"I have decided to keep this tape recorder with me at all times. Just so that I maybe one day can explain all the strange things happening to me. The lack of sleep...the loss of time. But most of all, the sensation of never being lonely...always being watched..."

Thus begins Evergrey's third studio album, In Search Of Truth. Creepy? Hell yes! But this premonition of unspeakable horrors is nothing compared to the ominous experience the next 45 minutes will bring to your enchanted (or perhaps I should say "stimulated"?) senses.

Evergrey has been endowed with many labels: "gothic metal", "dark melodic metal", "gloomy progressive metal", and many other variations of "darkness" and "depression". I prefer their own definition: "morose metal". Not only does "morose" sound better (I'm a sucka for non-standard adjectives), it also hints at the presence of evil that can be found throughout Evergrey's topic matter.

In the case of In Search Of Truth, evil is what is gnawing at our poor soul with tape recorder in hand. A conceptual album conceived and written by founder/vocalist/guitarist Tom S. Englund, In Search Of Truth explores a series of events involving our tortured victim and the wicked beasts that are playing with his mind. Who are these monstrosities? ...Aliens...

Borrowing heavily from science fiction stories involving extra-terrestials and their manipulations of mankind, In Search Of Truth describes a realm where "blood runs cold" and "visitors by night" create a "living nightmare". Voicing the desperate thoughts of a man who believes otherworldly beings have taken control of his mind, Englund tells a non-linear story of conspiracy and domination.

But the concept isn't even the highlight of this album! Band mates Tom Englund [vocals and guitars], Patrick Carlsson [drums and percussion], Michael Hakansson [bass], Sven Karlsson [keyboards], and Henrik Danhage [guitars] have taken a dark metallic base and transformed it into some of the most unique, gloomy, and beautiful compositions I've ever heard from a metal band (or any genre for that matter).

Much like the monikor "morose metal" sounds, Evergrey plays music that is at times melancholy, and yet at others very dark and heavy. While I'm unlearned in the arts of gothic metal, my understanding is that the similarities between goth and Evergrey's style are close. How close, I can't say. To my ears, In Search Of Truth feels about as heavy as Iced Earth's Something Wicked This Way Comes (except that Englund is nowhere near as harsh as Iced Earth's Matthew Barlow), though it is closer to Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime in structure and emotional depth.

The distinguishing factor of In Search Of Truth, however, lies within singer Tom Englund and keyboardist Sven Karlsson.

I've been having a difficult time relating Englund's vocals to another singer, so the best I can come up with is to imagine Creed's Scott Stapp with a higher range and more emotion. This guy is fantastic. Not only can he growl with the best of the lords of metal (in Rulers Of The Mind, listen closely to the "Formed and shaped like clay" passage), his ability to stab into your heartstrings with his expressive pipes is nearly without equal (solo artist D.C. Cooper is also able to pull of this feat, though he sounds nothing like Englund). The track Different Worlds showcases Englund's complete vocal ability.

Adding to the crunchy atmosphere served up by Englund and Danhage is Sven's keyboards. While he rarely takes the forefront in the melodies, Sven gives In Search Of Truth a mysterious, "aliens are all around you" quality that mixes freaky X-Files-like moods with throbbing rhythmetic chords and counterpoint. If you've heard Stratovarius' The Kiss Of Judas, with Jens Johansson's furious harpsichord background, then you'll understand my description of Sven's style. Check out Mark Of The Triangle for a perfect example of Sven's skillful keys.

The guitar duo of Englund and Danhage drives In Search Of Truth. Neither of them try to outplay the rest of the band (no Yngwie Malmsteemisms to be found here), and are comfortable in creating the harmonies needed to accompany the vocals. For the most part, the guitars create a dark, crunchy sound that I feel accurately conveys the morbid actions of the aliens. Excellent guitar highlights can be found in the solo sections of Watching The Skies and The Encounter.

Everything meshes together to produce a stellar album of stirring tunes and fascinating concept. None of the tracks seem weak or misplaced, and the musicianship of the band never fails to draw your ear in. I've seen many positive reviews of In Search Of Truth, including this one from Frode Johnsrud of Metal Express:

"Evergrey is set for world domination, and they have just released their 'Operation:Mindcrime'".

Is In Search Of Truth comparable to Queensryche's defining album? Perhaps, but I have no doubt that Evergrey is helping to lead the way for intelligent metal.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving