Band:	Evergrey
Album:	The Storm Within
Style:	Power metal, Progressive metal
Release date:	September 09, 2016
A review by:	Dream Taster

01. Distance
02. Passing Through
03. Someday
04. Astray
05. The Impossible
06. My Allied Ocean
07. In Orbit [feat. Floor Jansen]
08. The Lonely Monarch
09. The Paradox Of The Flame [feat. Carina Englund]
10. Disconnect [feat. Floor Jansen]
11. The Storm Within

The musicians of Evergrey have had a tumultuous and hard-fought career, and even though the band has had many talented members, the current lineup is being rightfully regarded as their best. Following the triumphant combined returns of Henrik Danhage and Jonas Ekdahl in 2014, the album Hymns for the Broken set the new standard for the band. 2016 sees their new offering come to life through AFM Records, bearing the title The Storm Within. So?

So, circle the calendar. The dark poets of progressive power metal have struck gold again. The energy level is at par with their classic albums from the early 2000s. The duo of Tom S. Englund and Henrik Danhage is as impressive as ever on guitars while the rhythm section absolutely nails every track. Jonas Ekdahl [drums] and Johan Niemann [bass] are so integral to the sound of Evergrey anymore that it is hard to conceive there was a time when they were not part of it. Rikard Zander on keyboards is providing his expertise at creating haunting atmospheres. His sound is very prominent, yet the guitars trump it all, as it should be.

Every track is trademark Evergrey, featuring elaborate guitar work, remarkable solos, killer rhythms and Tom's unmistakable vocals. As a singer, I don't think he gets the recognition he deserves. But then the same can be said for his guitar skills. Some tracks are more rock-oriented than others, referencing all eras of the band. The lyrics and melodies are full of references to their previous songs, which is also a very cool way to pay tribute to their career.

As usual, Tom's wife, the soulful vocalist Carina Englund, adds her touch to one song, the power ballad "The Paradox of the Flame". More surprising is the pretty amazing vocal duet with Nightwish's Floor Jansen on "In Orbit". For those who still remember a band called After Forever, it should not be surprising to find out how much her voice is suited for this type of music. The rest of the album is very straightforward and effective power-laden progressive power, with the notable exception of the piano-driven and vocal-centric "The Impossible". The Storm Within is heavy, dynamic, rocking, energizing, and so masterfully powerful. Try not to head bang to tracks such as "My Allied Ocean", "The Lonely Monarch" or "Disconnect".

The natives of Gothenburg, Sweden are celebrating their 20th anniversary with an all-encompassing album, full of catchy tunes and memorable moments. The Storm Within resuscitates the Evergrey of a decade ago albeit with a handful of more modern influences. Eleven tracks spread over 58 exhilarating minutes that sum up what the band has been bringing consistently during two decades of hard work and dedication. The Storm Within stands on its own in their discography and might just be their crowning achievement.