Evidence
One
are a melodic metal band fronted by one of my current
favourite vocalists in Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz, guitarists
Joerg Wartmann and Wolfgang Schimmer, bassist Thomas Bauer and
drummer Rami Ali. This five piece produce what is arguable
some of the finest melodic metal you will hear on the market
today, classic in its delivery with a big twin guitar attack
and a pulsating rhythm section all topped off with the tasty
vocals of Schulz. With their third album ‘The Sky Is The
Limit’ the band have honed their sound into pretty much a
perfect example of the melodic metal genre. The production by
Robby Boebel is full and biting, possessing a rich bottom end
and an uncluttered sound which really furthers the music’s
projection.
Opener “The Sky Is The Limit” is relatively
straightforward in its direction being powered along by a
simple yet powerful riff and a pulsating bass line over which
Carsten’s vocals belt out the main vocal hook in glorious
style making for a strong opening. “Mr Madness” is up
next and whilst the tempo is around the same as its
predecessor the band play a little more with following a
rhythm as opposed to pummelling you with a hook laden riff,
here the vocals give the track its colour with Schulz singing
low and dirty before the chorus sees vocal harmonies and
counterpoints working to glorious effect. This is all topped
with an impressive guitar solo section to deliver another
impressive result. “The Luxury Of Losing Hope” sees
Evidence One slow down slightly into a sumptuous mid tempo
groove for an absolute melodic treat where instruments and
vocal harmonies all smelt into a classic track. Everything is
about as close to perfection in the melodic metal market as
you will get here. “Won’t Sleep Alone” possesses a
dark mystical vibe built around a solid bass/drums foundation
over which Wartmann and Schimmer entwine their guitars into
eerie melodies before a clean guitar figure forms the basis of
the verse over which Schulz rich voice works its magic,
another stunner. The band pick up the tempo for another
great track in “Propaganda” which sees nice interplay
between guitars and a bass line which picks out passing tones
from its chords to strong effect. The chorus here is sublime;
the way Schultz builds up his lines before delivery the
knockout punch of the title is a lesson for any aspiring rock
vocalist out there, yet another great track that deserves
serious radio play. “Can’t Fight The Past” sees the
band slip into more predictable melodic metal waters which
although is a good track doesn’t quite posses the class of its
predecessors, yet there is nothing to really fault here. “Gallery
Of Broken Glass” is a track that takes a few spins to
really hit, the tempo is up with the faster tracks on the
album and whilst the chorus is another stunner the verse is
not quite of the same pedigree, fortunately the chorus makes
up for this slight dip and ultimately will please the majority
of melodic metal connoisseurs. “Rain
Road”
sees the band back on top form with another chorus that will
be stuck in your head for hours, the track is not too far
removed from the best moments of Schulz’s former band Domain,
again strong guitar interplay can be found here. “Mind
Games” is one of the more complex tracks on offer,
beginning with an intricate mix of numerous guitar parts,
keyboard meanderings and drum fills before the track settles
into its super powerful riff which has the ability to
slaughter all in its path. Schulz again directs the track
into its various segments with more harmonised lines and
counter melodies and the track gives you the impression of the
kind of thing Rainbow (Dio era) might be doing if they had
formed 30 years later than they did i.e. epic and classy,
another highlight. “Raging Winds” closes the album in
mid-tempo waters and whilst it’s a strong track in its own
right does suffer slightly from following ‘Mind Games’. Its my
least favourite track on the album most probably due to a
pre-chorus which to these ears doesn’t quite sit at ease with
what’s before it and follows, but there is one of the best
guitar solos on the album here which is nice to hear.
Evidence One have pulled out all the stops for “The Sky Is The
Limit”. Going by what is offer here the band have really found
their niche and have delivered what I suspect will be the
melodic metal album of 2007, its hard to see anyone bettering
it. This is the sound of a band at the top of their game,
enjoying every minute of it yet still possessing a hunger
which spills out of every crevice of this album making this a
true treat for the listener. Whilst a couple of tracks
don't quite possess the calibre of the rest they are by no
means weak, but it does stop me issuing this album a perfect
score. Put simply - Buy it, crank it, love it.
Evidence
One