AFTER FOREVER – After Forever 15th anniversary [remastered +2] (2022)

Symphonic / melodic metal masters AFTER FOREVER are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their self-titled swansong album “After Forever” (2007), releasing a special re-issue of the album completely re-mastered by Darius van Helfteren & keyboard player Joost Van Den Broek, featuring two rare Japanese bonus tracks. The first is the released as single ‘Sweet Enclosure’, while the second song, the beautiful piano ballad ‘Lonely’.
Formed at the end of the ’90s by the later Epica founder Mark Jansen, the iconic Dutch metal band split up shortly after their eponymous self-titled album “After Forever” was released in 2007.
Van Den Broek went on to become renowned producer for Epica, Blind Guardian and many more, while singer Floor Jansen joined Nightwish and recently the German TV show Sing Meinen Song (Sing My Song). Despite After Forever’s self-titled album coming out prior to the ubiquitousness of streaming, the album has gained over 15 million streams across platforms.
One of the best symphonic metal albums ever recorded, After Forever were ahead of their time, and laid the groundwork for bands yet to come.

In the last decade, powerhouse singer Floor Jansen has become more famous for being the vocals behind Nightwish. This may be now, but prior to this Jansen was the voice behind After Forever and this year has the band celebrating their 15th anniversary of that self-titled album.
To celebrate, they have beautifully remastered ‘After Forever’ to fit perfectly with the advancements in audio technology in the last 15 years. Therefore, not only does ‘After Forever’ sound great, but it will also contain two bonus tracks that were previously only available in Japan in the shape of ‘Sweet Enclosure’ and ‘Lonely’.

The whole thing has been remastered perfectly, sounding incredibly clear while not taking away any of the metallic punch from the original release. That alone makes this album worth the admission. Fifteen years later this is still one of the best symphonic metal albums ever recorded. As far as I’m concerned, After Forever laid the foundation for the genre for years to come.

Already on this album Floor Jansen writes music that matches her passion, whether it be a non-stop slammer piece like Transitory, or something more delicate. Dynamics captivate rather like a cinematic musical, with completely over-the-top orchestration mixed with an authoritative, crushing guitar tone (which the opening song Discord illustrates with gusto).
I cannot even begin to name a symphonic metal album that sounds better than this, and yes, that also includes Nightwish, who have misused Floor’s talents since stealing her. Certainly it’s a commercial album with cascading synthesizers like waterfalls, but that’s all part of the show.

Floor’s best vocal performance is in here, which is saying a lot. It’s some of the best singing I’ve heard in sympho metal, period. The way she hits every note with boisterous aggression is ridiculous. Whether singing “regularly” or with bravado, it all exceeds expectations.”After Forever” is a master class in symphonic metal and must not be forgotten. With endlessly catchy choruses and stunning melodies, this album is hypnotizing from beginning to end.
This 2022 remaster perfectly celebrates the bands 15th anniversary of ‘After Forever’ and fans of this band / album will do well to add it to their collection.
Highly Recommended

01 – Discord
02 – Evoke
03 – Transitory
04 – Energize Me
05 – Equally Destructive
06 – Withering Time
07 – De-Energized
08 – Cry with a Smile
09 – Envision
10 – Who I Am
11 – Dreamflight
12 – Empty Memories
13 – Lonely (Bonus Track)
14 – Sweet Enclosure (Bonus Track)

Floor Jansen – vocals, soprano choir vocals
Sander Gommans – guitars, grunts
Bas Maas – guitars
Luuk van Gerven – bass guitar
Joost van den Broek – keyboards
André Borgman – drums

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www.nuclearblast.com/eu/after-forever-after-forever-cd-306071