Artist: Nevermore
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 7/29/03
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Title: Enemies of Reality Artist: Nevermore Label: Century Media Release Date: 7/29/03 |
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Abyss's Review:
Seattle's metallic madmen return with an enlightened record that sees them catering to their loyal fanbase while continuing to push the boundaries of who they are and where they can go. I'm very impressed with this record from an artistic standpoint as the band continues to revise their sound without necessarily changing it, and they are fearless when it comes to taking chances.
"Enemies of Reality sees Warrel Dane making his most accessible vocal performance to date, and I really think the sound as a whole is better for it." It took me a long time to get into this band. I just had a hard time listening to the vocals - they just seemed too over-the-top. Enemies of Reality sees Warrel Dane making his most accessible vocal performance to date, and I really think the sound as a whole is better for it. His voice remains beautiful, powerful and solid, but he refrains from testing the limits of that range. Where in the past he would go off into impressive (but annoying) extremes, on this record he simply sings with an understated emotion that I find altogether more expressive.
The music remains aggressive as ever, however. The album's lead and title track is definitely the Nevermore we all expect, with its anthemic choruses and punishing riffs, but this album doesn't stop there. It attempts a more urban sound on "Ambivalent", utilizing start/stop riffing and interesting meter, showcasing a different side to the band. Hell, that song could almost come across as nu-metal if handled in a different way. The band also spends a good deal of time on the softer side of their spectrum with the introspective "Tomorrow Turned Into Yesterday" which is quite enjoyable, even if a little contrived. They also have downright ballads in "Who Decides" and "Noumenon".
"While I still don't think anything this band has done has surpassed Dreaming Neon Black, the metal scene remains a better place for having Nevermore in it." While I find these softer songs quite good, I do think they take up a little too much of the playing time. That is not nearly enough to ruin the album for me, however. And while I still don't think anything this band has done has surpassed Dreaming Neon Black, the metal scene remains a better place for having Nevermore in it. One word review: Killer.
Death's Review:
"Nothing is spared, and the end result is another classic entry into the formidable Nevermore catalogue." The pigs are back; only this time, they're worms. The mighty Nevermore return with Enemies of Reality, their latest masterwork and reportedly the final record under the band's current contract with long-time label, Century Media. I'm happy to report that the album delivers everything you've been expecting from Nevermore. Nothing is spared, and the end result is another classic entry into the formidable Nevermore catalogue. Sick riffs, killer drumming, dramatic and charismatic vocals and guitar solos galore in service of catchy songs that are both accessible and unrelentingly aggressive. Enemies, one of Nevermore's heavier albums overall, is the product of a veteran band firing on all cylinders at the peak of its creative curve. No band has ever so successfully combined melodic, sometimes high-pitched vocals with such brutality, technicality and undeniable metalness. At this point in their careers, I think it is safe to say that Nevermore have truly fulfilled the promise of their predecessor, Sanctuary, a huge compliment in my book.
You see, Nevermore may appeal primarily to a niche audience, but if you like this niche, it is clear that they are the best at it. Thus, if you are looking for something like, say, the perfect evolution of technical late eighties Bay Area Thrash, as inherited by politically-aware, post-Queensryche Seatle-depressive, anarchistic/psychedelic, subtly-gothic leaning, aggressive underground metal bands making music for introspective melodic death metal fans who also like Pink Floyd, well then, you've definitely come to the right place. Garnering the attention of the niche audiences has never been an issue for Nevermore. It's the other 99% of the population who didn't get it. Now it seems that actually might begin to change; lately the commercial tide has seemed to turn somewhat favorable for Nevermore. With new opportunities opening up for underground metal bands these days in the form of big tours and high-profile music video airplay, and hot on the heels of a blistering performance at the 2003 New England Metal and Hardcore festival, where hardcore kids, death metal warriors and teenage girls alike all went crazy for the band's set, it seems that the time finally may be right for Nevermore, and Enemies of Reality is a great record to go with the mounting buzz.
"Here's hoping you people go out an buy this one en masse July 29. Truly one of the best albums of the year so far." Musically, Nevermore are just absolutely tearing things up on this new record with incredible riffs, signature Van Williams drumming, and guitar solos galore. The songs all stick in your head, and rumored first video and album opener "Enemies of Reality" is an excellent representation. It's been stuck in my head for weeks. And don't fear, classic Nevermore fans, the new album also features the requisite power ballad, and this one, "Tomorrow Turned Into Yesterday" may be one of the best yet. I also like "Who Decides?" a lot, and really, every other song on the album. I am a bit disappointed in the Kelly Gray-led (ex-Queensryche) production; the guitar tone is not quite as present as you'd like, and honestly, it bums me out. Material this amazing should be presented as clearly as possible. But great material will always supersede subtle nitpicking about production values that most fans will probably not ever consciously pick up on - albums like . . . And Justice For All or As the Palaces Burn clearly demonstrate that production really doesn't matter all that much when the material kicks this much ass. And the prodction isn't awful or anything, it just isn't the best sonding Nevermore album ever, like I had been expecting.
Anyway, if you've ever liked Nevermore at all, you're still gonna love Enemies of Reality. Something tells me that a lot of new fans are about to get on board with Nevermore in the months as well. Could non-death/screamed vocals be making a comeback in 2004? Imagine an Ozzfest 2004 second stage headlined by a reformed Judas Priest with Nevermore and a Ripper Owens-fronted Iced Earth also on the bill with Dimmu Borgir, Lamb of God and five or six major label filler bands on the bill? Stranger things have happened. For now, I'm just psyched that Nevermore is finally at the right place at the right time, on the cusp of a new contract with a killer new album, a cool tour with Dimmu and Children of Bodom lined up for the fall, and a fanbase ready to explode. Enemies of Reality delivers. Here's hoping you people go out an buy this one en masse July 29. Truly one of the best albums of the year so far.
Hel's Review:
It's not a secret that I love Nevermore. So it shouldn't be surprising that I was eagerly anticipating this release to show up in my mailbox. I expected another dose of anti-establishment laced metal madness, and Enemies of Reality delivered. And how.
"I expected another dose of anti-establishment laced metal madness, and Enemies of Reality delivered. And how." At first, I was baffled by the lack of pigs. In the past, the lyrics have almost always mentioned "the pigs" - however, times have changed, and the slightly more specific "enemies of reality" have replaced the former reference. Still, regardless of the term chosen for authority, Nevermore continues to rail against it.
"This album is a mandatory acquisition for every Nevermore fan's collection." As a general rule, I have always enjoyed Warrel Dane's imagery and turn of phrase, and this effort may be one of his best to date. Anger filled rants dripping with twenty-dollar words, an updated version of a traditional metal formula that this frontman has perfected and elevated to its own art form, abound and are complemented, as expected, by phenomenal metallic musicianship.
The rest of the band has always been the ultimate metal machine, expelling heavy guitar riffs and pummeling drum fills with seemingly careless ease. Their sonic attack is relentless and drives Dane's venomous lyrics to an appropriately relentless end. Enemies of Reality is a mandatory acquisition for every Nevermore fan's collection.
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