After a 4 year hiatus following
Sanctuary's
"Into the Mirror Black" and the band's demise,
Warrel Dane and Co. were back! With a vengeance... The
Nevermore debut has been among my favorites of theirs since it was released.
Nevermore have never made an average album, each has its strength, but this debut has a vocal performance from
Warrel Dane that goes beyond most of their later works, probably because I like his ultra high pitch, which is sadly missing on later albums.
Nevermore's music is extremely heavy and technically very competent. Their music has always been flavored with a dark, slightly melancholic atmosphere that suits it very well.
Warrel Dane has the ability to sing in a very tortured voice and this brings a special emotion to the songs. Vocalist
Warrel Dane and Jim Sheppard on bass are the only
Sanctuary survivors left. The amazing Jeff Loomis now controls the guitar with a fierce, in your face approach while Van Williams keeps the music in the right groove by laying a solid drum foundation.
To say that
What Tomorrow Knows opens the disc on a heavy note would be a serious understatement. It delivers the
Nevermore trademark mid tempo heaviness like a strong punch to the stomach. Heavy and grooving to the extreme.
C.B.F. picks up speed without losing the heaviness. Superb guitar work and
Warrel Dane's vigorous singing are highlights of the song. The way he sings the line
"Another death is tasted, another life is wasted away" at the end of the song (4:38) has been etched in my mind since the first listen. I have not heard him reach these kind of ultra highs ever again.
The Sanity Assasin adds to the variety by being a highly melancholic and atmospheric experience. It has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. The strong empathy in
Warrel Dane's performance makes the song take on an otherworldy feel as it enters the chorus. This is the right way to make a convincing ballad if you're
Nevermore.
I absolutely love the opening to
Garden of Gray. As
Warrel Dane starts singing a vivid image reflects in my mind. Only problem with the song is that the chorus doesn't quite live up to the rest of the song, it is a little too static.
Sea of Possibilities is a fast paced thrasher and the least attractive song on the album.
The title
The Hurting Words is pretty much self explanatory. A very emotional song where
Warrel Dane sings with great conviction and opens up for a deeper connection with the song. The guitar solo is brilliant, expressing both sorrow and inner turmoil.
Timothy Leary deals with the man of the same name, who researched the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of LSD. The song has a nice groove but lacks something to make it stand beside my favorites. Maybe because the chorus fails to capture me.
Godmoney ends the album with a critical stab at religion. Without doubt the line
"And if there's a hell they're gonna burn" is a highlight of the whole disc.
Warrel Dane spews forth this line with such conviction that you will find yourself pulling back from the speakers at high volume.
The lyrics on the album deal with topics like personal trouble, inner strength, drugs, politics and religion. Everything is mostly looked at from a critical point of view and suits the music very well.
In the end
Nevermore's debut is an impressive marriage of brutal heaviness and dark melancholy. A great album which comes highly recommended.
Killer tracks: C.B.F, The Sanity Assassin, Garden of Gray, The Hurting Words, Godmoney
Written by
Steen Sunday, May 7, 2006
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