NEVERMORE
The Obsidian Conspiracy
Review by: ~ Larry

For those of you that have been following NEVERMORE from their self titled debut up until This Godless Endeavor, you would know that these Seattle metal monsters have covered more ground musically than any other band in their ‘genre’. Everything from extreme metal styled songs to the melancholy power ballads. Over the last 19 or so years, these guys have done it all and have showed major progress in their technical ability.

NEVERMORE are the epitome of the progressive metal movement and, in my opinion, leaving everyone in their wake! The 2005 release This Godless Endeavor shattered barriers with it’s carefully thought out song structures, extremely intelligent guitar work, ethereal vocals, thundering bass lines and enchanting percussion. Their latest release, The Obsidian Conspiracy, is nothing like it!!! NEVERMORE has shown that they have nothing more to prove. To say the least, The Obsidian Conspiracy is MAGNIFICENT! 100% absolute sonic mastery!! Every song is perfect in it’s own right.

Although Loomis is one of the greatest guitarist in the known universe, he left most of his ingenious insanity on his solo album(Zero Order Phase). For The Obsidian Conspiracy, he wrote brilliant passages that seem to flow effortlessly with Dane’s vocal mastery. The solos, although most humans can’t fathom playing, are written to perpetuate the melodies within the songs structure. Definitely no filler, just what was necessary to get their point across.

Yes it’s true that this album is not the layered Magnum Opus that This Godless Endeavor was, but the perfect manifestation of where they are now as artist. Absolute brilliance! Although NEVERMORE doesnt't have the fan base to fill Madison Square Garden[ because Nevermore’s music is for the intelligent ;)], I have the feeling that one day the people of Earth will realize their majesty and they will go down in history along side the likes of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath!