Customer Reviews

This Godless Endeavor

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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."

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.

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

Nevermore is one of the most important Metal bands of our time.

I'm not kidding you.

Ever since their debut in '95, they have been releasing Thrash Metal of the highest quality; each and every album a masterpeice in its own right. Now their new album comes flying like a bat out of hell. With the recent addition of Steve Smyth (Testament, Dragonlord), these monsters show no sign of slowing down for anyone. I'd go so far as to say 15-20 years from now, Nevermore will be counted as one of the biggest Metal influences there are.

Where do I start on this album? Well, I can start off by saying that the duo of Steve Smyth and Jeff Loomis (both astounding guitar virtuosos) work together and play off one another like peanut butter and jelly. Their lightning-fast technical solos, gritty blasting riffs, and smooth trade-offs are second to none. Warrel Dane's operatic style of singing is still as good as it ever was, and he portrays emotion beautifully. He can show so many shades that it's not even funny. He can seamlessly range from depression (as on "Sell My Heart For Stones"), psychotic venom-spitting (as on "The Psalm Of Lydia"), and pain (as on "Sentient 6") and not lose any credibility. The light-speed and flair of the drumming of Van Williams and the pulsing bass-work of Jim Sheppard are sublime and they play of each other as well as Jeff and Steve.

As if their songwriting wasn't top notch already, after the addition of Steve, it really has nowhere to go but through the roof. The song structres have evolved to an even more progressive level than their previous works. Just listen to "Sentient 6" or the title track to see what I mean. The songs are catchy, if not even moreso than before. The chorus of "Medicated Nation" will have a hard time finding its way out of your head. The last lines of "Final Product" and the lead that follows alone are worth mentioning.

However, despite its catchiness, this isn't an album that you'll listen to a few times and then toss away. This album has so many intracacies that you'll never be able to put it down for a long time. There's a certain endearing quality to this album that will keep you listening time and time again.

This album is only slightly beat out by "Dead Heart In A Dead World" for their best album. This might be because this album sometimes travels onto familiar grounds. In fact, "Sell My Heart For Stones" could almost be called "The Heart Collector pt 2", but nevertheless, "Sell My Heart For Stones" is a highlight, and I don't mind listening to some familar riffs over again... After all, this is Nevermore we're talking about.

Nevermore comes out victorious with the best album this year. I doubt anyone else due to release an album this year can beat this out. I cannot reccomend this highly enough.

It's hard to believe that my first Nevermore listening experience occurred only a month ago, even though I was propelled back into the metal scene over two years ago. Sure, I had seen the name pop up on countless lists and websites, but for some moronically ignorant reason, I had it in my mind that they were some cheesy power metal band.

Well power metal, and nu-metal as some reviewers here have said, this band is not. Nevermore offers up a tasty platter of technical death/thrash metal served through progressive songwriting. The songs, varying in length from 4 minute standards to 6-8 minute treks, consist of impressive arrangements of thematic intros, multiple bridges/breaks, and some of the sweetest solos in the genre, courtesy of one of my new heroes, Jeff Loomis, and newcomer, Steve Smyth.

Warrel Dane, as evidenced by the reviews here, seems to dwell in love him or hate him territory, and I find myself in the camp of the prior. While he by no means possesses a classically beautiful and controlled voice, the range of emotion he displays, not just from song to song, but within each song, is worth your immediate attention. The venom he spits during one of my favorite tracks, "Bittersweet Feast" is enough to bring my hatred towards those he speaks of in this song, those intent on stealing our freewill, to an absolute boiling point. I cannot think of more apt madness to accompany the furious instrumentation of this band, than the voice of this man.

The lyrics, too, are something to applaud. With distinct themes all related to social and political ills, Nevermore transcends a majority of the metal scene by fusing neck-breaking force with intelligence and responsibility. Do they sing words of hope and salvation? I think you can answer that question by simply reading the titles of the tracks. What they do manage, however, is to call attention to the astonishingly rapid evaporation of freedom, and our escalating dependence on external forces to solve our internal problems (i.e. the haunting "Medicated Nation", which poetically paints a horrific picture of medicated zombies using drugs to placate their self-created delusions and neuroses).

Not convinced yet? Because I have yet to do justice to the mindblowing instrumentation on this album. Van Williams absolutely obliterates his kit with thoughtful arrangements on scorchers like "Born" and "Medicated Nation", and completely decimates it on slow grinders like "Sentinent 6" and the Queensryche reminiscent "Sell My Heart for Stones". Being a fan of the bass, I love that Nevermore does not treat this useful tool as simply necessary background filler. Sheppard's axe is quite audible, and even at the forefront during some breaks.

It is the aforementioned guitar duo, though, that most capture's this axe player's heart. Guitar fans/players will rejoice at the absolute spectrum of metal playing here. Atmospheric tones and squeals are layered atop clean toned, slow-paced arpeggios to create feelings of despondency and melancholy, while the double attack surfaces often to throw your head right against the concrete wall. My favorite moments are when a perfect combination of "Rust in Piece" melodic sharpness, Death progression, and outright brutality are combined with drilling double bass blasts to create a psychotic, yet technically controlled sound, which Nevermore can boast is all thier own.

Any fan of metal needs to obtain this release, now! It stands as an ultimate album of modern metal, combining all the best aspects of metal throughout its history. Exceptionally catchy hooks, unparalleled musicianship, blistering solos, lyrics of true (and not commercially exploited) rebellion, and an overwhelming mood of darkness and agression. I cannot wait to anticipate the next release just as long time fans must have anticpated this release. I have no doubt I will be as pleased on that day, as longtime fans were on the day this beast was unleashed upon the earth.

NEVERMORE is one of the hottest bands on the metal scene but I can't help this feeling that the sheer heaviness of their sound keeps them from enjoying a more widespread acceptance. The thing with this band is that they seem to have a natural ability to top themselves with every release and that's definitely a trademark of a great band. "This Godless Endeavor" is no exception and from the outset I have little trouble saying that this may just be the finest moment in this band's history.

For the record, what I have in my hands is the limited digipak edition and the packaging is awesome. With this, Hugh Syme is responsible for one of the best artworks in metal history (bold claim, I know, but I stand by it) depicting a bleak present come future, a dystopia of our own society. It perfectly fits the message and the whole idea behind this album and that's why I find it so good.

I'd be surprised if "This Godless Endeavor", NEVERMORE's sixth studio album, disappointed any fans of the band and I'm sure it can reach out to many new ones. Fans of heavy but melodic music will be at home and there's a good amount of shredding going on thanks to guitar demigod Jeff Loomis (who sounds great, thanks to the crystaline production by Andy Sneap) and the new guy on the block, Steve Smyth. Smyth is actually quite a good addition to the band, so far, as it enables some variety in the solos, while still fitting perfectly within the band's blueprint. Jim Sheppard also does a good job but his bass is sometimes a bit lost in the mix.

For me however, as much as I enjoy Loomis and Smyth in this album, it's Van Williams' drums that really stand out and help turn this album into a true masterpiece of metal. Odd time signatures, furious double bass kick attack and a very heavy yet crystal clear sound, make this one of the most enjoyable albums in terms of drum work for me. Finally, vocalist Warell Dane is really at the top of his form, after his decision to come clean and lead a more healthy lifestyle. His vocals are awesome throughout the record and as much as I liked his voice on previous albums, he never sounded better.

The album starts off with "Born", featuring a very Slayer-like fast and furious bass drum attack which comes as a surprise. But if you think the band has gone down the black metal avenue for good, think again. NEVERMORE is melodic as ever and the way this song turns into a beautiful melody at 01:34 is a good example of this (notice how original and fresh the guitar work is in this section). These two moods come and go and it all adds up to a great opener to the album. I was hooked from the start.

"Final Product" comes up next and it doesn't let go. Dane fills this song with anger, hints of sadness and contempt for the demise of the world. Yes, bleak. But this is what "This Godless Endeavor" is all about. "My Acid Words" starts very mellow yet very heavy aswell and launches into the standard NEVERMORE blueprint from previous works, much in the vein of "Dead Heart in a Dead World". "Bittersweet Feast" is perhaps one of the least remarkable songs but still it features an infecting chorus displaying Dane's great vocal attributes and how much of a top notch singer he is these days. Loomis and Smyth also trade licks for yet another guitar solo spot, something which is featured in pretty much every song of this album.

"Sentient 6" is definitely one of the very highlights of "This Godless Endeavor". It starts ominously with a deep piano sound and tells the story of a robot who becomes aware of the human race and jealous of the human condition ("It's unattainable, please teach me how to dream"/"I long to be more than a machine"). Unable to endure such thoughts, this robot seeks revenge and proceeds to wipe the human race out of existence ("I will spread switft justice on their land" and "I am the bringer of the end of time for man"). The real beauty of this song is two fold: the way it evolves and goes from calmness to madness and Loomis' solo depicting the robot's realization. A great piece. "Medicated Nation" gets back on the heavy track and "The Holocaust of Thought" is a nice interlude written by Sheppard which serves as an introduction for what's yet to come.

And what's to come is, if I may say so, even better. "Sell My Heart For Stones" is another highlight, kind of a quiet song with a slow but heavy chorus and Dane delivering the goods again. He can be really persuasive and it shows here. "The Psalm of Lydia" has the best intro on the whole album, one of those guitar riffs that strike as instant classics and turns into a badass solo by Loomis. In terms of guitar work this may well be the best song on the entire album. "A Future Uncertain" starts acoustic but soon launches into yet another very good heavy song.

Which gets us to the title track, the last song on the album. This sees, perhaps surprisingly, the band taking a more progressive direction with a less conventional song which goes through different stages and moods. This is where all the virtues (for lack of defects) of the previous songs find a rendez-vous. Lyrically this is also the strongest song on the album. Suffice to say that this song encapsulates everything which makes this band so great. Brilliant.

In the end, "This Godless Endeavor" is hands down one of the best (if not *the* best) metal album out this year. It's unusual to listen to such a strong album from start to finish but NEVERMORE pulls it off with apparent ease. Usually when a record is surrounded by a lot of hype, the sensible thing to do is to grow suspicious of it. In this case, my advice is to believe the hype and buy this record immediately. I can't recommend it enough.

That's what this CD does to me. I've been listening to the promo CD for over six weeks. This sounds like a more traditional style rock/metal CD than any of the other Nevermore recordings and the songwriting is on a masterful, mature level. There aren't the standout massive guitar riffs like the other CDs (i.e. the other instruments aren't there solely to support the guitar) and Warrel Dane doesn't have any intense social or religious messages but this recording is just as heavy as any other Nevermore CD. There's very few of the farout dissonant chords usually prevalent on Nevermore records. It sounds like a new Nevermore but it's raw and spontaneous in true Nevermore style. The mix is excellent.

At first listen I thought "This sounds different. How?" and 20 minutes into the CD I thought "This is incredible! Wow! I wasn't prepared for this!!!" and I've never turned back. From the first second of the recording to the last the energy is a full-tilt, all-out assault. How do they keep doing it? The emphasis on this CD is totally on the complex beats and structures. Nothing on this CD is predictable. Each song is full of interesting diversions and tempos. There are some great acoustical intros/segments throughout the recording. Warrell is very restrained and subdued and he doesn't do any wailing on this CD. He doesn't sound like he's losing his head. In fact you forget that Warrell is doing the vocals. But he is calculated and precise and delivers great harmonies and voiceovers. Van Williams has a keen sense and intuition for laying down an awesome beat while never repeating himself. Steve Smyth wrote three of the songs.

The CD starts off hitting the ground running with the fast, powerful "Born" which starts out with a death metal grind and transitions into a smooth, euphoric chorus. In "Psalm of Lydia" there is a cool, scattered, maniacal guitar riff which is all over the fretboard followed by muted plucking which is like the punch of a machine gun. There is a short, eery instrumental piece which could easily be featured in a horror movie. It contains (guitar?) harmonics which sound like piano strings, heavy bass and a searing, unbridled, dreamy dual-guitar solo. Second to the last song is "Unborn" with acoustic intro and leans towards a metaphysical message "So set your mind free...you must first just listen!" and is setting up the last song. Jeff Loomis crunches through this song with some pounding riffs. The CD ends with the long, climactic, cry for help of "This Godless Endeavor": "Sitting here sideways on a stone cold floor with my guitar gently playing and wanting more... when I hear a sound rapping, tapping on my door...hello, I'm happy to meet you..." and ending with "The universe still expands, mankind still doesn't understand how to define you. So hide your face, and watch us exterminate ourselves. Welcome to the end my friend...the sky has opened!". Incredible lyrics!

I love all the songs. I can't find any low points in this recording. This is a great CD. It's not corny or shlockey (which always seems to be prevalent in Rock/Metal). When you get this CD you'll listen to it every day for weeks and months and never get tired of it. These guys are excellent musicians. All of them pushed themselves to the limit on this CD. Other rock/metal bands should take a lesson from these guys. (most notibly one of the "original" heavy metal bands who reunited last year). They don't waste time when they record. It's rare when musicians still sound fresh as time marches on and Nevermore does. If you're a Nevermore fan you'll love this, if you're not a fan you'll be hooked and run right out to get the other Nevermore recordings.

As if Nevermore couldn't summit past the perfection they had laid in solid stone with their previous albums, This Godless Endeavor is an easy paramount of perfection.

From the opening track, "Born", Jeff Loomis and Steve Smyth shred to total bliss. Loomis' solo's in this song are absolutely absurd. Warrel Dane's vocals combine with the music to create a song twisted with chaotic beauty.

Final Product, the next track is just as heavy, and combines the same breath-taking solos and amazing vocals.

The third track, My Acid Words, opens with downtuned guitars and soon becomes a melodically heavy masterpiece.

Bittersweet Feast, the fourth track, shows the emotional intensity of Danes vocals, and continues on the shredding of Loomis and Smyth.

Sentient 6 is the most ballad oriented track on the album, and shows the discipline and control of Danes vocals. It is about as close to an acoustic track as Nevermore will get. But with ripping guitars during various parts, and a dark end, this track is an absolute masterpiece.

Medicated Nation holds onto the same heaviness and kickass shredding that every other track holds to. Nothing to complain about here, a solid and heavy masterpiece.

Sell My Heart For Stones is also a ballad oriented track, that incorporates a slow, beautiful opener, and becomes progressivelly heavy and dark.

The Psalm of Lydia rips with possibly the coolest riff on the album, and through the entirety of this track Loomis and Smyth rip off solo after solo. It is insane, the solos are just unbelievable.

A Future Uncertain, Again a heavy, melodic track. Not much to say, it just slays.

The album ends with the self titled track, This Godless Endeavor. It opens with an acoustic guitar, and starts out slow with Danes vocals. It progresses, and becomes heavy throughout the song. Killer song.

This review does this album absolutely no justice. Words are just too hard to lay upon this perfection. All I can say is buy it, and prepare to be blown away.

Move over Master of Puppets, and stand down ...Rust in Peace its time for the new lords of metal to step in place. Years ago when The Politics Of Ecstacy came out i wasn't that genuinely impressed, it wasn't until a few years later that i heard Dreaming Neon Black that i was blown away by the intensity and glorious songwriting and musical skills of the band. From there the rest is history in the making, DHIADW, and Enemies Of Reality all set the stage for the new millenium of Heavy Metal and whats to come, well here it is This Godless Endeavor, sure to be the new "Paranoid" of modern metal. Here's the journey as it goes.

1. Born-Definately the most classic and brutal opening track since Battery and Holy Wars..The Punishment Due, in which the song takes off in a melodic death metal direction only to be purified by a godlike sounding haunting chorus with about 3 to 4 harmonies overlaying Warrell Danes Voice(i loved this track so much i couldn't even get to the others). Also i shouldnt neglect to mention the dual solo with Steve Smyth starting and Jeff Loomis rounding it out with his usualy shredding brilliance.

2.Final Product-Not the track i would myself have picked for a single but i'm sure the guys don't always get to make those decisions, but this is a great song none the less. Starting with a smooth double bass intro and skewing into a groove laden (almost radio freindly song). Also as the previous track there are background keyboards to be found, something which i have never heard Nevermore use in the past. This song speaks of the World and its Disarray, all true? Yes. Brilliant Loomis solo here.

3.My Acid Words-Starting out slow and heavy this song is another strong stable on the album, vering off into an At the Gates (Slaughter Of The Soul) rythm section "Literally". As usual another brilliant chorus much in the same vein as born, in which Dane uses his awesome harmony overlays that most singers don't even think of. Excellent double bass technic in the middle break down section also. Being a drummer myself i can say YES its hard. Great Song

4.Bittersweat Feast-This song actually took me a while to warm up to and now its another one of my favorites, staring with a creepy intro thats reminicent of Metallica's cover of The Small Hours and then making a transition into a smooth mid-tempo rocker. The chorus again is very addictive as usual, soon you find yourself swinging your head back and forth in some demented way singing, "They Feast On The Meat In Bittersweet Deniialll". Great use of the whammy pedal in the solo as well, very Joe Satrianish to say the least. Jeff Rules!!

5.Sentient #6-The first part ballad part mid-tempo song on the album. I wasn't quite sure what to think of this at the beginning but as i listened i thought wow this is intense. As i read in an interview with Warrell this is his favorite track. Talks about how Robot's or A.I's could with out a doubt take over the world and become the dominant species. Not sure if its influenced by the movie A.I or I Robot, never the less a good slowpaced song that gets relentless at the end.

6.Medicated Nation-A very different rockish type song for Nevermore, gloomy in an enlightening sort of way. This sounds like the work of new permenant guitarist Steve Smyth whom i know very little about only that he played for another favorite band of mine "Testament". I really like his style of riffing and his solo's, in this it starts of with an out of key sort of polyrythmic riff, then slips into a nice mellow straightforward song in which dane talks about the peril's of narcotics in our Nation(and world). "Did you remember to feed me?" "When i was broken and bleeding". Sums it up. Its also good to see the return of the break in the middle and then speed up into a dual guitar solo, something which has been gone from metal for quite a looonngg time. Thanks for bring it back Jeff and Steve. Killer Track.

7.The Holocaust Of Thought-As I read this little short guitar instrumental was done by someone with the last name murphy. In a review it said none other than Jame's Murphy, but as i recall Jame's died of cancer a few years back the same as Chuck Shuldier. None the less its a short creepy little piece of music.

8.I Sell My Heart For Stones-Steve Smyth did write this one as i also read in an interview. This song is much in the same vein as Tomorrow Turned to Yesterday and the Heart Collector. Same good old chorus from Warrell and brilliant rythm's "clean and distorted" from i'm guessing Steve. Good Ballad.

9.Psalm Of Lydia-I'm sure this isn't about the Bible Psalm Of Lydia, but who cares, this track starts very much like the majority of the album straight out in your face. Goes with a good polyrythmic type beginning then breaks down like an old fashion rock song only 100 times better and scarier. "When i blacked out in the winter month of carpicorn". lryics like that make this a thinking mans song, and then once again as in medicatded nation we get a brief pause with some scales on an acoustic guitar in the middle, then once again get bombarded with a dual solo attack from the Virtuoso boys. This just keeps getting better.

10.A Future Uncertain-As with a lot of albums you just might "think" things are slacking off because of the soft beginning of this track but bare with it for a minute or so and you'll be suprised. BLAST!!! A boombastic double bass frenzy with killer guitar work that slaps you in the face like the old school glory days of thrash. Listen to the rest and find out why this album never slows.

11.This Godless Endeavor-This track goes along with such epics as Keeper Of The Seven Keys from Helloween(although nowhere near as cheesy), Queensryche's Promised Land "song", and anyting that Opeth can write but about 100 times more agressive and gloomier. Although a lot of the tracks speak of world issues people would rather ignore than face, every song does issue some amount of promise, if people would just open there eyes and not be so passive to bad world events. This song starts slow then goes into a beautiful rythmic slow pace in which Warrell sings "Godless Are We". Then look out because the rest of the song is just so amazing you can't listen to it once and even come close to taking it all in. I won't describe this one much, just listen for yourself and you'll see the genius's at work."Welcome to the end my friend, the sky is opening"!!!!

So as if i haven't said enough about this album just pick it up and leave it in your CD player for ohh about a year or so, because your not gonna find a better album in the future i assure you, this is by far the Album Of The Year, if not the best album in the Last 15 years. No i'm not kidding. Take the journey and don't look back. By the way the chorus in "Born" is so addictive my parents and my gf who are not into metal go around humming it allll the time. Enjoy!!!

For some reason I doubted this album would grab me the way it had so many other listeners. I figured that since Nevermore float closely to the power metal genre, while mixing thrash with melodic death metal, it probably wouldn't be my thing. The truth is it probably isn't really my thing these days, having spent so much time adoring doom, black and death metal releases. But I absolutely love it and think it is fully deserving of classic status.

Firstly, the musicianship on show here is astounding. Rarely do I hear solos these days and start drooling, and it's even more rare that these solos enhance otherwise superb songs that meld time changes, interludes, soaring choruses, thrashing riffs, intelligent lyrics, variations in style and simply damn fine song-writing. There is no filler material here. Not even for a second. "This Godless Endeavour" has been meticulously crafted from start to finish and produced to perfection.

It did take me a little while to appreciate everything that was going on. At first I thought I really liked the shorter faster tracks. Only to find myself after a few spins enjoying the almost ballad like qualities of tracks like "Sentient 6" and "Sell My Heart For Stones". I'm sure some will find vocalist Warrel Dane will not be everyone's cup of tea, but his style (and variations) has grown on me dramatically. If you're into progressive metal, power metal or melodic death metal, then this is a damn definite purchase.

I don't own any of the other Nevermore releases, but if they're anywhere near as good as this baby, then I may have to add them to my collection as well.