Evidence - Truth From A Lie

Year of Release: 2000
Label: self-released (Wicked)
Catalog Number: Wicked 2001 CD
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:28:00

Evidence aren't entirely sure that they want to be a prog metal band as there are tracks on their self-titled debut that sound more like Gin Blossoms or the like, only with a much harder edge. Most of the tracks are straight out of the late 80s - for the longest time I had this voice rattling around in my head, a voice that vocalist Sergio Sabino reminded me of. After some searching, what I came up with was David Coverdale. Now, I've always thought Coverdale sounded like, nay, wanted to "be" Robert Plant, but Sabino doesn't quite have that aspect of Coverdale's voice. There are other seasonings in there as well, that makes it hard to pinpoint. Another band that comes to mind is Angel Dust. At any rate, for "Thorns," the third track, it's one part Gin Blossoms, one part Soul Asylum; even the ballad "Never Too Late" might fall into this category.

What the evidence shows, or what Evidence shows, is that they've got the front man, they've got the chops, and that they can put this together in a nice package. Unless you are a fan of dark, growly metal, you can't help but like this album. There are really no complaints. It's warm and melodic, full of memorable refrains, beautiful leads -- this kind of metal was all over the charts in late 80s and was killed by Nirvana. What Evidence bring to the sound, is that 90's crunch - perhaps most exemplified by Dream Theater. The production is great, especially for a self-released title. You'd never know this wasn't something released by Insideout or Metal Blade or Noise, or someone. At the risk of sounding less like an impartial observer and more like part of the PR team, any one of these labels ought to give Evidence a hearing, as they can quite easily site along side the likes of Royal Hunt, Artention, etc. There is one...bad moment here, as the tone of the guitar on the title track "Truth From A Lie," for one brief moment, sounds more like a rusty, squeaky hinge - this is about 20 seconds (at most) out of the entire album.

A little bit about Evidence: they make their home in Portugal, which seems to be fostering a healthy resurgence in progressive music - even if, like their countrymen Forgotten Suns, they're using an existing palette. Forming in 1995, over the years they have receive both critical and fan praise, and they have seen their music top the charts of the "most important radio station ('Radio Comercial'). They are a four piece of Sabino on vocals, Vasco Martins on guitar, Pedro Antunes on bass, and Rui Lino on drums and percussion. Song themes rang from trying for second chances ("Time Machine"), socio-political commentary ("Ignorance"), to relationships ("Never Too Late," "Questions"), to thoughts of suicide ("Dancing With The Devil"). And Sabino is quite the poetic writer ... along the lines of one of my favourite lyricists, Fish, though that's the only Marillion-like reference one can make. Reflection is also a strong theme, in terms of both contemplation and the silver and glass kind - often in concert. Not so surprising, that, though, as we are often contemplative gazing back at our own reflection.

Haven't picked out favourite tracks yet, though the both the ballad "Never Too Late," and the rocker "Dancing With The Devil" have caught my ear. The solo that concludes "My Last Day" shows that Martins is as fleet with his fingers as, say, Petrucci, without playing to excess. The acoustic intro to "Questions" echoes that which begins "Dust In The Wind," though where the track goes isn't in the same direction. And it reminds me of a track called, I think, "Can't Find My Way Home," that was released in 1991 or so; can't recall the artist at the moment (though something tells me it was a cover). "The Wicked," which closes the album is also quite nice - a contrast between metal drive and soaring vocals...not unlike Angra actually, especially as Sabino hits those kind high notes. The most Dream Theater like moment is the intro to "Lalabia," which may remind many of "Pull Me Under." It remains a very light, gentle guitar piece, fragile, airy, not quite ethereal. Only lasts for a few minutes, though - far too short.

This gets my vote for one of the better releases of the year, which means some of the more "popular" titles are going to have stiff competition.

Tracklisting:
Time Machine (4:58) / Ignorance (4:38) / Thorns (4:38) / Never Too Late (4:34) / Shankar Song part 1 (4:28) / Shankar Song part 2 (1:10) / Truth From A Lie (3:55) / Madhouse (4:19) / Dancing With The Devil (4:35) / My Last Day (5:38) / Question (5:31) / The Wicked (5:41) / Lalabia (2:33)

Musicians:
S?rgio Sabino - vocals
Vasco Martins - guitars
Pedro Antunes - bass
Rui Lino - drums and percussion

Discography:
Truth From A Lie (2000)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin PT

Added: December 1st 2000
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Hits: 2641
Language: english