up for the  @**whoopin’ that is to come.  The next track “In Your Words” gives you the first listen to their new dirty sound.  Then it is the single “Set to Fail”, which most everybody in the metal world has been already jamming to.  Other great songs are “Grace” which brings back the soft guitars.  My favorite track “Broken Hands” which is a definite mosh starter.  “Dead Seeds”  and “Everything to Nothing” are both great tracks too.  The final regular track is “Reclamation” which I can best describe as “murder you in the woods” music, and if you have the copy with the bonus track “We Die Alone” then you are in for a treat.

Wrath could just be the best Lamb of God album to date, I really enjoyed listening to this one.

ROCK ON!!!!

Links

Lamb of God on Myspace
Lamb of God's official website
Buy the album

Okay, you've heard what we have to say, now it's YOUR turn. Speak up and comment!

Edge Reviews' own Dan "of Death" recently caught up with Cradle of Filth at the Masquerade in Atlanta, GA and was able to get a couple of questions. While officially representing Jag TV, a college news station, Edge has the privelege of posting this interview here as well. Check out this 2 parter!

                    7/10

1. "L.O.V.E."
2. "Flush" watch the video
3. "Loyalty"
4. "Re-Bel"
5. "Home"
6. "Save Me from Myself"
7. "Die Religion Die"
8. "Adonai"
9. "Money"
10. "Shake"
11. "Washed By Blood"

In 2005 former Korn Guitarist Brain “Head” Welch, dedicated his life to Christ and left the band. He then went out on a mission to reinvent himself, and hit the studio to record his first solo album. However musically he did not stray to far from the style of music that was made back during his time in Korn.

Brain “Head” Welch made it his goal to make no mistake that this is a Christian album, and lyrically this is clear, even if song titles like “Die Religion Die”(one of the heavier song on the album) and the music video for the single “Flush” may seem otherwise.

Musically this is an album out of its time. Save Me from Myself would have fit in much better in 1998 than 2008. This album is very Nu Metal, in both lyrics and music. It is full of passion, rage and confusion, just a huge ball of energized emotions, like everything at the turn of the millennium. Musically it is not complex, using a combination of distorted guitars, sound clips, and keyboard to make the music have a very eerie sound. There are some very nice vocal melodies on this album. The music and vocals hop for harsh and heavy to melodic and comforting, adding to the emotional pull of the album. They say that there are 3 ways to make an album: you can make it for the record label(aka for money), you can make it for the fans, or you can make it for yourself, the third is the way that Head made this album, and you can tell this by the whole intrapersonal feel of every song. Lyrically this is the kind of album that can change the life of an emotionally challenged teenager, but most metalheads will bored by it.

One of the most interesting songs on this album is the track “Re-Bel”, which uses a small children choir during the verses, harsh music and vocals in the chorus and a very comforting bridge. Lyrically the song is telling children to rebel against the screwed up behaviors of their parents; such as neglect and abuse. The album is filled with many great song, a couple being very radio friendly such as “L.O.V.E” “Flush” “Adonia” and “Money”.

This is album is a perfect fit for two types of people: people who love Christian themed music, and people who miss the Nu Metal scene. I really do not see it reaching past to anybody else. So if you get every album that Rocks for God, then you have to get this, or if you are still jamming out to bands like Korn, Dope, and Flaw then check this one out.

ROCK ON!!!!

Links

Head on Myspace
Head's official website
Buy the album

Okay, you've heard what we have to say, now it's YOUR turn. Speak up and comment!

                    9/10

1. "Broken Wings" - 4:42 Watch the video!
2. "Soaked" - 4:58
3. "Fear" - 4:15
4. "When Kingdoms Fall" - 5:32
5. "In Confidence" - 4:03
6. "Fail" - 4:50
7. "Numb" - 5:17
8. "Torn" - 4:43
9. "Nothing Is Erased" - 4:40
10. "Still Walk Alone" - 4:43
11. "These Scars" - 5:51

Evergrey has a sort of pedigree in dark atmospheric metal. With lyrics mostly pertaining to death, loss, fear and being human, Evergrey know how to touch certain emotions. These Swedish prog metallers have had a tradition of mixing and producing their own material, a tradition that was put aside on their last album "Monday Morning Apocalypse" and one that they've returned to on their latest album "Torn" and it's all the better for it. "Torn" sounds almost like a full departure from the sound on "Monday Morning Apocalypse" and more like a natural progression of their sound from "The Inner Circle". The songs are all dark, heavy, lyrically intense and moving.

The production on this album is stellar. This is the best Evergrey has ever sounded. The low end is very present but not overbearing. The guitar sound is very smooth on this album. It's hard to put in words. The chug riffs are very chunky indeed but the leads and melody lines are never lost in the sound. They don't necessarily cut through the mix but sit perfectly within it. The keys on this album are a bit lower in the mix which helps give the "wall of sound" that so many bands try to get. They take center stage when appropriate and do a wonderful job creating a moody sound in other places as well.

The songwriting on "Torn" rivals that of Opeth in their ability to create tension with their music. It pulls the listener in and holds them tightly, only to let go at just the right time. Nowhere on the album is this more apparent than on the track "When Kingdoms Fall". I can hear bits and pieces of "Monday Morning Apocalypse" here and there but there's also a lot of "Recreation Day" and even some "In Search of Truth" sounding parts on this album. The way different parts of the music transition, the way the guitars harmonize and play off each other, it's just a joy to listen to "Torn".

THe musicianship here is everything you'd expect from Evergrey. There are loads of intricate guitar lines laced throughout the songs. Solos soar and are flashy when appropriate but are also meaningful in relation to the rest of the song. The music just has an overall tightness that makes the listener feel like it's going somewhere. Tom Englund's vocals are not to be downplayed either. One of the most unique aspects of Evergrey is Englund's passionate delivery of each line of these songs. He has the kind of voice that you'll either love or hate considering the genre of music Evergrey are typically classified as. The rhythm section does an outstanding job kicking my ass during the heavy parts. This is music for musicians as well as everyone else.

If you haven't heard Evergrey before now, "Torn" is a great place to start. If you're a longtime fan, you won't be disappointed. Evergrey have once again shown that they are the masters of the dark side of progressive metal. Every song is worth the price of admission but if I have to pick a standout it would be "When Kingdoms Fall". Pick this one up now!

Links

Evergrey on myspace
Evergrey's official website
buy the album

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