Swedish power metal with dark melancholic moods. This morose metal band started out in 1994. These guys have really found their own style. On their old website they described themselves like this: "If you draw a triangle and name the corners Pantera, Megadeth and Queensrÿche, you will in one way or another end up with 180 degrees of pure metal. It takes a hell of a lot to make this work in practice... Evergrey succeeds!!" On their new site they have this to say: "In these days of paint-by-numbers releases, where everyone mimics the elite purveyors of a particular style, Evergrey’s music is something unique. Reviewers, and fans alike, typically use other bands as a reference point when discussing music. “They sound like X,” is a common refrain. Not so, Evergrey. Built on a solid foundation of progressive metal, the multi-dimension voice of guitarist Tom S. Englund is what separates these Swedes. The lanky front man possesses both a coarse, rasp and silky voice, equally suited for the band’s diverse repertoire. Regardless of which set of vocal chords he employed, Englund delivers an emotional performance, from pained, heart wrenching agony to bitter aggression".

THE DARK DISCOVERY (1998) GNW

This is a band I got into because of Scream Magazine. I remeber hearing them on the bus, on a trip to a concert in Germany, Later I read a review in the mag, giving it 5/6. My interest was triggered, so I bought the album as soon as I found it. But at first I couldn't seem to get into it. It sounded like a pretty standard doom band. Soon it hit me though; this was much more than a Candlemass rip-off. Evergrey had more of a power metal sound (ala Iced Earth's slower songs) than a doom sound. They struck me as quite unique. So although this debut album doesn't bring the band into the big league, it sure brings a message that bigger and better things are to come. The album is produced by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond).

Killer tracks: Blackened Dawn, December 26th, When The River Calls, To Hope Id To Fear

SOLITUDE DOMINANCE TRAGEDY (1999) GNW

Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!! This is one of the best albums I have ever heard!! This blows away all competition, and then some!! There are very few albums in a lifetime that gives you this feeling after the first listen. Goosebumps from 1st note, to the very last! 'Solitude Dominance Tragedy' has this mood, this all over wonderful feeling, that just absorbs me. Trimming the edges from their last effort, Evergrey have with this album released their first masterpiece! Delivering the perfect blend of dark power metal and prog. BUY!!!!!!

Killer tacks: You just don't pick single songs from this masterpiece!

IN SEARCH FOR TRUTH (2001) HELLION

Read my thoughts on 'Solitude Dominance Tragedy'. Now imagine what it was like to put on another Evergrey album after that. I mean, could one even hope to like anything as much as I do that album? All I have to say is: YES! The unbelievable happens, as this incredible band almost manage to outdo themselves. Evergrey have simply delivered an album equally as good as it's predecessor. 'In Search For Truth' is a stunning piece of work, and I'm left with my jaw hanging down to the floor. The opening track alone is enough to feed my ears for hours. Their unique sound of heartfelt sorrow, and power metal is spine chilling, to say the least. Andy LaRocque have given the album a razor-sharp sound. Elements such as female voices, spoken parts etc. all helps to create a mood throughout the album, even making it sound like a movie-soundtrack at times. I think it is some sort of a concept album. It might not tell a story, but there is definitely a connection between the songs. My guess is that it's all about alien abduction.

Killer tracks: Again, all of them!

RECREATION DAY (2003) INSIDE OUT (Limited Edition Digi-book)

The rumors had it that Evergrey were back in shape on this one. But since I had not heard their last effort, 'In Search Of Truth', prior to buying this one, to me this band had just released another top notch album. It's not as good as 'Solitude Dominance Tragedy', although it has far superior production and sound. Evergrey have this unique style that works very well for them. All I can say that this is another great melancholic power metal platter from the masters of this genre. Oh, my version is the digi-book version, which includes a bonus track. "Trilogy Of The Damned" is an acoustic medley with 3 previously released songs. "I'm Sorry" is an obscure cover of a Swedish female pop-singer, named Dilba Demirbag.

Killer tracks: The Great Deceiver, As I Lie Here Bleeding, Recreation Day, I'm Sorry

THE INNER CIRCLE (2004) INSIDE OUT (Limited Edition Digi-book)

If it is one thing this band has always managed to do, it is to surprise me. Usually when a band grabs me like Evergrey did with their second album, they never seem to quite deliver just as good on any albums after that. But not only have they delivered equally good material, this time they have even outdone themselves! 'The Inner Circle' is by far their best work to date, and also my number 1 pick for best album in 2004 (I don't think nay other release will top this for me this year). The album is a concept about following cults, and submitting to blind faith and "evil" leaders. My guess is that the resent tragic happenings in a Pentecostal church in Knutby (a little town in Sweden), where the pastor now is charged for murder of his current, and past, wife, triggered an inspiration for the lyrics. The music is a roller coaster ride like I've seldom experienced from a secular artist before. I actually feel drawn into the music, lyrically and musically. The music is so emotional and powerful and very well balanced throughout the entire album. Tom's soaring voice sounds better then ever, lifting the "story" to higher levels, as you can here the angst and depression progressing. The final track is ("When The Walls Go Down") is an instrumental one, with only narrated lyrics, sampled from a movie (I think). The perfect end to a perfect album. The special edition digi-book comes with 3 acoustic bonus tracks. And those 3 tracks are unbelievably great too. The version of "I'm Sorry" shows that Tom is one of the best singers in today's metal scene. Any metalhead owes it to themselves to check this masterpiece out!

Killer tracks: All of them!

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (2005) INSIDE OUT (2CD)

Evergrey grew into one of my all time favorite bands, fast! But sadly I haven't seen the band live since after the release of 'Solitude Dominance Tragedy'. Thus I thought that this double live album, recorded October 9th, 2004 in their hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden, could function as a nice substitute. At first I bought the DVD version, and watched that. But I'm not a huge fan of music DVD's, as I tend to watch them only once, and then let them rest on the shelf. Soon Inside Out released the same concert as a double CD set, and then I got to hear this concert whenever I wanted. Still I have to report that while I really enjoyed watching the DVD concert, this double live CD somewhat fails to deliver. Evergrey's music is just so complex, and the little nuances in the bands music, that comes alive so vividly on their studio efforts, are just not that easily heard here. On the first half of CD 1, the performance comes across as a tad lifeless. Even if the production is as good as it can be on a live album, it still doesn't give me the I'm-in-the-audience feeling a great live album should. The problem might also be that most of these songs are written to fit into a concept, when they are pulled from their "natural habitat", or out of order if you will, they are maybe less impressive. But luckily this picks up from the splendid "Blackened Dawn". And CD 2 is a showcase in dark, moody, progressive power metal! So even though I might sound negative here, there is no denying the powerful material this band can show for. And if you have time to sit down with your headphones, close your eyes and crank it to 11, then you're in for a couple of hours prog metal heaven! Complete with a symphonic orchestra and a choir, some of these tracks are given new life. So given all of your attention, this is still a good live album. But I wouldn't recommend it to get to know this eminent band.

MONDAY MORNING APOCALYPSE (2006) INSIDE OUT (Limited edition)

By now I have to admit that this band can do no wrong, in my ears. The rumors had it that this time the Swedes were recording much shorter songs, with an almost commercial approach. But make no mistake about it, this is not you're radio friendly pop music none the less! One might cynically say that the success of "I'm Sorry" made the band want to record an entire album around the same mold. Heck, even I was tempted to utter such blasphemies upon my first listen to 'Monday Morning Apocalypse'. But listening to the CD again, I quickly understood that this was simply not the case at all. This is a new Evergrey album, nothing more, nothing less! Yes, they have toned down the complicated song structures for songs that stick quicker to untrained ears. But peel a little under the surface, and all the elements from their other albums are still here, and then some! Tom always created this moods that no other have ever been close to. Call it his trademark sound if you will, but this is a large part of my appeal to this band. Ad when he bring in his wife on "Lost" you get as much emotion as you can in a metal tune! My only complaint here must be that some of the songs sound just a tad too familiar, making me suspicious about some re-used ideas here and there. Still, this another fine album in the already impressive Evergrey catalogue.

Killer tracks: As usual, every song is a masterpiece.

TORN (2008) SPV (Limited Edition)

A new bass-player and a new record label, but the same old Evergrey! These Swedes have yet to disappoint me, although it took me a while to grasp 'Monday Morning Apocalypse' completely. And the snippets and sound bites from this album laid out on the bands official website, and MySpace page left me longing for the entire album! 'Torn' is yet another astonishing Evergrey effort. Whereas 'Monday Morning Apocalypse' thread down a different path, with a more streamlined songwriting style, 'Torn' sees the band once again back on more familiar grounds, combining the dark and melancholic with sounds of hope and uplifting moods. At least that is what I get from this. Sure, one can easily call the music depressive. I just find relief from my own stress, anxiety, anger and frustration from this kind of music. It's an outlet, and a chance to push through it without turning to means that are damaging. After all it's better to enjoy an hour of headbanging pleasure rather that slicing your wrists (a little dramatic, I know, but you catch my drift I hope). Evergrey are the masters of this doomy, dark and progressive power metal. I've read that the band frowns upon the progressive tag. They feel it belongs on technical bands, like Dream Theater, and that Evergrey is just metal. Be that as it may, I still found their music to be both inventive, and progressive. They are certainly not your average party metal, nor have they much else in common with the flowery melodic metal kids today call power metal. No, this is powerful music for powerful emotions. My only minor complaint on 'Torn' must be that it doesn't exactly sound so very "new" any longer. You know what you get, and there are no surprises here. But if you, as me, like this kind of metal, then I don't think you'll be let down by Tom and the gang this time around either.

As usual, I bought the limited edition digi-pack version of the album. It comes with a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Broken Wings, Fear, Fail, Torn, Still Walk Alone, These Scars, Caught In A Lie

Henrik Danhage guest appearences:

Nocturnal Rites - 'Grand Illusion'

Related artists:

Soilwork, Stratovarius, Hammerfall, Cans, Kotipelto