Nevermore by Paul Roland

'A Major Addition To The Roland Catalogue' review by Ian Abrahams

'Nevermore treads some of the musical tones of 'Re-Animator' though it takes its inspirations from different literary areas. The earlier album used the Cthulhu writings of H. P. Lovecraft as a starting pointing for its gothic atmospheres, Nevermore, though it starts with a song that uses Edgar Allan Poe as its touchstone and theme, draws from Jules Verne. There’s a three-track movement, with an overarching title of ‘Last Voyage Of The Nautilus’, which commences with the haunting ‘Captain Nemo’, capturing a wonderful ambience that evokes a chilling and misty launching of the vessel, beautifully observed and composed.

Following the Verne inspired segment, Nevermore gets somewhat heavier in both sound and lyrical content, leading with Roland’s fascination for the back streets and gaslight atmosphere of classic Victoriana. ‘Leatherface’ and ‘Great Deceiver’ are both sinister and stridently unnerving, before ‘Eight Little Whores’ brings the rock levels down again whilst maintaining a baleful vocal delivery. A mention also for the quite lovely ‘Ghost Dance’ where Roland borrows Native American mythology in his lyric and sets them against an engagingly wistful tune.

Nevermore plays out with a traditional tune, ‘Sam Hall’, a real change of pace which some might consider jars just a tad, but the album itself is a major addition to the Roland catalogue.' [Spacerockreviews.blogspot.com]

Painting 'Captain Nemo's Quarters' by Mohammad Bahareth

Tracklist

1.	Edgar Allen Poe	3:54

2.	Captain Nemo	4:38

3.	Last Voyage of the Nautilus	3:34

4.	Wreck of the Nautilus	4:47

5.	Leatherface	4:00

6.	Great Deceiver	5:13

7.	Eight Little Whores	3:36

8.	Ghost Dance	4:18

9.	Abramelin	4:00

10.	Tell-Tale Heart	3:00

11.	Sam Hall	3:16

Credits

released May 5, 2008

License