Band:	Nevermore
Album:	Nevermore
Style:	Heavy metal, Progressive metal, Thrash metal
Release date:	1995
A review by:	Lucas

01. What Tomorrow Knows
02. C.B.F.
03. The Sanity Assassin
04. Garden Of Grey
05. Sea Of Possibilities
06. The Hurting Words
07. Timothy Leary
08. Godmoney

2006 re-release bonus tracks:
09. The System's Failing
10. The Dreaming Mind [demo]
11. World Unborn [demo]
12. Chances Three [demo]
13. Utopia [demo]
+ What Tomorrow Knows [video]

From the ashes of the unfortunate split of Sanctuary in 1990, Warrel Dane (vocals) and Jim Sheppard (bass) decide to keep the flame burning. After some time Nevermore was born and they started writing new material. In 1995 their untitled debut album saw the light. Nowadays, this release is very overlooked, as most of the Nevermore fans skip this album and start talking about the second album "The Politics Of Ecstasy". Because the aforementioned "Politics.." or "Dead Heart In A Dead World" are such masterpieces this album will probably dwell in their shades forever. This is not completely justified as this release captures a very young and raw Nevermore which is already very interesting to listen to.

However, I must admit to be guilty as well. "Nevermore" was the last album I heard from them and I already had high expectations. Expectations which it doesn't live up to. Does that mean this is a bad album? No, after you put things in perspective you'll realize this is a good release in it's own way. The insanity of Warrel Danes' vocals and lyrics are already present and they do not fail to deliver. Also Jeff Loomis shows he already knew how to write great riffs back then.
For a debut album, this release is also pretty varried. Whether you like catchy choruses such as in "The Sanity Assassin" or the ever present criticism on christianity or religion in general in "Godmoney". Whether you like Loomis' solo's over heavy riffing or the beautiful and almost insane vocal performances of Warrel Dane. It is all there for you.

In the end, one cannot deny that Nevermore's best albums are "Politics..", "Dead Heart.." or maybe "This Godless Endeavor". It doesn't have the energy and virtuosity of these albums. However, this album was surely a big step in the right direction and for that fact solely it deserves more recognition.

Don't be afraid to dream outside the lines.