Nevermore - This Godless Endeavor

Serious music

The words that keep coming back to me when I try to describe Nevermore's sixth album are "serious music." Be it vocals, music itself or the lyrics, everything projects a very non-trivial and profound character. And indeed this whole piece of art screams “Something is really wrong with our world.” Look at the grey album cover art with the little girl, suspicious look in her face. Take some of the lyrics:

The media loves the latest tragic suicide
They exploit it, then package it and profit from the people who die
Look at the world, look at the hell, look at the hate that we've made
Look at the final product, a world in slow decay

or

Why do we live this way?

Why do we have to say

The things that subvert the minds of youth?

Very straight-forward and clear those lyrics are, and it is good that some people speak about the condition humanity finds itself in. Warell Dane’s customary emotional utterances combined with angry half-growls work well to convey those apocalyptic desperate messages. Then think of the music, which not only kills but also completes the whole picture resulting in a very thematic release and one of the most consistent ever. The guitar work is in the heart of This Godless Endeavor (just like any other Nevermore album), and it is pretty much flawless. There is everything here: complex rhythms, acoustic guitars, technical skill, catchy hooks, and unbelievable soloing. One will also hear a lot of variety, with different tempos and approaches being used to support the vocals or create instrumental bridges: through fast, shred-like riffs and arpeggiated passages or just simple chord progressions, but sometimes also dissonant note sequences.

The main thing is that the music, lyrics, and vocals work together and complement each other to create an eerie atmosphere and project that serious mood, which not only makes one stop and contemplate a little about life, but also thoroughly admire ­– not just have fun with – the powerful artistic expression and musical accomplishment, which Nevermore has crafted with This Godless Endeavor.

Magnus - Magnus

Muddy the Riff Monster

Magnus are part of the underground scene in Fort Worth, TX. There is a tragic story behind the music on this album as the original guitarist/vocalist passed away in 2003, and the band went on hiatus till 2007. His demo vocal recordings can still be heard along with the vocals of Kenneth Thompson, who also plays the bass.

Now to the music itself...

Magnus' self-titled is a riff-based juggernaut with pounding bass and groovy restless drumming. The overall sound is very misleading: the production seems somewhat garagey, but somehow every component is still very clear and apparent, especially the bass, which stands out in a very subtle way. To describe Magnus’ self-titled, two words are really needed: riff storm. And indeed, the mighty riff is in the heart of this release… the mighty ever-changing, ever-shifting riff.

Overall there is a lot of sludgy groove, which is just fun listening to, but it’s not all that simple. The tracks are quite dynamic and even neurotic in the way the parts change each other, but at the same time Magnus do not go over the top with technicalities making them very listenable and easy-going. The exception would be the last track, which builds up for five minutes and only then bursts into a chaotic, psychedelic and also, in some oxymoronic way, soothing delirium. The rare occasions, on which vocals appear, could be described as shrieks of a desperate madman, which complement the sludgy atmosphere in a most suitable way.

To listen to the album, go by this link and behold the rise of the riff-monster.

The band has changed the name to Unraveler. Follow them on Facebook.

Opeth - Heritage

Carpe Diem!

 

I can't help but admire Opeth, especially the brave genius of Mikael Akerfeldt that stands behind its creative force, and Heritage is its latest embodiment. It sounds like nothing that Opeth has ever done and at the same time it is everything. The form is very different, but the content is full of undeniably Opethian spirit. As the band members have numerously mentioned, the new album is a musical heritage, not only of Opeth's past achievements, but also the music that Mikael likes, e.g. the evident presence of 70's prog and classic rock and, as others have noted, Swedish folk music, which I am not yet familiar with.

This new child of Opeth is not a perfect album, but it is a blow of fresh air; it is daring. One must be free indeed to delete forever two ready songs similar in style to Watershed (and that's what Mikael did) and yield himself to what one's heart is telling him. Free, daring, and independent, this is what this album is, but also utterly original and surprising.

It will take a few spins to start appreciating Heritage, but those spins will take one on an exiting journey. Yes, it will hurt a little at the beginning, but once the mind opens, an entire new world will unravel to discover and explore. Dare to do it.

Echoes - Nature|Existence

Amazing debut from Venezuela

Echoes' Nature|Existence is simply an epitome of prog, which reminds one of the numerous great prog metal bands: Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, Riverside, Symphony X, Evergrey etc.; nevertheless, one does not get the feeling of stale imitation. These guys are amazing composers, who have collaborated with talented vocalists to create this epic stellar monster, with songs that will not leave you indifferent: great instrumentals and tunes with deep emotional vocals. If you somehow missed Demonic Tutor's review of the album, do yourself a favor and check it out, and then get hold of this piece of art!