(Nuclear Blast) Total time: 57:59
Good news! The highly anticipated new album from the Dutch symphonic metal band has arrived bringing together a sense of renewal along with new innovative ideas highly organized and perfectly arranged.
AFTER FOREVER were formed in 1995, playing mainly death metal music, although in 1997 when Floor Jansen joined the group there was a clear attempt to adapt their music to her beautiful voice. In 2000 they issued “Prison Of Desire”, maybe their best album so far and soon it became clear to the metal community that they had the potential to offer great moments to metal fans. After the issue of “Decipher” they started being recognized as one of the leading female fronted metal bands. Two more albums in 2004 “Invincible Circles” and in 2005 “Remagine” just confirmed their position in symphonic/atmospheric metal scene. This is the time where the chapter Transmission Records comes to an end and the new chapter named Nuclear Blast begins a new era.
Having in mind the band’s achievements so far it should have been easy to explain and fully understand how their new album should look like. Nevertheless things are a bit different. Self-titled “After Forever” in order to state retrospection to the mood of their previous attempts, this one seems fresher, more metal and more inspired than what they have done before. On the contrary this may sound as more commercial to some but this is highly subjective regarding the album. The production is perfect and one could hear even the slightest sound of every instrument in a highly organized manner resulting in technically “complete” and “full” compositions. As far as the songwriting is concerned, it is of high importance to state that two talented musicians Sander Gommans (Guitar, vocals) and Joost van den Broek have written all the music surrounded by Floor Jansen’s beautiful voice. The lyrics written by Floor speak about internal energy each of us has and how it is affects our personality traits. Almost all tracks are of the same quality, with inspired guitar solos and the extensive use of keyboards leading to power metal as long as symphonic harmonies. Check out “Energise me”, “Discord”, “Envision”, “Transitory” and “Who I Am” which features the appearance of Doro Pesch. Also, there is another guest appearance to “After Forever” and this is Jeff Waters from Annihilator.
Following parallel paths to groups with great commercial success such as Nightwish and Within Temptation, AFTER FOREVER are here to add their own stone to today’s symphonic metal with success. “After forever” should be regarded as an expectedly good attempt by a first class band.
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