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After 25 years, Evergrey should be far better known. The concluding chapter of a conceptual trilogy, The Atlantic ranked among the most engaging progressive metal records of 2019. Now the Swedes have returned with a set of tunes written and recorded as the world withdrew from normality. Befitting a lyricist as gifted as frontman Tom S Englund, it poses a series of questions, such as what happens when its titular phoenix, an eternal symbol of rebirth, prefers to remain dead? Evergrey make music that is crisp, accomplished and often polished with a gleaming commercial edge. With luck, maybe Englund’s duet with Dream Theater frontman James LaBrie on The Beholder will introduce them to a few more newbies.

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.

Evergrey’s Escape Of The Phoenix: soaring anthems from prog metal’s most underrated band

Prog metal lifers Evergrey show their class with soaring 11th album Escape Of The Phoenix