Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lives Up to the Hype, July 26, 2005
Let me start out by disproving some of the rumors that I have heard about this album.
1. Nevermore is not much more than nu-metal or alterna-metal.
-This is the dumbest one I've heard, made by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about. No whining, excellent musicianship, and real seven-string guitar as opposed to down-tuned six strings prove that Nevermore is much more than any alterna-crap.
2. Nevermore are stuck in their own niche.
-Maybe this is somewhat true since they have a very unique sound, but they don't repeat themselves and there are no rehashed riffs or solos. This album is the next in line from a long group of albums that progressed each time, never content to make a "DNB 2" or "DHIADW 2."
3. Steve Smyth will never be able to fill Pat O'Brien's shoes.
-This is actually what I thought when I first heard he had joined the band. To a certain extent, I was right. Smyth doesn't try to fill O'Brien's shoes, instead adding his own touch to the bands sound. He co-writes several of the songs contributes a number of fantastic solos as well. Also he is quite talented as well, as evidenced by the solo in "Bittersweet Feast."
I've also heard several complaints about them not being able to top a certain album, whether it be "Politics" or "Dead Heart." Yet, like I said before, they do not try to remake one of those great albums. In fact, in my opinion this is their best album. There is more variety than "Dead Heart" and more consistency than "Politics," yet better melodies than "Dreaming," with all of the songs sounding fresh, without completely changing their sound that made them so good in the first place. Standout numbers include "Born," which features a near-death metal sound, without coming off as noise. "The Holoaust of Thought" is a short instrumental with a guest solo by James Murphy. The title track is an epic song of nearly nine minutes; never a boring moment or wasted second or note. The other songs I haven't mentioned aren't bad at all; there isn't a weak or even mediocre song on the album. Warrel Dane continues his reign as one of, if not the, best vocalist in metal. Smyth lacks the chemistry that O'Brien had with the band, but his contributions are positive, both in his songwriting and his musicianship. Jim Sheppard and Van Williams are as vital to the band as the previous three. Their rhythm section improves the songs and we pretty much know what to expect from them; and they deliver.
Nevermore is gaining in popularity, but too many people still don't know about them; hopefully this will change after their stint in Gigantour. If you are just learning about Nevermore, there really isn't a bad place to start, but this is as good a place as any. Nevermore is carrying the metal banner into the 21st century; fans of progressive, power, thrash, or speed metal would be wise to check these guys out.
P.S. If the clips on Amazon don't convince you, check out the band's website to download the full version of "Final Product."
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply awesome, January 15, 2006
You've got to hand it to Nevermore, they keep managing to pump out consistent, hard albums with intricate structures and an overall epic feel. "This Godless Endeavor" is no different, even with the inclusion of former Testament guitarist Steve Smyth who manages to put his own signature on many of the tracks featured here. Opening track "Born" is brilliant, as is the lead single "Final Product", as well as "Medicated Nation", "The Holocaust of Thought", and the brilliant "Psalm of Lydia" which finds singer Warrel Dane soaring high with his unique vocals. The closing title track ends the album on a more solemn note, but the album's powerful tone never gets lost throughout it's whole running time. Don't pay any attention to the negative reviews (especially to the below "Cincinatti Bengals #1 Fan", who blasts Nevermore in favor of the "real men" in Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Atreyu, heh heh), "This Godless Endeavor" is a strikingly powerful and mature metal album that is one of the best releases of 2005, and it's a great starting point for new fans to the band.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In my top 5 of 2005, September 20, 2005
Good lord, I love this album. This album has it all: soaring vocals, brilliant guitar solos, crunchy guitar riffs, chunky bass-lines, great double bass drums, thoughtful lyrics, seriously what more do you need? Warrell Dane's voice is still as good as ever, which basically means he's just as good as always. Jeff Loomis' solos are AMAZING as ever, along with good solos (not as good as Jeff's, IMHO) and rhythm work from new comer Steve Smyth. Jim Sheppard's bass-lines are still good. Van Williams' drumming has never sounded better. This is, simply put, just one of the best albums released this year. Here's what I think of the songs...
1. Born - Dear lord, i'm listening to this song as I write this review! This is possibly the best song on the album. If not, it's my personal favorite. The lyrics and drums are great and that solo ALONE is worth buying this album for! 5/5
2. Final Product - The album's single. Very good song. Just like Born, the lyrics here are amazing. 5/5
3. My Acid Words 5/5 Great song, nice heavy intro.
4. Bittersweet Feast 5/5
5. Sentient 6 5/5 Remind of DHIADW.
6. Medicated Nation 5/5
7. The Holocaust of Thought 5/5 James Murphy plays on this interlude. Need I say more?
8. Sell My Heart for Stones 5/5
9. The Psalm of Lydia 5/5
10. A Future Uncertain 5/5
11. This Godless Endeavor 6/5 Here it is. THE crown jewel of the album. At almost 9 minutes long, this is the longest song on the album. It starts out calmly with an acoustic intro, but it gets heavy! Although Born is my personal favorite song on the album, this is possibly the all-around best here.
So, if you like metal (nu-metal and metalcore don't count), this album is VERY recommended. If you like Nevermore, well... then just get it!
"If nothing in the world can change our children will enherit nothing"
-Nevermore, Born
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