EVERGREY
The Atlantic
AFM Records
One of my favorite aspects of being a Metalhead is the diversity of the music. I really love a band that can incorporate various shades of dark & light in their music. One of the very best and a personal favorite is EVERGREY from Sweden. Led by Viking sized singer/guitarist/songwriter Tom S. Englund, EVERGREY launched in 1993, and have been plying their trade ever since. Writing ambitious music with soul & depth, this isn’t some happy hair rock drivel. This is something more substantial. That’s not to say you can’t listen to EVERGREY while frolicking merrily thru life, but if you truly want to feel what Tom and drummer Jonas Ekdahl, guitarist Henrik Danhage, bassist Johan Niemann & keyboardist Rikard Zander have created is nothing short of spectacular.
Album opener and leadoff single "A Silent Arc" may be one of the heaviest songs in the band's career, but of course it’s not just straight ahead bludgeoning. EVERGREY have progressive tendencies as well, but not in a noodlie DREAM THEATER kind of way. "Weightless" has a straightforward Metal as anything riff and a great melody line to boot. "All I Have" has a Doom Metal riff that would make CANDLEMASS proud.
"A Secret Atlantis" is a solid banger done with the EVERGREY style of course, subtle but heavy as lead. "The Tidal" is a minute plus keyboard instrumental that leads into "End of Silence" with a riff that will have most Metalheads air-guitaring their ass off before the different layers of EVERGREY peel back showing that you a song doesn’t have to completely pummel you to death to remain heavy. "Currents" shows that in case it hasn’t dawned on you by now, Tom has one of the better voices in Metal. The man clearly has some chops.
"Departure" is a more brooding track, almost balladesque. The late, great Warrell Dane & Tom both share that rare gift to evoke real feelings of sadness and despair. And while that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it speaks volumes to me deep in my soul. "The Beacon" takes up where "Departure" leaves off, melancholy but beautiful all at the same time. The different lawyers of EVERGREY really come to the forefront here. Album closer "This Ocean" brings the heavy factor back and ends this album on a high note.
The Atlantic is the last in a 3 album trilogy. But lyrically is it just about a trek across the seemingly endless ocean, or is it deeper than that? Man's journey thru the waters of life?? Sit down, listen and draw your own conclusions.
And for my Vinyl Familia, this beautiful gatefold album with artwork by Greek artist Giannis Nakos is available in different color variations. Mine is the Gold/Black Marbled edition, limited to 100. Buy or die!!!
4.7 Out Of 5.0 Skulls
