Album of anthems from German rockers
For a bad that is little more than a part-time affair for its musicians, Everon seemed to release albums like clockwork for a while, even if now the gaps are considerable. ‘North’ is their first album since 2002’s releases ‘Bridge’ and ‘Flesh’, and it seems like this approach of working when inspired is paying off. It’s a mystery why more bands don’t do that.
We all like a soaring anthem, so it’s always a good sign when we get one as the opening track on an album. ‘Hands’ is just that • soaring, anthemic, and just the right side of an AOR/metal crossover. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to make of Everon’s strange blend of Rush-style classic prog rock, metal, and folk-like themes. I’m not even sure I know now, but I like it. It’s not all hard an’ heavy for this album, ‘From Where I Stand’ owes far more to the recent surge in American melodic rock, plus a little orchestral addition, in case it all seems far too simplistic.
This is an album from a band that have thought very carefully about the details. They’re been around (on and off) since 1993, so it’s unsurprising that their music has evolved into something more polished. The orchestral interludes on, for example, ‘Test of Time’ adds a little more sparkle and more of a solid sound than keyboards and guitars alone would manage. Lyrically, it manages to move from the ethereal to the very Earth-bound everyday grind, all mixed with a decent sense of humour that never slips into that horrible ‘ironic’, self-conscious mocking. Which is harder to do than you’d think.
I seriously cannot pick a bad track on this album, it’s almost a concept album in that it sounds complete and like one whole creation. One of my favourite tracks is the instrumental ‘Woodworks’, tucked away somewhere mid-album. This should appeal across the board for rock fans, from classic AOR or prog fans of bands like Journey, to modern takes on the genre such as Nickleback. Lets face it, you can’t go wrong with an album full of excellent guitar anthems.
I’d say I wished they’d release more albums, but if this is the quality you get with a six year break, I can live with that.