Customer Reviews

Monday Morning Apocalypse

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yes, this is the beginning of a new era, for I do believe that this is the first time that Evergrey has had the same line up for 2 albums in a row! The album is good. different, but not atypical for them. most of the songs on this album are more up-tempo, with more drive than privious albums. Though it did not rivet me like some previous albums-ie, Search for Truth, Inner Cercle-I dig what they are doing. I also suppose that I dont really mind that they are gaining more comercial success. Even if they sold out completly theyd still be better than My Chemical Romance! For you old-schoolers, it certainly doesnt harcken back to the days of Dark Discovory, or Solitude Domonance, but i ask you, why would any band after 5 progressivly successful albums, want to retread on old ground? listen to the album, and take it for what it is: unique, quality, Swedish prog metal.

Evergrey has been a fan of mine for years now, and as a fan I went out and got this the day it came out. I put all negative (and positive) things I heard about it aside until I heard it all for myself. I must say it's a different approach for Evergrey, as they have gone for a more upbeat, brighter, less technical sound. This doesn't compare to any previous album, which personally I find great! I don't want to hear something that sounds like The Inner Circle, or anything of that matter, that's why those CD's exist. Monday Morning Apocalypse was made to sound like what it is, and I'm sure the next one won't sound anything like this. As for the songs, not all are "amazing" but there are definately some stand out classics here. The highlights of the CD for me have to be:

At Loss For Words: Starts out with a short piano/clean guitar piece, quickly moving into a classic Evergrey riff, followed by the best chorus on the CD.

Still In The Water: Probably the best song on the CD. The whole atmosphere of this song is great. It's heavy and Englunds vocals are dark and wonderful. However, what really makes it top notch are the backing vocals throughout the song.

Other standouts are the title track and "Curtain Call", which includes the CD's best riff at 2:04.

Rated 4 starts for a couple "duds" on the CD.

If "Monday Morning Apocalypse" the latest offering from Sweden's Evergrey, is a prediction of things to come from this quintet, then "komma med den på och komma med den på snabbt" (bring it on and bring it quickly). For the uninitiated, Everygrey, Sweden's progressive metal ambassadors, have generally steeped themselves in the darker side, lyrically and musically and while the title of this latest release may be contradictory, "Monday Morning Apocalypse", is less dark but no less impactful; it is a perfect molten meld of progressive metal and radio friendly metal. The result could be a walk through the mainstream for the band that has no less integrity. If you need a comparison-imagine the first time you heard Master of Puppets.

The band has tapped into a deeper approach to composition, layered in kicking hooks and the result is a cd that feels like a hit in the making. Formed in 1996, Everygrey has gone through the requisite member changes and resulting impacts on their music, but "Monday Morning Apocalypse" executes the current lineup's ability to all come to the "recording table" with a singular vision. The album was produced and mixed by Sanken Sandquist and Stefan Glauman, former producers of Rammstein, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard among others and perhaps explains the slight departure from the feel that former releases like "The Dark Discovery" gave listeners.

Members Tom S. Englund, Rikard Zander, Henrik Danhage, Fredrik Larsson and Jonas Ekdahl have formed a synchronicity that packs the entire cd with one powerhouse, stadium frenzy inducing tune after another, with the occasional ballad to cleanse the palate. Proof? Debuted at number 6 on the Swedish charts. Further proof? It is difficult to single out any particular weakness in any of the tracks or the cd as a whole. Admittedly, some tracks are more unforgettable than others but overall the cd comes across as a solid and highly seasoned release.

There are a few comparatives...Danhage's guitar work is reminiscent of Zakke Wylde's early Ozzy days and Englund's voice is a "whiskey a go go " remedy for the weak lyrical offerings too often found in Sweden's metal imports. Think of him as Sweden's answer to Meatloaf without the operatic range level...and it's his voice that is at times raspy and others honeyed that is the defining difference that sets Everygrey apart. Most notable tracks are "Unspeakable", "Lost" and "The Dark I Walk You Through" but overall "Monday Morning Apocalypse" is a cd that doesn't require you to ever use your "skip track" button. Currently in the studio again, word has it that the new album is set to be released in May of 2007 and if it builds on the dimensions of this cd, one would hope the days move fast.


--Kim Thore aka Strutter 02.19.07

Thats what you have to do in order to digest a cd. In this fast paced MTV world we are trained to skip through the tracks or "buy the single" without giving an album a try. This is good stuff, great guitar playing and a new sound.

I personally like it when someone tries a different guitar or different amp and change stuff up a little! There are less keyboards on this and killer melody and awesome tight riffage. You will like it.Dont believe the [...] This is a SOLID offering by a group of guys who think like you do.

This isn't an album that you would expect from Evergrey, well at least not totally. This album definitely is a step into a more progressive direction but less epic than their previous works; it seems that the music was meant to have more of an impact w/out possibly getting you lost along the way when you hear it. Not to say that Evergrey was a really complicated band musically, but this album is just a lot simpler in it's sound & delivery which makes easier to listen to; but don't worry, the band's typically sounds are there, just not in abundance. I think fans who give this album a chance would be surprised but yet would still be satisfied by what they hear. Check it out!

Like with any new album by a band I already like, it takes more than a few listens before I can really decide what I think about it. At first, it did sound very different to me than their other albums, but as I kept listening there was no doubt that this was still the Evergrey that I know and love. I just saw them in concert where they played 3 songs off this album and they were great. This album IS a bit different, but it is VERY GOOD.

Evergrey are fast becoming one of my favourite bands. Progressive but not wanky, dark but not cheesy. For Monday..MA they have dispensed with the concept style of late in favour of short, straight forward rockers.

The Inner Circle had its moments but it ultimately bored. The music was becoming too progressive for its own good. For this reason I feel that MMA is a good change - an album that requires less involvement from the listener to gain enjoyment.

The first half is the best, featuring pounding riffs that never slow. Englund's voice is as good as ever, proving once and for all you don't need to growl incoherently to sound tough. A curious standout is Lost, which has an unusually poppy chorus (Evergrey style). The coolest track on this very cool album is At Loss For Words, combining a killer riff with a smooth and powerful chorus.

The second half is still good though, and is more similar to earlier albums, a sort of cross between Recreation Day and The Inner Circle. Despite the album being more formulaic, there is still room for two piano tracks.

It will be very interesting to see the direction the band heads in next - they certainly haven't left those emotive lyrics and progressive elements behind. This album is just the thing for getting them recognised in the mainstream, recognition well overdue for this most innovative and unique band.

This album has had a greatly mixed response. Many say it is a bold change from their previous albums that takes the band to whole new levels. While the album is different, it lacks the showcase of technical skill that earlier albums were made of, and that got Evergrey where they are today. Many people will enjoy this brand of metal a great deal, but it does alienate those fans, like myself, who loved Evergrey because they did a technical, dark, progressive style of metal like none other. Its not a shame that Evergrey has gradually changed their style over the last 2 albums and are trying new thing, but it is unfortunate that many Evergrey fans now have nowhere to turn for the kind of music that Evergrey used to create so masterfully.

I don't understand all the negative press this band is getting for this album. I have to disagree with other reviewers in saying this band took a turn for the better with Recreation Day and has continued to improve. Their first few albums just didn't have the power and catchiness of the last few. Inner Circle was an incredible concept album. This album is definitely a scaled back vibe next to that but all the songs are just so addictingly melodic, dark and catchy I can't see how anyone would dislike it. Maybe some prog nerds who can't deal with poppier song structures but for the average metal fan this is easily one of the best albums of the year. Great lyrics, Tom sounds amazing emotive as ever. Great crnchy guitar work and screaming solos, as well as great somber pianno playing. What more can you ask for in an Evergrey album. My only disappointment here is the album cover just doesn't fit. Travis Smith coulda whipped somethin amazing up for this band but alas they haven't worked with him yet. All in all I'd say go buy this, its def worth your money

I agree that Evergrey are not as good as they were with their first three albums, however I believe this album is just as good as their dark and heavy Progressive Metal release "The Inner Circle." That album did not stray from their earlier sound, and did not have nearly as many good songs as their first few albums. Evergrey have changed to a more classic Heavy Metal sound, influenced by the sound of modern bands, but not too much. I think that Englund's voice sounds different, perhaps not as uniquely dark and emotional, the emotion in his voice being toned down in this album. Yet, this is not necessarily a bad thing. This is not nu-metal. I can tell that some of the reviewers are unhappy. Perhaps they are huge fans of Proressive Metal, and don't like the modern influences. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Overall, this is a fairly solid release, whatever genre you want to label it. One upside is that each song is unique, and there are few places where the sound feels disjointed. For the record, my favorite Evergrey albums are still "In Search of Truth" and "Recreation Day." Englund's vocals on these albums are intoxicatingly unique, and the lyrics are intelligent and honest. Perhaps with their new album, Evergrey will gain new fans, although they will undoubtedly lose a few.