AFTER FOREVER

Aggressive, haunting symponic metal.

I first heard this a few days ago and have been playing it obsessively since then. A fantastic symphonic metal band headed by the awesome vocal talents of Floor Jansen. It does sound similar to Nightwish though not as operatic and the orchestration reminds me of Epica or Within Temptation. However, After Forever stand their ground as taking an original approach to their sound. Each track has a different feel and atmosphere. At times beautiful and haunting, and at other times brutally aggressive.

My favourite track is 'Equally Destructive' that has one of the best chunky metal riffs on the CD. It begins with the mesmirizing riff and the chorus builds to a grand operatic scale. The epic is the 11 minute Dreamflight with many time changes and very good guitar from Bas Maas throughout. At times there are soundscapes that seem to flow like a stream and they are broken by grand blasts of metal guitars.

I recommend this for those who like their prog heavy, laced with strings and quiet moments. The vocals from Jansen are floorless (no pun intended) and there are some trademark growelling vocals from other members to balance the tones of light and shade.

4 stars without hesitation.

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Posted Tuesday, July 14, 2009 | Review this album | Report (Review #226766)

The final release by After Forever is perhaps the least distinctive in their catalogue. Almost gone are brutal death and blac metal vocals and composition parts that balanced female clean vocals. The songs are also most accessible. What is also true is that the group had simplified the songwriti ... (read more)

Report this review (#2055108) | Posted by sgtpepper | Monday, November 12, 2018 | Review Permanlink

Last official record of the Dutch "After Forever" that began in the "Gothic Metal", flirted with the "Prog Metal" and followed a variation between the "Heavy" and "Prog." With an omega on its cover may already be the sign of the inevitable demise of the band. An unprecedented event for the band wa ... (read more)

Report this review (#759184) | Posted by Vobiscum | Saturday, May 26, 2012 | Review Permanlink

After Forever are a Dutch metal band currently signed with Nuclear Blast records. After Forever is their fifth album and anyone who hasn't heard this album should pick it up. Departing from the more operatic approach that most female fronted bands use, Floor Jansen sings with a melodic but str ... (read more)

Report this review (#376072) | Posted by usa prog music | Friday, January 7, 2011 | Review Permanlink

Right under my review is my brother's review, so read his as well (on the page of this album obviosuly) Well basically, I love this album, it's just one of the most perfect symphonic metal albums (well orchestral metal, although this band does have it's moments). This is one of the best albums o ... (read more)

Report this review (#295797) | Posted by arcane-beautiful | Sunday, August 22, 2010 | Review Permanlink

Well, this is my first review so ill make it simple, i love this band, so very much.. bt before i get all fanboy..ish ill do a review After Forever was a Dutch Symphonic metal band that featured metal godess Floor Jansen (not really to sure if she's anything to Mark Jansen from Epica, he once w ... (read more)

Report this review (#281807) | Posted by FarBeyondProg | Thursday, May 13, 2010 | Review Permanlink

I gave 5 stars to decipher, and I stand by that rating, but I rate this one higher. If decipher were 4.6 stars, this is 4.8. Quite frankly, this is my favorite symphonic metal album, edging past anything by nightwish, trumping anything by within temptation and epica by a long shot, and heck, it' ... (read more)

Report this review (#205863) | Posted by Nuke | Monday, March 9, 2009 | Review Permanlink

Although not really proggy, After Forever do have some progressive influences, this is mainly due to the recruitment of keyboard player Joost Van Der Broek for the past 2 albums, Joost's previous band was Sun Caged (a highly skilled prog metal band but somehow a bit un-original) and his influence ... (read more)

Report this review (#160593) | Posted by Moonshield | Saturday, February 2, 2008 | Review Permanlink

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