This is the first album I picked up by this amazing group, and I immediately fell in love with it. Warrel Dane is an accomplished vocalist, Jeff Loomis is a living guitar god, Van Williams is a maniacal drum genius, and Jim Sheppard can provide some of the best bass lines heard in metal today.
A song by song review is certainly in order:
Narcosynthesis - At first, you're hit with some really modern sounding guitar, and I used to really not like this song. After listening to "Enemies of Reality", I learned to really appreciate this song. The lyrics are extremely catchy, the breakdowns are really chunky and well-executed, and the guitar noodling by Jeff Loomis is superb. Dane slowly unleashes his vocal attack, the bass is basically inaudible, and the drums are quite standard. 7/10
We Disintegrate - This song has a really wicked intro, a lot of Loomis' wonderful guitar work prevails, and then the vocals come in. Dane starts out soft and then rips into this high-pitched shriek, then to this really powerful tone. The song is full of duality, the chorus is perfect. The only thing that could make this song better is if the higher-pitched guitar licks really stood out. 9/10
Inside Four Walls - This hits you like a bull-dozer. It begins with some chugga-chugga riffs and just smashes into this amazingly complex breakdown. Dane seems to be toning down his vocals, but they're still top-notch and work well with this song. 9/10
Evolution 169 - A rather calm song...it's full of very bright and almost sorrowful guitar tones, Dane's voice is soothing and really silky, deep and just really epic sounding. This song is deep with emotion and power. Dane's range is really starting to show and the album is about to really take off. Get ready, this is just the eye of the storm. The breakdown is just amazing, and the soloing is mind-blowing. 8/10
The River Dragon Has Come - This is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. You hear that? It's the sound of Jeff Loomis owning you! HA! This song starts out with this gorgeous little acoustic-esque intro, and then slams into this monstrous riff. Modern guitaring, but applied properly. This is an epic. Dane's voice has never sounded better, the drumming is just perfect, the bass is not that audible, but that's ok, it doesn't hurt the song at all. Seeing this live totally took my breath away. I never headbanged so hard in my life. You cannot refute this song. Any metalhead will love this song. A PERFECT 10/10.
The Heart Collector - Following the best song on the album may be a tough spot, but, this song definately holds its own. Finally, Jim Sheppard's brilliant bass work can be heard. The song is beautiful and mellow and escalates without trouble into this heavy, monolith. The solo towers over you and washes you away with it's warmth and gorgeous tones. 10/10
Engines of Hate - An explosive intro fueled by William's powerful drum work. Then Loomis gives us this sick little guitar lick and then a bad-ass riff, then vocals...and oh the vocals! Dane is delivering, the album gets stronger and stronger. The lyrics are just great, "Can I be your personal demon? Sit back absorb the words and feast on my mind's semen." I remember my ex-girlfriend reading that and being totally appalled. HA. Dane is just brilliant, from Sanctuary, even on Nevermore's most recent effort "Enemies of Reality", his vocal work and lyrical prowess have been astonishing. 10/10
The Sound of Silence - You wouldn't guess that this was a Simon and Garfunkel tune, now would you? The guitar attacks in after a short intro, this is the most brutal song on the album...from SIMON AND GARFUNKEL! That makes me laugh, but Nevermore takes a once acoustic song about the state of the world and turns it into this killer cover. Dane's vocals are sinister and pained, you can hear the evil leaking from his genius lips and tongue. Loomis creates this soundscape that just punishes the ears, it's truly a brutal song. The breakdowns are just perfect, Dane really brings something to the table with his vocals...you can't ask for a better cover. The solo is simple but is just perfect for the song. 10/10
Insignificant - An acoustic verse, a very haunting ballad of a song. Dane's voice is somber and really creates a feeling of despair. Once the electric guitars come in, the song becomes this rising wave of depression with a sort of thunderous attack. You really take notice to the lyrics of this song and you just become enveloped in it. This is a fine example of a metal ballad. 10/10
Believe in Nothing - The first track I heard off this album, which I fell in love with. This is a strong ballad. More of a ballad than "Insignificant", but with more power. It's just so strong, it's a stand-out within the last few songs, and probably the second best track on the album. It's not a riff-heavy powerhouse, nor is it that complex, it's just simply perfect "power ballad". ANOTHER PERFECT 10/10
Dead Heart, In a Dead World - Ok...the closer and the title track all in one. You can tell by the intro that this was meant to be a closer. This really drags down the amazing qualities of this song. The first minute and thirty seconds (1:32), are a chock-fest of rather mediocre guitar plucking. Dane has some excellent lyrics and provides a rather slow vocal performance. Once the guitars really hit in, this song bitch slaps you. I mean, if this song didn't have that lame-ass intro, it'd be perfect. Everything is just amazing. The guitar work, again modern and really chunky, still works very well. 9/10
This album is a must, no doubt about it. It may not be up to their older albums standards, but still has a great deal of staying power and is constantly in my stereo. Nevermore is a band of talented musicians that shouldn't be overlooked.
Suggested Tracks:
The River Dragon Has Come
The Heart Collector
Believe in Nothing
(the latter portion of) Dead Heart, In a Dead World
The Sound of Silence