Evergrey

Thanks to a substantial back catalogue of strong releases, Evergrey have set up high expectations for each new album — demands the band have little trouble living up to. Monday Morning Apocalypse is intensely soulful, a dynamic exploration of heavy aggression, progressive virtuosity, and haunting melody in a symbiotic relationship with its narrative and vocal passion. Evergrey are equally adept at the hard-hitting rock of songs like "Obedience” and the power ballad emotionality of "The Dark I Walk Through,” infusing even the lightest sounds with a thread of melancholy darkness. But despite that brooding edge and the emotional despondency of the subject matter, Monday Morning Apocalypse is still more empowering than discouraging, a testament to metal’s range and depth.