"I have decided to keep this tape recorder with me at all times. Just so that maybe one day I can explain all the strange things happening to me. The lack of sleep. The loss of time. But most of all the sensation of never being lonely...always being watched..."
And so begins Evergrey's third album, "In Search of Truth". The Swedish band is one of those weird bands that inexplicably manage to be both underrated and not underrated at the same time. Sure they probably deserve more attention than they get (ok, they definitely deserve more attention than they get) but the fans they have often promote the band so much that it actually may end up hurting the band's growth. At the very least it hypes the band to nearly impossible levels of quality. However, just because fans overhype a band doesn't mean the band isn't absolutely fantastic, and Evergrey are simply that.
That intro quote gives you a pretty great idea of what lies ahead. A simi-dark concept album which features power metal in all its ridiculous glory. I'll include the story plot at the end, so if you want to experience the story solely from the album, feel free to ignore that part. The lyrics never stuck me as overly amazing, but the story is interesting enough to keep you listening carefully. If you enjoy power metal lyrics, this album will be fine, if you hate it for their typically silly nature, this album really won't do much to change your mind.
The music here is great. Guitarists Englund and Danhage have great musical chemistry and each work off the other one well. Their guitars often mix or harmonize and are great fun to listen to. Steve Karlsson is an amazing keyboardist, and really steals the show. The drums and bass are never overly complex but also never too basic. This allows the guitars and keyboard to really sit in the spotlight, right where they should be for this kind of music.
As for the vocals, well they're good too. Vocalist Englund has great power and good range. While they're pretty typical for power metal, they defiantly get the job done. They're also nice and high in the mix and finely detailed, so his vocals are always clear and memorable.
If you like power metal, this is a great album. If you like prog this is at least worth checking out. It isn't overly innovative, but it refines what lots of other bands have tried to do and that's worth plenty in its own right. Symphony X fans will appreciate this, as it is (in my opinion) Symphony X but less pretentious and a bit darker.
As promised, here is the summery of the story: Basically a man feels like something is wrong but he can't put his finger on it. He sets out to find what it is, but can't truly figure anything out beyond that he isn't safe anymore. After much effort he still comes away empty handed and inevitably surrenders and accepts this new reality. However, it isn't long until the issue comes to him personally and aliens abduct the man and presumably experiment on him. Soon after this, he is released back to earth but as a marked man. He is shunned from his community and has nothing left to live for. Wanting answers, he attempts to track down the aliens and slowly loses his sanity. In the end, he is put into a mental institution and this is where we leave our character.
