Histor… Read Full Bio ↴Evergrey is a Swedish progressive metal band from Gothenburg.
History
Evergrey was formed in 1993 in Gothenburg by guitarist/vocalist Tom S. Englund as a progressive power metal band, in contrast to the melodic death metal that Gothenburg is known for. Since then, the band's lyrics have always been of the darker sort, and the same can be said of the band's imagery. After finding a stable lineup, The Dark Discovery was recorded in 1996 and released in 1998, and Solitude, Dominance, Tragedy was recorded and released in 1999. While those two albums dealt with a variety of ideas, In Search of Truth (2001) and Recreation Day (2003) are concept albums, the latter album dealing with issues such as contemplating suicide ("As I Lie Here Bleeding"), mourners after a funeral ("I'm Sorry", a cover of Dilba Demirbag's hit), and dying people looking back on their "unforgivable" sins ("Unforgivable"). "Unforgivable" also acted as a catalyst for the next album, The Inner Circle (2004), which expanded on the issues described in the song: cults, religion and child abuse.
On 4 April 2006, Evergrey released their sixth studio album, Monday Morning Apocalypse. It debuted at No. 6 in Sweden.
Later that year, Evergrey played at many festivals throughout Europe: among others, Sweden Rock Festival, Download Festival, Arvika Festival, Masters of Rock, Storsjöyran and Sziget Festival. From 5 to 30 May, the band toured the United States with In Flames, Nevermore and Throwdown. On 15 September, they headlined Prog Power VII in Atlanta, Georgia.
On 24 October 2006, Evergrey started a new European tour. They were supported by fellow Swedish death metal band Avatar, and they visited Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Sweden.
Evergrey released their seventh studio album, Torn, in September 2008, continuing with their trademark lyrical themes of desperation and despair. Jari Kainulainen permanently filled the role on 6 August 2007, who also played bass on Torn.
On 8 May 2008, Evergrey announced that they had signed a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. This included the release of their new album and the entire back catalogue. It also was announced that the new album, Torn, would be released early in September 2008. As the deal includes the band's entire back catalog, there is the possibility of re-releases of previous Evergrey albums with the inclusion of added bonus material.
In July 2008, Swedish/Danish band Amaranthe announced that keyboardist Rikard Zander, along with In Flames bassist Peter Iwers, would make a guest appearance on their upcoming album.
In May 2010, it was announced that Jonas Ekdahl, Henrik Danhage and Jari Kainulainen have all left Evergrey by mutual decision because of problems with the band members interacting with each other. They called it quits as to not ruin the friendship they all have with each other.
An article posted on 13 November 2010 on Evergrey's blog contained dates for upcoming concerts as well as the confirmation of a new album titled Glorious Collision on 28 February 2011.
Via Facebook posts in November 2013, while writing the next Evergrey album due for release in 2014, the band first confirmed that drummer Hannes Van Dahl would be leaving the band to join Sabaton full-time, and then due to "problems working together" guitarist Marcus Jidell would also be leaving.
In August 2014, the release of the music video for "King of Errors" from the forthcoming Hymns for the Broken revealed that Henrik Danhage and Jonas Ekdahl had returned to the band. Hymns for the Broken was released in September 2014. The band released two more albums after that, The Storm Within in 2016 and The Atlantic in 2019. Those three albums were mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and form a conceptual trilogy.
Evergrey's twelfth studio album, Escape of the Phoenix, was released on 26 February 2021.
On 26 August 2021 Evergrey announced they signed a new deal with Napalm Records and are already working on a new album.
On 24 February 2022 Evergrey announced the release of their thirteenth studio album, A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament), which was released on Napalm Records on 20 May 2022.
On 23 October 2023 Evergrey announced the release of From Dark Discoveries To Heartless Portraits, a compilation album to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the band's formation, released on 15 December 2023.
On April 12th, 2024, the band released a new single, "Falling from the Sun", coinciding with the announcement of their newest album Theories of Emptiness, which released on June 7th, 2024. On May 15th, it was announced that drummer Jonas Ekdahl would be stepping down as drummer for the band due to having more interest in production and mixing than drumming. Simen Sandnes joined as drummer.
Albums
The Dark Discovery (1998)
Solitude, Dominance, Tragedy (1999)
In Search of Truth (2001)
Recreation Day (2003)
The Inner Circle (2004)
Monday Morning Apocalypse (2006)
Torn (2008)
Glorious Collision (2011)
Hymns for the Broken (2014)
The Storm Within (2016)
The Atlantic (2019)
Escape Of The Phoenix (2021)
A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament) (2022)
Theories of Emptiness (2024)
The Masterplan
Evergrey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And tell me if there's something
Strange you see
Am I special - something's wrong
- can't be the only one
Talk to me stare me in the eyes
And say you know it too
It really doesn't matter
The truth
We are all a part of
Forced to live within
A conspiracy for ages
The masterplan
Tell you about my theory
Cleanse myself from secrecy
Prove it's not all fantasies
All to live in decency
My quest for answers
The truth of what lies behind
The search is over
And I'm in shock of what I've found
We are all a part of
Forced to live within
A conspiracy for ages
The masterplan
[solo danhage / englund]
We are all a part of
Forced to live within
A conspiracy for ages
The masterplan
[solo danhage]
The song "The Masterplan" by Evergrey is a reflection on the existential confusion and the search for truth that many people go through. The lyrics suggest that there is something strange or different about the singer, and that they are not alone in their search for answers. The conspiracy referred to is not a specific plot or scheme, but rather the general sense that there is something hidden or obscured about the world we live in.
Throughout the song, the singer implores others to look at them and acknowledge the strangeness they feel within themselves. The repetition of the phrase "we are all a part of" suggests that there is a shared experience of confusion and uncertainty that we all go through. The singer's quest for answers is not just a personal journey, but one that has the potential to lead to greater understanding for all.
The guitar solos towards the end of the song provide a musical representation of the intensity of this inner turmoil and the catharsis that comes with uncovering the truth. Overall, "The Masterplan" is a poignant reminder of the complexity of the human experience and the importance of seeking truth and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Pay close attention to me
And tell me if there's something
Inform me if you sense anything unusual
Strange you see
Something that appears odd or unfamiliar
Am I special - something's wrong
Is there something exceptional about me that is problematic
- can't be the only one
There must be others facing similar issues
Talk to me stare me in the eyes
Communicate with me, making eye contact
And say you know it too
Acknowledge that you understand the same thing
It really doesn't matter
It is unimportant
I know your fear - seen it all
I am aware of your anxiety, having experienced it myself
The truth
The reality that must be confronted
We are all a part of
We are all included in
Forced to live within
Obliged to exist within
A conspiracy for ages
A secret plot that has lasted for years
The masterplan
The overarching strategy that controls everything
Tell you about my theory
Explain my hypothesis to you
Cleanse myself from secrecy
Remove the veil of secrecy from myself
Prove it's not all fantasies
Provide evidence that it is not pure imagination
All to live in decency
All for the sake of living righteously
My quest for answers
My search for the truth
The truth of what lies behind
The reality of what is concealed
The search is over
The inquiry has ended
And I'm in shock of what I've found
And I am astounded by what I have discovered
We are all a part of
We are all included in
Forced to live within
Obliged to exist within
A conspiracy for ages
A secret plot that has lasted for years
The masterplan
The overarching strategy that controls everything
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HENRIK DANHAGE, MICHAEL CARL HAKANSSON, PATRIK CARLSSON, TOMAS ENGLUND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HipHopAn0n
Amazing song, still coming back after many years
@jarilindroos8831
Hope to hear this one live tonight here in STHLM Just like i did almost 20 yrs ago.🖤💛🤘
@TheMetalrock666
what an incredible title, masterpiece, and a clip as powerful as the song🤘🤘🤘
@secreticelandprod
this song/video is awesome. favorite band ever
@leocan6399
2:35 - 3:38 the best part ever 💥
@BoM45
great song. great album
@Mandilore89
Tell your father I thank him for being in my most favorite metal band and on my most favorite album (In Search of Truth) and kicking ass doing it!
@JJ-vg9du
What a drummer!!!!!
@jarilindroos8831
Yes he was! Patrik Karlsson.
@jarilindroos8831
Remember when i saw this on MTV first time and i was sold. This was back then, kids, when MTV was just Music TV...