OneMetal.com REVIEW:
Evergreen Terrace – Almost Home

It’s been a hell of a long time since I have listened to this band, their covers album writers block remained in my playlist for a good number of years. Admittedly I never really got around to checking out much of their original works. Regardless of this Evergreen Terrace sound like a band that knows exactly where they are.

The album takes off with a flying start with the track Enemy Sex, I find it reminds me of early poison the well slightly. From what I recall ET’s earlier offerings had a slightly…cheap demo factor to the mixes… gladly that is gone now and what remains is crisp clean production as only metal blade knows how. Previously the band has stated that they have been largely self produced and never really got too much input from the engineer. This time around a guy referred to simply as Stan was on hand to provide some useful instrumental ideas and also ended up playing bass for the whole album, with ET now being short a bassist following the departure of long time member Joshua Smith.

The band still has that slightly punk feel to some of their material, which I find slightly refreshing and a nice change from the usual barrage of double bass, beat downs and growling vocals. Although if you are after that sort of thing you’ll do well to check out ‘God Rocky, is this your Face’, no prizes for guessing where that sample is from.

Throughout the album ET show their diversity as song writers flawless hopping from brutal onslaughts to melodic sing along verses or even choruses. A personal stand out track for me from this album has been Failure to operate which opens with a very Still Remains like feel using a thick ambient synth and subtle guitar effects which is soon replaced by a brutal beat down verse. The album almost feels like it’s split in two halves, with the start having the more punky and progressive feel, the latter half moves in to a more structured and all together tighter feel, again I get strong hints of still remains, which I’m sure will please many.

Bottom Line

Overall the album feels very comfortable and flows naturally, it gives you a real sense the band have enjoyed making this one, as they have quoted in recent interviews and statements. This is the follow up to their metal blade debut Wolfbiker which was hailed as a step forward for the band, and now it seems the band have found their feet and are up and running at a comfortable pace. Old fans will be more than pleased with the lastest record and new listeners will have plenty to get their teeth into. In all, it’s damn good stuff and well worth your time.