After more than 30 years of existence, Gothenburg’s prog metal masters EVERGREY are far away from slowing things down. The five-piece, led by founder, singer and guitarist Tom S. Englund, will release its fourteenth studio album, ”Theories Of Emptiness”, on June 7, 2024.
Without any doubt, the new album marks one of the most dynamic records the band has ever crafted throughout their impressive career. Produced Englund and Jonas Ekdahl, it was mixed by Adam “Nolly” Getgood, who worked closely with the band from the start – bringing out the vividness of the album’s overall sonic profile. Rounding out the album’s production, mastering was helmed by Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra, Onslaught, The Gems, Eleine and many more).
”Theories Of Emptiness” is an album which combines progressive metal elements with unpredictable sounds and surprises that would make any avid music listener absolutely delighted. This is an album that showcases top notch musicality and one of the most dynamic songwriting of any metal record up until this point in the year.
‘Theories of Emptiness” isn’t as heavy as its predecessor. But, that’s ok. It still has the band’s classic heaviness in “Falling from the Sun,” “We Are the North,” and “One Heart.” The first sets the mood nicely with a standard stop-start chugging riff, warm chorus, and acceptable song length. But things really get heavy with “We Are the North.” Incorporating some haunting key work and shouts to add to the mood, the crushing guitars press this thing to its limits until it sheds its weight and soars into a gorgeous, hopeless chorus that only Evergrey can pull off.
The follow-up track, “One Heart,” is heavy in a different way – opening with a hopping groove and tasteful guitar leads. Then, it sets into a killer groove, emphasized by the perfectly arranged vocal performance. While the verses flow and ebb beautifully, their purpose is to build to the biggest and most addictive chorus on the record. “One Heart” is the album’s most adventurous song and it pays off.
Other highlights include “Say” and “Cold Dreams.” The first has a surprisingly radio-friendly attitude. But, it’s not like everything the band produces has to put you into crippling therapy sessions. The accessible approach to the songwriting lends well to the catchy, hooking chorus and, after the midpoint, the song transitions to some progressive, oddly-timed riffage that reels it back into Evergrey territories.
“Cold Dreams” is a unique piece for an Evergrey record because it has a guest vocalist that doesn’t involve Tom Englund’s wife. Together, Englund and Katatonia’s Jonas Renkse lend their voices to this song, delivering dueting verses and choruses that alternate in calmness and aggressiveness along the track’s near seven-minute runtime. Toss in some emotional builds and female vocals supplied by Englund’s daughter and you’ll find one of the more epic pieces on the album.
”Theories Of Emptiness” is one of the best sounding rock / metal albums you’ll hear this year. It sounds incredible. Not only do the guitars sound chuggy, the vocals are powerful, the bass can be heard throughout the album clearly, whilst the drums sound extrememely powerful and punchy in the mix.
Evergrey have pulled off an album that is powerful and consistent. An excellent final outing for drummer Jonas Ekdahl as he moves on to other things. For the band, though, it is further proof that they are at the top of their game still, and that they can change and morph and offer new ideas even this far into their magnificent career.
A hauntingly beautiful album, one full of emotional lyrics, intense performances, and memorable choruses.
Highly Recommended
1. Falling From the Sun
2. Misfortune
3. To Become Someone Else
4. Say
5. Ghost of My Hero
6. We Are the North
7. One Heart
8. The Night Within
9. Cold Dreams
10. Our Way Through Silence
11. A Theory of Emptiness
Tom S. Englund – Vocals, guitars
Henrik Danhage – Guitars
Rikard Zander – Keys
Jonas Ekdahl – Drums
Johan Niemann – Bass
Evergrey – Theories of Emptiness 2024
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