Everdome - Tales Beyond Oblivion


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Heavencross Records
Catalog Number: HRCD 013
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:12:00

When I think of Greece, I think of beaches, vacation, philosophers and the Olympics. But frankly not about metal. And here is where the surprise comes, when I check out the debut album from Everdome, as they are from Greece! Formed in 1995, originally named Bloodshed, they have released two demos under this name. Not satisfied with the production of the first demo, Warpath, they work hard on achieving a higher quality. In 2000 they change their name to Everdome and release a third demo, The Crown, which helps them to get a record deal, with Heaven Cross Records and now we can hear their debut album, Tales Beyond Oblivion.

After an initial spin, I can already say this is an amazing power metal album, with many progressive and gothic elements. Fast, pounding double bass, extremely crunchy riffs and a fantastic rhythm section. Vocalist Nikos Michas is very good (I am terrible at comparing vocalists, so you'll have to do that yourself), with his powerful vocals. At times they throw in some harmonies a la Rhapsody, but just enough to keep it nice. Opener "Oblivion" sets out as with a sort of choir, really catchy, it sticks in your head for days, it builds up nicely with soft guitars and keyboards, then knocks you down with their sheer power. Along the 10 tracks of the album, they show a consistent high quality in their performance, thus brining us one of the better power metal albums of this year.

They have added just enough keys to make it very melodious and also in the arrangements, they really show melody is important to them, not just shredding and pounding. Kostas Pourgiazis crunches away on rhythm guitars and provides and dark, heavy background for lead guitarist Antreas Sotiropoulos to play his solos, harmonies and other amazing riffs. One of my favorite songs already is "Wanderer Of Legendary Falls," especially because the amazing guitars in it, as well as the fantastic vocals by Michas. But if you want real power, listen to "Darkness Lives Within": fast double bass, stunning solos and pounding bass guitar. The breaks and changes in the songs add to the progressive element in the music.

Man, I can go on and discuss every track, but you just got to listen to this amazing album yourself. There is so much to discover in the songs, it will keep you listening for a long time. The production of Tales Beyond Oblivion is really great and the dark artwork fits the music very well. A stunning debut album and a well deserved score. Judge it for yourself, you won't be disappointed.

[This review originally appeared August 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Oblivion (2:44) / The Crown (4:45) / Wanderer Of Legendary Fields (6:19) / Beyond The Shores Of Logic (5:03) / Darkness Lives Within (5:14) / The Passage (1:31) / Secrets Of The Ocean (6:04) / Fairyland (6:24) / Divine Tragedy (6:44) / Armageddon (8:06)

Musicians:
Spiros Haralambous - drums
Antonis Kalamoutsos - bass
Nikos Michas - vocals
Kostas Pourgiazis - rhythm guitars
Andreas Sotiropoulos - lead guitars Vasilis Tsiakalos ? keyboards

Discography:
Bloodshed - Warpath (1996)
Bloodshed - Fairyland (1998)
The Crown (2001)
Tales Beyond Oblivion (2004)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin GR

Added: November 28th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.everdome.tk/
Hits: 2231
Language: english

  

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