NEVERMORE – Dead Heart, In A Dead World

Finally the new NEVERMORE is out! So I have been running at breakneck speed through the CD store to the till, 30 bones on counter, at lightning speed and under disregard of all traffic regulations back to home, and with nervous fingers fed the CD shaft...
Well, it was not that bad, but I was really excited to listen to what they would serve up after the grandiose album Dreaming Neon Black, to the metal-hungry folks.
It starts with Narcosynthesis, an absolute typical NEVERMORE crusher: tricky but powerful rhythm guitars together with sprout snares, plenty of double-bass and a crystal-clear powerful production form the basis for the charismatic and varied voice and a gripping refrain. Yeah... exactly what I expected. Then it is followed by We Disintegrate, which I think it’s more like Sanctuary, a melodic and catchy song. Inside Four Walls mixes both styles masterly. In the sequel you will notice that there are some changes to the previous album. The guitars are more modern, more rhythm-emphasized but without to sounding like Nu Metal. This impression becomes supported by an intense bass sound which lets us miss the typical Mesa-Boogie-Middle-noise. Moreover you will notice that the guys knew the limitations there are with only one guitar, making the sound straighter forward but I think it’s not a disadvantage live on stage. On the other hand there is more space for the voice and Warrel Dane knows to use that as was to be expected.
Although with The Heart Collector they have been up a total breakdown and reach deep into the schmaltzy box. Only the riff at the end could placate... a bit. At the same time NEVERMORE show how a great ballad could sound with Insignificant. With the title track that totally alienated cover version, Sound Of Silence (to tell the truth... I had not recognized that song) and the already mentioned songs Narcosynthesis, Inside Four Walls or Engines Of Hate you find further powerful material on this album, so there is nothing to grumble.
On the other hand I must confess I miss the emotional depths of previous albums in spite of all great lyrics. Also, the one or the other average song is to be criticized although that’s relative because that’s still enough to declass the whole I-want-to-be-true-metal-armada! It’s not enough to repeat old Priest-, Helloween- or Manowar-riffs.
Upshot: I think NEVERMORE are obviously at the crossroads of their carrier. It’s not satisfactory to record and produce highly audible and brilliant albums, but without adequate sales. That seems to be the reason to try to mix their music with a modern (or popular) style. That’s a synthesis where a lot of musicians failed. But, here I think on the whole has succeeded. What remains is the thrilling question: how will NEVERMORE develop further after Dead Heart In A Dead World?