Release Date: September
30, 2014
Label: AFM Records
When it comes to making great music, there is no country
who does it quite like Sweden. It must
be something in the air, because this northern land is not in want of talented
musicians and bands, especially when it comes to making kick-ass metal
music. With their origins in Gothenburg,
the same place that spawned such bands as At the Gates and In Flames, Evergrey
have been at it since the mid-90s and are in their best shape yet.
Fronted by Tom S. Englund (guitars, vocals), Evergrey has
seen a revolving doors of artists come through, leaving Englund as its only
original member. However, this has not
stopped Evergrey, nor has it effected the quality of their music. The rest of the band consists of Rikard
Zander (keyboards), Johan Niemann (bass), Henrik Danhage (guitars), and Jonas
Ekdahl (drums). These are a great group
of guys and it really shows on this fantastic and intense album.
Hymns for the Broken starts with the
short and mysterious “The Awakening.”
This leads right into “King of Errors,” which comes out with a sound
that is loud and majestic and sets the stage for the rest of the album. There is a real presence here with the
soaring guitars, the booming drums, symphonic keyboards, and, not to forget,
the harmonious vocals. Everything just
fits together so well and so smoothly.
Announcing
itself with authority, “A New Dawn” captivates with its hard and crunchy
sound. The chorus really takes it to new
heights, as everything is put into the vocals and it is just gorgeous. Also, it has a guitar solo that will take
your breath away. “Wake a Change” takes the album in a different
direction. It dials it down for a slower
and introspective pace, allowing for a more emotional connection. With its symphonic opening, “Archaic Rage” is
heavy on the atmosphere and has an incredible instrumental part that really dazzles.
The
second half of the album begins strong with the exciting and demanding “Barricades.” It is like the soundtrack to a dark fairy
tale that will haunt your dreams. “Black
Undertow” carries on in the same dark vein as the previous song. “Hymns for the Broken” is another towering
effort, showcasing everything that is right with this band and album. The music is dark and crushing, and Englund’s
voice just towers over everything, creating that extra emotional affect as it
is impossible not to hear the heart in his voice. With the album nearing its end, the punishing
sound of “A Grand Collapse” crushes it with its menacing atmosphere. Closing
the album out is “The Aftermath.” Its
somber atmosphere and emotional yearnings are practically cathartic after
previous songs and makes for a wonderful conclusion.
We find Evergrey in fine form on Hymns for the Broken. I
think that there is not a song that I would consider bad or out-of-place on the
album. They have weathered their hiatus
and line-up changes over the past few years very well, and created one of the
top progressive metal albums of the year thus far. I am excited for what these guys will do
next. Until then, we have Hymns for the
Broken to enjoy.
4.5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: King of Errors, Archaic Rage, Hymns for the Broken
Tracks:
01.The Awakening
02.King of Errors
03.A New Dawn
04.Wake a Change
05.Archaic Rage
06.Barricades
07.Black Undertow
08.The Fire
09.Hymns for the Broken
10.Missing You
11.A Grand Collapse
12.The Aftermath
Tracks:
01.The Awakening
02.King of Errors
03.A New Dawn
04.Wake a Change
05.Archaic Rage
06.Barricades
07.Black Undertow
08.The Fire
09.Hymns for the Broken
10.Missing You
11.A Grand Collapse
12.The Aftermath
Brian McKinnon
September 10, 2014
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
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