Superb Modern Metal
Underrated Seattle thrashers Nevermore tend to write two types of albums. They are either a collection of solid metal tunes or epic discs with meaningful lyrics and woven themes. Their latest release, 'This Godless Endeavour', is towards the latter having more in common with 'Dreaming Neon Black' than their previous two albums 'Dead Heart in a Dead World', and 'Enemies of Reality'. The decision to make an opus of an album was a good one as quite frankly they have written a cracker.
Nevermore, unlike many other bands, have several strings to their bow. The first and most obvious is the vocals of Warrel Dane. Both emotional and haunting his unique voice can be very powerful whilst being extremely versatile. This can't be more evident in the album's opener 'Born'. It has pace, demonic style vocals, time changes and various bridges indicating that this is going to be an album to sit down and listen too rather than have on as background noise. The song is instantly likable but with its many parts it'll take a few listens before you start singing along to it. 'Final Product' blasts along with some bottom end chugging and it isn't until 'Bittersweet Feast' that the album slows down into a churning groove.
The lower scale piano starts 'Sentient 6' and is a highlight of the album showcasing the bands ability to write slow brooding numbers and not relying on writing one dimensional thrash like many other bands around today. It's a good change of pace which doesn't detract from the brutality or the credibility of the disc. 'Medicated Nation' follows and could have come straight from their 'Politics or Ecstasy' album. Not only has it a killer chorus, the pacy middle break is a head nodder of the first order. 'The Holocaust of Thought' provides a minute of reflection before the beautifully crafted doom style ballad 'Sell My Heart for Stones' swims out of your speakers.
'A Future Uncertain' is a mini epic starting with acoustic guitars and a Warrel Dane melody supported with a low-end harmony adding to its richness. The song soon speeds up with drummer Van Williams and bass player Jim Shepherd adding a brutal double pedal rhythm. The awesome talents of guitarist Jeff Loomis are on display all over this disc. Although being turned down to join Megadeth at the tender age of 16 Jeff has become one of the most exciting players in metal today. The nine-minute epic title track in particular contains a short passage where Jeff shreds up and down the scale whilst the rest of the band stomps behind it. When Warrel comes in with a haunting vocal line you realise you're listening to something special.
This disc really is superb in every area, song writing, musicianship and production. Nevermore are one of those unique bands who are consistent in their song writing and have yet (in my opinion of course) to write a bad album. 'This Godless Endeavour' isn't as easily accessible as some of their previous works but the rewards are huge if you can give it several spins. I would give it top marks but 'Dreaming Neon Black' for me is the shining beacon in their discography. Perhaps in about a week's time it will have top marks and maybe the mantle of album of the year, who knows.