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Review Summary: Surrounded by solid musicians, Warrel Dane once again proves he has no equal. Now I’m not a particularly religious person, but it seems someone has answered my musical prayers. With Iced Earth's latest being a complete sleeper, Bodom hitting rock bottom, and Watershed completely lacking any memorable songwriting, the metal scene is in desperate need of an at least a decent album. Not that there aren't any good albums out there right now, it’s just there doesn't seem to be any hard-hitting, balls up, cock-rock cd's to keep my suburban white ass head banging. Dane has answered my prayers with a disc so good if you see me drive by in my parents car with one arm raised, clasping an invisible orb, head banging furiously, you'll already know what I’m listening to.
Beware listener, this is not Nevermore, and if that's what you’re expecting you could be a tad disappointed, but after repeated listens you will come around just as I did. All seems vacant in Nevermore base camp these days, but this has definitely made the wait for some new material far more bearable. The album does however have the same heaviness, production, and sound of Nevermore, particularly close to Dead Heart In A Dead World, so if you’re already a fan you will be in for a treat.
Superb riffing dominates this album; Peter Wichers (ex.Soilwork) and Matt Wicklund (ex. Himsa) absolutely throw it down. Neither of them brings anything incredibly original or progressive to the table, but the riffs are fresh, heavy, and masterfully thought-out. Every song is impeccably well written and manages to keep your interest all the way through. The song writing style is very much like Dark Tranquilities Fiction ; in that every song flows incredibly well; bottom ended chugs proceed into head banging speed riffs and then into chorded choruses, giving Warrel a great amount of room to exercise his vocal talent over all of them. It’s not all heavy metal though; the songs take a lighter change in the mid-section of the album, featuring some truly epic ballads such as Let You Down and Your Chosen Misery.
The bass and drum work on is not however up to the high standards of the guitars and vocals. The drums sit way back in the mix making them particularly hard to pick out and appreciate, but then again this is more hard rock than it is metal, so maybe I was expecting too much. The bass follows the guitar lines all the way though but, the mix has such a heavy bottom end that you know it’s there.
And now on to the man himself, Warrel Dane has an incredible talent that is rarely seen nowadays. His operatic vocal style will simply astound you every time, spine tingling highs, an exceptionally powerful midrange, and perfect vocal harmonies, will have you begging for more. He also has a remarkable ability to make every word so full of emotion that it paints a vivid mental image of whatever he’s singing about. He bellows “love lost, fire at will” and “if your finger was above the trigger, would it itch?” with such piss and vehemence it’s somewhat frightening. The vocals are also very well placed within the context of the riffs. His operatic vocals fly over the boring parts and stop to make room for the interesting and complex tidbits of guitar work. The lyrics are angst-ridden barrages of protest against the government, war, and drugs, but with-out being too preachy. In terms of vocals, this album is leaps and bounds above everyone else, even most of Dane’s work with Nevermore.
The first section of the album is four songs of awesome heavy-metal/hard-rock, featuring a brilliant solo from king Jeff Loomis on Messenger, and the oral orgasm Lucretia My Reflection, a Sisters of Mercy cover. The mid-section is laden with powerful, epic ballads, featuring some of Dane’s best work. The final section is highlighted by a passionate Paul Simon cover, Patterns, and a classic Nevermore-style thrasher, Equilibrium.
The production style and sound is very similar to Nevermore it makes me wonder if it is Dane’s input that makes Nevermore sound the way they do, or if Nevermore’s sound is simply rubbing off on him. Hearing and album of such quality coming from Warrel in a solo effort makes me froth at the mouth of the thought of how good the next Nevermore album will be. All in all there really isn’t a bad song on the disc, but the album is far from perfect. I feel this album is just an opener, with a lot of room for the band to grow and mature, I think the masterpiece disc is two or three releases down the road.
If you’re a fan of head banging guitars, Warrel Dane, Nevermore, or cock-rock-fist-pumping heavy metal, get your hands on this,,, now.
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This was a woefully sub-par album.
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you fail for saying Watershed had no memorable songwriting. anyway, ive been meaning to listen to this since i like a bit of Nevermore
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I seriously love this album. Some of the songs are sub-par but some of the songs are really well written ("This Old Man"). Good review.
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It is the energy of Warrel, Jeff, and Van Williams that make Nevermore work so well. Take away one of them, and you start having issues.... though I have no doubts Jeff could make one hell of a solo album.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yet to hear this, but I doubt a Warrel solo album would have the same musical intensity as a Nevermore one. I expect some amazing lyrics though.
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jrowa, Watershed had absolutely NO memorable songwriting of any kind. Bland and shitty.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
As I stated in the review, if you expect to hear Nevemore you will be disappointed if you only give it one listen. This is a simpler album in terms of musicianship, also its more hard-rock than metal so right of the bat you should know there wont be quad-kicks and lighting fast guitar sweeps. However Dane is absolutely top notch.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I don't expect to hear Nevermore. I expect to hear a Warrel solo album, which I expect to suck. I like Dane's vocals, but he needs his Loomis writing partnership. I like Nevermore because it has Warrel's vocals over Nevermore's thrash/death metal approach.
This is just going to sound like boring metal with Dane wah-wahing over it.
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Altmer, while I am sure you are probably right, shouldn't you listen to a track or two before damning this album to hell?
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I will listen to this eventually. That's not the point here. The point is that this is what I expect. It could turn out better or worse given my playing the record, on which I'll base a rating. Don't get me wrong, I love Nevermore and like Dane's vocals.
I just don't think that creatively, a Dane solo album is going to work in the same way a Nevermore album does.
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You just had to take that shot at Watershed didn't you? DIDN'T YOU!?!?
lol, but seriously, solid review, made me wanna check this out.
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I can confirm Altmer's position, as it is the same as mine, and I managed to listen to half of this before the boredom became too much. It is hard to a do a "metal" solo album when you are the vocalist, because a lot of the interest falls to the guitar riffs, of which there are zero interesting ones on this record (for as much as I listened to it).This Message Edited On 06.19.08
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Its a good album,but every Nevermore Song is By far more superior than these songs.Im just wondring how the new NM album will sound with witchers producing it....
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
While Nevermore songs are superior to these, you have to look at this with a different perspective than you would with Nevermore. This is a more commercial approach to music for Dane than Nevermore. Songs on this album are far more simplistic and straight to the point than anything Nevermore does, which is usually much more technical and heavy, in general.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
yeah, i understand your point,and I aggree.But I believe the album lacks those memorable moments or riffs.Personally after having heard this for many times,and even bought the vinyl,I have to admit i only truly enjoy The day the rats went to war,and Your chosen Misery.Surely the others are also enjoyable but it leaves me with a taste of bitterness.I mean,only Dane shines through this,and I truly have nothing with witchers or wicklund
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I agree with you. The riffs, when I first heard them, were pretty awesome, but they began to wear down the more I listened to the album. I really love The Day The Rats Went To War, When We Pray, Messenger, Lucretia My Reflection and Patterns. There are some pretty sweet songs on this, but I will always prefer Dane's vocals on Nevermore's stuff more than with this band.
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I thought initially that warrel dane's vocals were weak compared to his work with nevermore, but then i thought that the other instruments complimente his voice, making the whole thing sound complete and full. A few weak(er) tracks here and there, but one the whole this is pretty good.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
yea
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Didn't even know this existed damn. About time I give it a listen.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
This one falls into comparison with the other Nevermore releases and that's not the deal at all. There are some extraordinary tracks, like Equilibrium, August, When We Pray and Your Chosen Misery. It's not Nevermore but neither is a vocal driven album. The guitar solos work very well and the rythm section is top notch.
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