EVERGREY „Recreation Day”

Evergrey continue on in 2003 with their fourth release overall, and the second available in North American markets. Recreation Day once again emphasizes dark and often progressive metal inventiveness from this Swedish outfit who rest somewhere in the power and progressive metal realm, but still in a league of their own. The vastness and variance, emotions and complexity, makes this disc essential in my humble opinion. The lyrics invoke plenty of thought, they can be very direct at times also enable your mind to ponder and decipher your own meanings. Directness within complexity is perhaps Evergrey's trademark.

Unlike the previous release, Recreation Day is not really a concept album, but there are similar themes flowing throughout. 'End Of Days' deals with death and loss, which can also be tied in somewhat with the lyrics from 'As I Lie Here Bleeding' and 'Recreation Day'. The latter and title-track from the album deals with mourning a loss, but also rebuilding and remembering in a positive way. You could even twist the lyrics if you really wanted, perhaps not the loss of an actual person but one caused from a newsworthy tragedy (9/11/01 Fall of the Twin Towers). Check out the opening riff from the title-track and you will think your listening to thrash, while the vocal parts during the chorus from Tom S. Englund are tremendously harmonious. Within the title-track there are many contrasts and varying musical styles. The piano piece leading into the guitar solo really sets a different mood, while fitting every section of the track previously played perfectly.

Unlike some Progressive outfits, Evergrey attempt to keep an extreme guitar-emphasis and heaviness throughout. Keyboards do peek over the hill at times but the thrash-like riffs put Recreation Day back on track. 'I'm Sorry', which is actually a cover song, opens with a piano solo and the lone instrument alongside the opening verse, but the piano is soon forced aside by the guitar tinged chorus which leads into a heavier passage which remains throughout most of the remaining song. 'Blinded' shows some Yngwie Malmsteen inspired classical solos and 'Fragments' takes a heavy doom laden Black Sabbath approach which also brings the albums theme back into focus. 'Madness Caught Another Victim' is an acoustic guitar and vocal track which leads into 'Your Darkest Hour', lifting yourself up “Out Of The Darkness And Into The Light” as the vocals proclaim. The song is very uplifting and positive, pianos also peek into the musical scheme once again during the break leading into the the closing vocal passages. 'Unforgiven' deals with the new millennium problem of Child Molestation in the Catholic Church, unforgivable sins.

Recreation Day ends with a bonus track 'Trilogy Of The Damned' previously available as the Japanese bonus track from In Search Of Truth. The bonus track is actually a real treat, and at nine minutes it's the longest piece within. This time around the piano remains throughout the entire song making it sound very somber throughout, gloomy but also beautiful. Evergrey untie their entire trick-bag on Recreation Day which was produced by Tom S. Englund (vocals), Henrik Danhage and In Flames/Hammerfall producer Fredrik Nordstrom.