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I hesitate to classify this band as “Power Metal” because Nevermore abuse boundaries and classifications much like your uncle treats his red-headed stepchild. They are consistently heavy enough to be considered Thrash while some riffs are flat-out Death Metal and yet the melodies are almost Classic Metal in nature. The guitars are superlative, regardless, and perhaps the gentlemen of Testament are their only peers. In fact, two ex-Testament axe-slingers appear on this record with Steve Smyth now being a permanent member.
That being said, er, written, the primary vocal style of Warrel Dane definitely falls within the Power Metal arena, although he is capable of some standard Thrash vocals and even a pseudo-Death Metal growl now and again (listen to the opening vocal lines on this album for proof). So what is Nevermore? Power Metal, plain ol’ Heavy Metal, or maybe something else? I’ll tell you what they are, damned good at what they do.
This is a band that I have always wanted to like -- and perhaps even tried to like in the past. A single song here or there, “Narcosynthesis” chief among them, has often struck my fancy but that spark typically gave way to general disinterest but never really dislike. Whatever the case, they have finally done it -- Nevermore have made a record that I like. A lot. A whole helluva lot, in fact.
“This Godless Endeavor” is absolutely killer and Andy Sneap’s lead crystal production (as in heavy but with clarity) only serves to magnify the experience. This album has it all from Dane’s soaring vocals to Jeff Loomis’ brutal riffs to blistering leads to saccharine melodies to forceful power to Van Williams’ manic drumming and even some emotive balladeering. The musicanship is top notch and includes piano and acoustic guitar. Additionally, Jim Sheppard’s bass is not just window dressing and serves to drive the music more than is typical.
Specific points on the album invoke everyone from Queen to Skinlab (song #3 in particular) to God Forbid to Halford to King Diamond to their Seattle forebears in Queensr˙che (especially in the softer songs). I can easily hear the influence of James Murphy throughout, particularly on the isolated (lead/clean) guitar parts (especially in the final 2 minutes of song #10). In fact, without the benefit of complete liner notes, I can tell it is Murphy playing the solo on the 7th song. Godly.
Best record of the year? This is definitely a contender as it kills from top to bottom. I can’t say enough good things about it. Believe the hype and get this damned thing as soon as you can. It hits the streets at the end of July 2005 and should find itself spinning in any Metalhead’s system for many moons to come. “This Godless Endeavor” is for fans of METAL and I can easily see Nevermore spanning the gap between Death Metalheads and Power Metallers alike. Catch ‘em on Gigantour this summer in the U.S. and maybe in Europe later. Testament and Nevermore should just take over the world on some sort of monstrous tour and be done with it. Seriously.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Born [The Retribution Of Spiritual Sickness] |
| 2. Final Product |
| 3. My Acid Words |
| 4. Bittersweet Feast |
| 5. Sentient 6 |
| 6. Medicated Nation |
| 7. The Holocaust Of Thought |
| 8. Sell My Heart For Stones |
| 9. The Psalm Of Lydia |
| 10. A Future Uncertain |
| 11. This Godless Endeavor |
: 57.10
| Buy other Nevermore albums |
