Rough Edge: Nevermore CD Reviews

NEVERMORE

"Enemies of Reality" (Century Media; 2003)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Nevermore's latest nine-track opus picks up where the outfit's gem, "Dead Heart in a Dead World," left off. These Seattle pioneers wheel out the agony for another morose metal masterpiece with "Enemies of Reality."

The murky mood and driving tones of these underground metallers comprise a unique union of progressive, thrash, and black metal, making "Enemies of Reality" as ominous as a brooding storm on a Northwestern afternoon. Like their previous work, the new CD is technically sound and pristinely performed.

If you're on suicide watch, it's probably best to skip Nevermore's work as its maelstrom of melancholy metal may be a bit too much to handle. But, if you're up for some dark, atmospheric, heavy aggression, allow Nevermore to supply the soundtrack.

Check out the band's official website at http://www.nevermore.tv.

"Dead Heart in a Dead World" (Century Media; 2000)

Reviewed by TBJ

In order for you to buy this album, there are really only three things you need to know:

Is it heavy? Is there any melody? Is there any aggression? The answer to all these questions is simple: HELL, YEAH!!

I had only limited knowledge of the Nevermore sound: I knew about them, heard maybe two songs (which to me sounded very cool) but I never really paid much attention to them. How wrong was I, and how wrong are you if you don’t own this CD already!

Nevermore basically bring all those things we love about both 80’s and 90’s metal to the new millennium with a few twist and turns. Yes, they have long locks of hair and, yes, the vocals are more reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson than Kurt Cobain, but something that really sets the music of Nevermore apart is the heaviness of the music. Heavier than your average Korn, these guys took their idea of guitar and made it sound good, putting those bass strings to excellent use sounding like a charging semi coming your way. Good to note that all the guitar work is done by just one guy - damn! The drums and bass being a perfect backbone to Jeff’s chugging riffs.

There’s no way I would’ve thought melodic mid-to-high range vocals would sound good with such heaviness, with only Blaze Bayley’s and Bruce Dickinson’s last solo albums coming close to matching this powerhouse of an album.

On to the songs, well, there are almost no flaws here, (the only iffy song being an odd cover of a Paul Simon tune. Ranging from plain old aggressive Heavy-as-shit Metal ("Narcosynthesis," "Inside Four Walls," "The River Dragon Has Come," "Engines of Hate" and the title track), through some more melodic, slow numbers - like Y2K versions of the Power Ballad, although heavier, more melodramatic, more emotional and more real. The highlight of these ballads is "The Heart Collector," guaranteed to bring chills to your spine with its emotive, heart-felt lyrics (no "I love you, yeah, yeah, yeah" shit here) and heavy riffs.

What more can I say? Well, if Metallica hadn’t lost the hunger they used to have, they probably would have made this album after the "Black album. But, hell, why worry about Metallica when here is Nevermore, who never let us down.

Nevermore are: Warrel Dane - vocals; Jeff Loomis - guitar; Van Williams - drums; James Shepard - bass.

Check out the band's official website at http://www.nevermore.tv.

"Dreaming Neon Black" (Century Media; 1999)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

What makes Nevermore amazing is that the band takes truly heavy metal and turns it into something some music critics would have you believe metal can never be - art. Nevermore's music has something to say - both with its incredibly intelligent, poetic lyrics and with its unique style of pulse-pounding, skull-throbbing music. Anybody who thinks heavy metal has to be dumb only has to listen here to discover otherwise.

As I mentioned above, the lyrics are deep, thoughtful and even poignant at times. You think U2's lyrics are poetic? I'll take Nevermore any day. And their music is equally as powerful and sophisticated. If the people who vote for Grammys had a lick of sense and actually bothered to listen to some of the lesser-known metal bands, Nevermore would have a shelf full of those awards.

Now, if you're one of those people who, like me (most of the time), just want to rock'n'roll all night and party every day, fear not. One thing is certain: Nevermore will still kick your ass. It may be intelligent and distinctive, but you can still band your head to Nevermore. Just make sure you don't hurt yourself doing so.

Highly recommended!

Nevermore: Warrel Dane - vocals; Jim Sheppard - bass; Jeff Loomis - lead and rhythm guitars; Tim Calvert - lead and rhythm guitars; Van Williams - drums.

Check out the band's official website at http://www.nevermore.tv.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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