Nevermore
The Obsidian Conspiracy
Century Media

Given the illness, injury and bad luck that has plagued Nevermore since 2005′s superb ‘This Godless Endeavor’, it comes as no surprise that it has taken the best part of five years to produce a sequel. As much as I have been looking forward to this, I was fairly certain it would never match its predecessor; and whilst it is true that ‘The Obsidian Conspiracy’ does not attain such lofty heights, this is still a damn fine album. It’s hard to argue that, although being a progressive metal band, Nevermore have not really progressed musically over the intervening period, but they have definitely not taken the easy route and made the same album again; ‘The Obsidian Conspiracy’ is distinctly Nevermore, but still different to what has gone before.

Right from the ballsy opening track ‘The Termination Proclamation’ there is a noticeable sharpness to the sound, a leaner and more focused aspect to the songwriting; all but the last two tracks are under the five minute mark, and none of them go meandering off – something a number of fans will welcome, but I personally miss a bit of that. Another enhancement that will split followers is the multitude of what can only be described as catchy choruses; ‘And The Maiden Spoke’ is a great example of how to do it, with the crushing verses and instrumental passages giving way to a memorable bridge and chorus that retains the menace the pervades this album so thoroughly; however, ‘Without Morals’ is less successful, the lyrics being slightly embarrassing prose such that an angst-ridden teenager might hide at the back of an exercise book.

But the best is saved until last, with ‘The Day You Built The Wall’ and the title track being fantastic slabs of classic Nevermore that sandwich the stand-out song; ‘She Comes In Colors’ is the epitome of what every fan wants from a great Nevermore track – a haunting, mesmeric acoustic first half gives way to the most punishing of guitars playing deliciously heavy riffs, and all the while Warrel Dane shows off his vast range of brilliant vocal styles. Until tomorrow…

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Review by Dominic Hemy