Customer Reviews

Return to Evermore

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2004's Return to Evermore is the first Ten album not to feature guitarist Vinny Burns. I'm not sure what role his departure played into things, but Return to Evermore marks a sharp turn away from the epic conceptual style of The Robe and Babylon and towards the AOR-leaning sound of Ten's early albums.

Return to Evermore still has its share of epic rockers (Apparition, Evil's On Top of the World, and album closer Tearing My Heart Out come to mind), but the album's emphasis is more on commercially accessible (a relative term, considering it's been about 20 years since this kind of music was on radio/MTV) AOR love songs. I prefer the heavier stuff, but even I have to admit that Gary Hughes sure knows his way around a power ballad.

If you're more a fan of Ten's heavier concept albums, Return to Evermore is probably going to be something of a letdown. If you've been wishing for a return to the Ten/The Name of the Rose sound, it will put a smile on your face. Either way, there's enough great material here that no true Ten fan will be totally disappointed.

NOTE: There are a couple different versions of Return to Evermore available. The Japanese version includes a bonus track called It's You I Adore, yet another ballad, this time with an almost operatic/theatric style.

Ten is a British band that is better known in Europe and Japan than in the United States. Their style is primarily hard rock, but with some progressive and at times almost symphonic elements. While they do not go in for orchestrations, the combination of two guitars and keyboard backgrounds creates a dense wall of sound. Lead vocalist Gary Hughes, who also writes the music, has a distinctive baritone, reminiscent at times of David Coverdale, but with a more operatic quality. The songs are often fairly long, with complex melodic ideas. In fact, this band's style is quite intellectual. The lyrics range from romantic to melodramatic. The best songs here are the epic length opener, Apparition, and the closing track, Tearing My Heart Out, both of which deal with inner turbulence. This is a solid album by a band with a very original approach to their music.

The last three releases with Ten has been a disappointment for most of their fans. Even though I think "B.A.B.Y.L.O.N" has it's moments my interest in the band has been nothing at all the last years, sadly I must say.

I read about this one in a magazine giving it a poor review but you know what? I don't think he ever heard the record, because this is nothing more or less Ten back in action with that great AOR-vibe the first two albums had. If you're into Tens early period, Dares "Out of the silence" or just great melodic rock you should look this one up! It's great, welcome back Gary Hughes!