Evergrey – Hymns For the Broken – AFM Records
By John Knowles
Evergrey are back with what can only be described as a welcomed return to form. Beautifully mixed and mastered by renowned Danish producer Jacob Hansen, Hymns for the Broken manages to tip its hat to the band’s best material, while demonstrating growth in all the right directions. Aside from all of its sonic brilliance, all of the classic Evergrey elements are present, while the nuances that have always been there have been brought to life with stunning clarity. This is an album that almost wasn’t. Following the release of 2011’s Glorious Collision, elements in the band left mainman, singer/vocalist Tom Englund feeling less that inspired to continue. Thankfully due to circumstances out of his control Evergrey was able to welcome back into the fold drummer Jonas Ekdahl and guitarist Henrik Danhage, who along with long-time keyboardist Rikard Zander and bassist Johan Niemann have created arguably the strongest Evergrey release to date.
The chemistry you hear on this record between the band members is exhilarating on the first few listens. Even though the majority of this current line-up were present on 2008’s Torn, this new record does not sound like a band who are struggling to find that magic element, nor does it sound like a Tom Englund solo album dragging along willing participants. Evergrey sounds as strong a band as they have ever been, as each member performs on this record firing on all cylinders. Thematically the record deals with the ever popular Evergrey topic of human struggle, but within the lyrical framework listeners will be far more challenged to look deep into the words, and use the musical landscape and effective voiceover samples to reach the true meaning within. Englund reveals, "It's an album about finding out you're not the person you thought you were, which is something that can be scary and terrifying and rewarding.” This is an album to be fully appreciated with a good set of headphones, or sitting in front of a turntable. Be sure to grab the lyric booklet and pay attention – you’ll be in for quite the ride.
If you’ve had the chance to check out the band’s latest music video for “King of Errors” then you are already familiar with the first two tracks of the record. The band reintroduces themselves in a big way, while some subtle changes have occurred, which make for an even more unique listen. From the music video you can see Henrik has moved on to a strat-style Charvel guitar. The solos on the album are so well mixed that you can hear a clear differentiation between Tom and Henrik’s tones. The twang of Henrik’s instrument is ever present and gives such a cool, modern, relevant sound to the album. It sounds like Richie Kotzen soloing with Evergrey at times - kudos to Mr. Danhage for such a triumphant return to the band, and to his amazing gift as a guitarist. Musically, the first single is fairly representative of the record as a whole – clear juxtaposition of heavy and light passages, giant sing-along choruses, and keyboards that you’ll hear throughout (something fans have missed on the last few albums). However, there are plenty more surprises throughout.
“Wake a Change” really brought back that feeling I had when first hearing the band’s 2004 masterpiece, The Inner Circle. There is such an emotional depth to the chorus that I had to just sit back and joyfully say, “They’re back!” “Archaic Rage” follows and features a breakdown riff towards the middle of the song that will really get the crowd headbanging at upcoming shows. It is a massive riff like Evergrey has not pulled off so perfectly in years, and features a very heavy piano presence by Zander. The twangy groove of “Barricades” is quite the surprise. This song is all over the place! Bluesy tones accent the first verse while Tom pours his heart out on the chorus. A heavy, heavy second verse follows with another one of the best riffs Evergrey has ever recorded. What comes next is the greatest Henrik solo you've ever heard and brings that bluesy feel back. Pay close attention to this track as it has a returning theme at the end.
Another one of the most amazing aspects of this record is how well you can hear each musician at all times – okay, so it might be hard to differentiate Tom and Henrik’s rhythm tones - but instruments like the bass and keyboards find such a perfect home within the mix that it makes this record one of the best sounding metal albums of the year.
Lots of dynamic shifts follow “Barricades” on tracks like “Black Undertow,” “The Fire,” and the title track, while some interesting new mixing elements are thrown in. Make no mistake this is not just a throwback album that regains the spark of Recreation Day or The Inner Circle, this is an album that shows signs of clear growth, while maintaining the best elements of those earlier records. The band indeed sounds hungry as Englund has stated, but it’s more than hungry, it’s refreshed, re-energized, and re-focused.
“Missing You” is a classic Evergrey ballad in the vein of “Faith Restored” or “Words Mean Nothing.” The song is basically a beautiful duet between Englund and Zander, and really stands out as one of the albums strongest highlights. The mostly instrumental “The Grand Collapse” and the epic closer, “The Aftermath” close things out in a huge way. The album closes perfectly, and is just as impactful as The Inner Circle but in a different way. Where as the latter left you with a deep sense of sadness and hopelessness, Hymns of the Broken leaves you with a hope for rebirth. If this album is made up of any kinds of hymns it's hymns of lament, but again with a sense of acceptance for what the future holds. There's a sure mood that things as they were are done, completely finished never to return again. But that doesn't mean there isn't opportunity to start something new, and that's the feeling you get with this record. This writer hopes this sentiment is true for the band itself, and judging from this record it is fair to say that fans will get new Evergrey music for years to come.
"Hymns For The Broken" track listing:
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
EVERGREY is:
Tom S. Englund - Guitar, Vocals
Rikard Zander - Keyboards
Johan Niemann - Bass
Henrik Danhage - Guitar
Jonas Ekdahl - Drums
BUY Hymns For the Broken here.
By John Knowles
Evergrey are back with what can only be described as a welcomed return to form. Beautifully mixed and mastered by renowned Danish producer Jacob Hansen, Hymns for the Broken manages to tip its hat to the band’s best material, while demonstrating growth in all the right directions. Aside from all of its sonic brilliance, all of the classic Evergrey elements are present, while the nuances that have always been there have been brought to life with stunning clarity. This is an album that almost wasn’t. Following the release of 2011’s Glorious Collision, elements in the band left mainman, singer/vocalist Tom Englund feeling less that inspired to continue. Thankfully due to circumstances out of his control Evergrey was able to welcome back into the fold drummer Jonas Ekdahl and guitarist Henrik Danhage, who along with long-time keyboardist Rikard Zander and bassist Johan Niemann have created arguably the strongest Evergrey release to date.
The chemistry you hear on this record between the band members is exhilarating on the first few listens. Even though the majority of this current line-up were present on 2008’s Torn, this new record does not sound like a band who are struggling to find that magic element, nor does it sound like a Tom Englund solo album dragging along willing participants. Evergrey sounds as strong a band as they have ever been, as each member performs on this record firing on all cylinders. Thematically the record deals with the ever popular Evergrey topic of human struggle, but within the lyrical framework listeners will be far more challenged to look deep into the words, and use the musical landscape and effective voiceover samples to reach the true meaning within. Englund reveals, "It's an album about finding out you're not the person you thought you were, which is something that can be scary and terrifying and rewarding.” This is an album to be fully appreciated with a good set of headphones, or sitting in front of a turntable. Be sure to grab the lyric booklet and pay attention – you’ll be in for quite the ride.
If you’ve had the chance to check out the band’s latest music video for “King of Errors” then you are already familiar with the first two tracks of the record. The band reintroduces themselves in a big way, while some subtle changes have occurred, which make for an even more unique listen. From the music video you can see Henrik has moved on to a strat-style Charvel guitar. The solos on the album are so well mixed that you can hear a clear differentiation between Tom and Henrik’s tones. The twang of Henrik’s instrument is ever present and gives such a cool, modern, relevant sound to the album. It sounds like Richie Kotzen soloing with Evergrey at times - kudos to Mr. Danhage for such a triumphant return to the band, and to his amazing gift as a guitarist. Musically, the first single is fairly representative of the record as a whole – clear juxtaposition of heavy and light passages, giant sing-along choruses, and keyboards that you’ll hear throughout (something fans have missed on the last few albums). However, there are plenty more surprises throughout.
“Wake a Change” really brought back that feeling I had when first hearing the band’s 2004 masterpiece, The Inner Circle. There is such an emotional depth to the chorus that I had to just sit back and joyfully say, “They’re back!” “Archaic Rage” follows and features a breakdown riff towards the middle of the song that will really get the crowd headbanging at upcoming shows. It is a massive riff like Evergrey has not pulled off so perfectly in years, and features a very heavy piano presence by Zander. The twangy groove of “Barricades” is quite the surprise. This song is all over the place! Bluesy tones accent the first verse while Tom pours his heart out on the chorus. A heavy, heavy second verse follows with another one of the best riffs Evergrey has ever recorded. What comes next is the greatest Henrik solo you've ever heard and brings that bluesy feel back. Pay close attention to this track as it has a returning theme at the end.
Another one of the most amazing aspects of this record is how well you can hear each musician at all times – okay, so it might be hard to differentiate Tom and Henrik’s rhythm tones - but instruments like the bass and keyboards find such a perfect home within the mix that it makes this record one of the best sounding metal albums of the year.
Lots of dynamic shifts follow “Barricades” on tracks like “Black Undertow,” “The Fire,” and the title track, while some interesting new mixing elements are thrown in. Make no mistake this is not just a throwback album that regains the spark of Recreation Day or The Inner Circle, this is an album that shows signs of clear growth, while maintaining the best elements of those earlier records. The band indeed sounds hungry as Englund has stated, but it’s more than hungry, it’s refreshed, re-energized, and re-focused.
“Missing You” is a classic Evergrey ballad in the vein of “Faith Restored” or “Words Mean Nothing.” The song is basically a beautiful duet between Englund and Zander, and really stands out as one of the albums strongest highlights. The mostly instrumental “The Grand Collapse” and the epic closer, “The Aftermath” close things out in a huge way. The album closes perfectly, and is just as impactful as The Inner Circle but in a different way. Where as the latter left you with a deep sense of sadness and hopelessness, Hymns of the Broken leaves you with a hope for rebirth. If this album is made up of any kinds of hymns it's hymns of lament, but again with a sense of acceptance for what the future holds. There's a sure mood that things as they were are done, completely finished never to return again. But that doesn't mean there isn't opportunity to start something new, and that's the feeling you get with this record. This writer hopes this sentiment is true for the band itself, and judging from this record it is fair to say that fans will get new Evergrey music for years to come.
"Hymns For The Broken" track listing:
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
EVERGREY is:
Tom S. Englund - Guitar, Vocals
Rikard Zander - Keyboards
Johan Niemann - Bass
Henrik Danhage - Guitar
Jonas Ekdahl - Drums
BUY Hymns For the Broken here.