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: : The Inner Circle : :
I’ll tell you what, I LOVE THIS CD! Can I just start off by saying that? When we are
so regularly fed a constant flow of ‘me too’ bands, it is great to hear a band that
has followed the clear heavy metal path they set for themselves from their first
release in 1989 to this day. Founded in Sweden back in the late 1980’s, Evergrey has
been a leader in the power metal arena and has never tried to be anything but what
they are, an in your face chugga, chugga, double bass rock band. Whew, I’ve been
overworking my air guitar listening to this CD.
This CD is metal in the classic sense, none of that nu-metal barf. The listener is
treated to tons of quad kick bass, chugga chugga guitars, serious riffing, and
demanding crisp hypnotic vocals that just tear at your heart. So, if you don’t like
what I’ve just described then it’s time to go grab that boy band of the week CD you
keep hidden in your closet and listen to that.
If however you have a love for power metal then read on, this CD as they say, is for
YOU!
The Inner Circle works on many levels, each with its own start, bridge and
conclusion. First, you have a lyrical line that is so much more than boy meets girl,
boy finds girl, girl finds girl, girl leaves boy kinda stupid lyrics. Songs that
question the religious zealots of all faiths, songs that speak to the power of true
conviction and yes songs of betrayal and back stabbing.
Second, you find yourself entwined in the musical prowess of each player. Henrick’s
guitar work is stellar and his lead fills are certainly something that must be heard
to truly appreciate.
Ah but then you have the rhythm section. Michael Hakansson was on the last Evergrey
release but Jonas Ekdohl has been added on drums and buddy this dude can really
crank. Both are two of the strongest players on these instruments I’ve heard in
years regardless of band style. I’ve always said, regardless of the style of music,
without a solid rhythm section all else pales.
Thirdly, you have a musical execution of the overall concept, which takes the
listener to places that words alone just cannot describe. Welcome to the Inner
Circle, welcome to the world of Evergrey!
The CD opens with “A Touch of Blessing” a slowly building song that offers a
backhanded slap at false preachers and profits. Jonas’s drumming sets the tone for
what is to follow. “Ambassador” follows and Henrick’s guitar is simply slaying as
you are driven down a winding mountain road of high speed riffing only slowing to
build a dirge like chant then rapidly accelerating up hill to more screaming guitars
and double bass drum rolls from the clouds of heaven.
You barely have time to catch your breath when “In the Wake of the Weary” starts
screaming out of the speakers. Man, Tom Englund can sing. No ‘cookie monster’ vocals
at all yet just a touch of roughness so that you know this is no “girly man” singing
for sure.
The use of Carina Englund’s wonderful female vox is one of those little touches that
make this CD all the more tasteful.
“Harmless Wishes” finds the tempo slightly slowed down and Tom showing us his vocal
range from a slow almost Frank Sinatra croon to bordering in on a Geddy Lee falsetto
scream. Nice, very, very nice!
The only truly slow song, a ballad if you will is “Waking Up Blind”. Again, Tom’s
singing is the center piece of this moving and thought provoking song. Henrick’s
guitar solo is one of those slow and powerful moments when you just want more and
more.
After such a slow and pensive song the Evergrey boys slap you about the head
severely with “More Than Ever”. This is not bludgeoning just for the sake of
bludgeoning. No, just damn good crunchy guitars and double kick bass. The song drops
into quiet passages with strong riffing acting as bookends. Whoa Nelly, can you say
head banging!
You must hear the power and imagery in the concluding song “When the Walls Go Down”.
Like wow my head banging brothers and sisters, like FN wow!
I could go on and on about the songs on this CD, but suffice it to say that each
tract is better than the one before.
So, The Inner Circle is powerful and melodic metal adding elements of progressive
rock without any long ‘epic’ influences. Evergrey covers the whole heavy metal
musical ground from serious up-tempo grooves, aggressive riffing and quiet
introverted parts. If you love heavy metal that is complex but accessible, if you
appreciate top quality musicianship that is never ‘over the top’, if you love
harmonic vocals and lyrics that draw you in deeper and deeper with each listen, then Evergrey’s “The Inner Circle” is definitely for you.
Rating: 9 of 10
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis
: Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
The Dark Discovery - 1998
Solitude • Dominance • Tragedy - 1999
In Search of Truth - 2001
Recreation Day - 2003
The Dark Discovery (Special Edition) - 2004
Solitude • Dominance • Tragedy (Special Edition) - 2004
The Inner Circle - 2004
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Record Label : :
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