NEVERMORE — In Memory (review)

EP · 1996 · Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2019-02-27
UMUR

"In Memory" is an EP release by US power/thrash metal act Nevermore. The EP was released through Century Media Records in July 1996. It bridges the gap between the band´s debut- and second full-length studio albums "Nevermore (1995)" and "The Politics of Ecstasy (1996)". There´s been a lineup change since the debut album as guitarist Pat O'Brien (who would later join Cannibal Corpse) has been added to the lineup. Neil Kernon again handles the production.

Stylistically it´s closer in style to the US power metal oriented and relatively melodic debut album than to the more technical, raw, and thrashy material on "The Politics of Ecstasy (1996)", although the 5 tracks on the 26:10 minutes long EP were recorded during the sessions for "The Politics of Ecstasy (1996)". They sound more like they were written during the sessions for the debut album though, which is probably why Nevermore opted to release them on this EP and not include them on "The Politics of Ecstasy (1996)".

The five tracks on the EP do a great job at representing the different aspects of Nevermore´s sound. "Optimist or Pessimist" is a pretty raw and aggressive thrash metal oriented track, "Matricide" is US power metal, "In Memory" is more heavy, dramatic, and epic almost gothic in style (and a little progressive metal oriented too), "Silent Hedges / Double Dare" is a Bauhaus cover (introducing Nevermore´s tradition of doing interesting covers), and "The Sorrowed Man" is a melancholic metal ballad. The different styles featured on the EP is exactly the reason why it´s so hard to describe Nevermore´s sound, but also why they are so interesting and unique.

Although the tracks are relatively different in style, the overall flow of the EP works well, and the quality of the material is consistent throughout. To my ears the highlight of the EP is "Silent Hedges / Double Dare" though, which Nevermore transforms into a dark and ultra heavy track with great success. If you didn´t know it you wouldn´t have guessed that the source material was originally post-punk/goth rock.

"In Memory" features a relatively well sounding and professional production (it´s one of the the least interesting productions on Nevermore´s releases though). The musicianship is of a high quality on all posts, from the vicious twin guitar attack of Jeff Loomis and Pat O'Brien, to the varied rhythmic playing by drummer Van Williams and bassist Jim Sheppard, to the both paatos filled and theatrical yet raw and aggressive vocals by Warrel Dane. So upon conclusion "In Memory" is a quality release by Nevermore. It´s still very much a transition release between their early more melodic inclined US power metal and the more technical, heavy, and thrash metal oriented style they would play on "The Politics of Ecstasy (1996)", and to my ears lacks the more defined and mature sound of their later releases. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.