Year: 2022
Total Time: 50.14
Label: Napalm Records
Only a year after their previous album “Escape Of The Phoenix” and a few months after their live album “Live: Before The Aftermath”, EVERGREY return with ten new songs. Before diving into the magic world of EVERGREY and their thirteenth album, I must admit that after listening to their new album numerous times, I want to see them live, immediately!
The album starts madly with two of the best songs in the album, “Save Us” with the totally addictive refrain and the pretty heavy “Midwinter Calls” with the interesting chorus parts that give an epic dimension to the song. “Ominous” showcases 100% the amazing voice of Englund and along with “Call Out The Dark” present a modern version of EVERGREY with the use of electronic elements in the sound and the voice. Half way there, “The Orphean Testament” is probably the least innovative song of the album and the most indicative of the sound that they try to impose in the past decade. The next song, “Reawakening” is a typical EVERGREY song. Moving on to “The Great Unwashed” with the amazing intro, some distinctive solos and pretty amazing diversity in vocals. “Heartless” is even better with the prevailing guitar of Danhage along with one more flawless performance from Englund. The penultimate song of the album, “Blindfolded” could easily be the perfect closure since it’s refrain is maybe the catchiest and it sticks to your head! I cannot figure out the reason for closing their powerful album with the ballad “Wildfires”. Ok, another one amazing performance by Englund, the classic guitar is also very good but I would rather listen to this song at the fourth of fifth place of the album. Same way it happens in many concerts, where the bands choose ballads somewhere in the middle of their concerts, in order to give their fans a chance to breathe!
In total, “A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament)” is an excellent album for all tastes. It has from ballads and melodic songs to powerful and heavy songs! Everybody will find something to sing along!
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: EVERGREY – Official Page
