EVERGREY's latest release is being heralded as a return to form in some parts after an apparent change of style on their last outing. I say apparent because this album actually marks my starting point with the Swedish band and whilst "Torn" is certainly listenable and in some parts enjoyable the lasting appeal of this album is questionable as it lacks at least a couple of really killer tracks to make me return time and again.

To be fair, "Torn" does have it's moments, although none are that many degrees better than the rest. "Soaked" impressed but perhaps because I found it the albums most accessible track. "In Confidence" too, whilst towards the heavier end of their "dark melodic metal" scale, also showed well and almost inevitably the title track marked far and away the albums most stirring moment. Other than these three pieces though I struggle to find stand-out tracks. Elsewhere there's a guitar break here, a certain sequence there, but unfortunately as songs very little is sticking. Far from familiarity bringing out the nuances of each and making something memorable, instead songs are merging. A lack of variation making it hard to differentiate between tracks without the aid of the disc players digital read out and the track listing.

I've lived with this disc longer than many but sadly now I'm marking this down as one for an occasional listen only. An album for the already converted maybe, but certainly not a release that will stick on my playlist for long or lead me to investigate earlier albums.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.evergrey.net

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