If I were asked to list last year’s most disappointing releases, Evergrey‘s Torn would sadly have to be atop. The fact no one will ever ask me that obviously doesn’t keep me from presenting you my thoughts about these eleven tracks.
But let’s get it immediately straight: this is far better than their previous, let me say, maimed work.
There had been quite some expectation around this album, made grown bigger and bigger by a handful of updates to the band’s own blog, namely: nice and actually appealing excerpts from the album to be, as well as some funny bits of the recording. Now, the harsh truth is that the final product doesn’t live up to the high expectations it had aroused.
One can actually hear some not even needed improvements to the overall sound – thanks to tom edlund’s ever-growing mastery of the mixing – but that’s quite about it. They had promised there would have been sort of a return to the origins, which was supposed to take us back to the indeed glorious times of Recreation Day. That has simply not happened.
Maybe Evergrey are trying to compensate their pretty clear lack of ideas with a push on the aggressive side of their music — an important, recurring element of their sound that is always welcome anyway. What really harms this album though, is right the lack of ideas. to indulge in the same, indeed powerful riffs may be good for a couple of songs, but a truly good comeback (especially after the blunder they made with Monday Morning Apocalypse) requires something more.
The album is listenable all in all; the thundering drums-driven, never-hasty lines may appeal many a listener, including some of their die-hard fans as well. But for those who are still hoping for something in the region of their mid-career heights, no, this is not the messiah you’re waiting for.
Atleast the songs have come out of the single-hinting lenght of their closest predecessors, and several steps out of the Monday Morning Apocalypse pit have been taken. Let’s say we’re back on the right track here, yet far from the end of the road. It doesn’t have to be a road back to the sound that made them stand out from the prog bands crowd; but it’s not a crime to hope so either.
Keeping the album afloat are Fail‘s second part, where some nice lines appear to have been built, the pretty decent title track, and a promising Numb. The only totally convincing piece though is Fear, but even here you can’t help pointing out it would have all worked better IF – if the piano notes were made more audible, as far as to this track.
THUS SPAKE THE CENNSOR: The hurting truth is, there’s this constant, creeping lack of originality (same riffs over and over again) underlining the whole album, that gives you the restless hope to find something worthy before the ending notes. Which, again, won’t happen. However our much talented Swedes are still there, and they certainly don’t need me to point them the way — especially while they’re still selling well and are not disappointing that half of their fans. I just happen to be on the other half. 5,5/10
