𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
July 23 1996 — Nevermore released their second full-length studio album, The Politics of Ecstasy via Century Media Records. (Listen)
The Wells Perspective:
In the case of Nevermore, I could ramble on for hours about the bands greatness. The band have made it into many of my top favorites lists on numerous occasions. I’ve followed them from their inception all the way until their untimely demise. I have been a fan of Warrel Danes vocals from the early beginnings of Sanctuary (featuring Nevermore alumn Warrel Dane, bassist Jim Sheppard; and momentarily, Jeff Loomis), all the way into Dane’s solo releases. But, Politics holds a special place for me because I saw the band for the first time during the tour for the album and I met every single member of the band. Warrel was everything I expected him to be (both, on stage and in person), and more. Meeting one of my two favorite singers (Rob Halford being the other) and my favorite guitarist in one night was a dream come true. It’s a memory that I’ll never forget.
The Politics of Ecstasy was also a sign of what we could expect to see from the bands future releases. Though the band were still very early on in their career, it proved that they were willing to experiment and progress. Though it retained the core sound of the band, it was much heavier than the bands self-title debut (something Warrel had elaborated on in an interview with Viva TV during a show at Zeche in Bochum, Germany on the European tour with Iced Earth).
The bands second full-length album, The Politics Of Ecstasy was graced by a monstrous sound and featured songs that have remained fan favorites, becoming staples in the band's future live sets. In the same interview in 1996 for Viva TV, Warrel also elaborated on the lyrics throughout the album;
“It just refers to how the government controls all of your personal freedoms, everything you do, basically! If you want to do something, there’s always a law either keeping you from doing it or not allowing you to do it. It’s kind of the theme of what’s going on in the songs lyrically. But, it’s not really conceptual!
The album is named after Timothy Leary's book of the same name. The first chapter of the book is titled The Seven Tongues of God, which is the title of the first song on the album.
Considering the history of Leary, I think it’s safe to say that Warrel found the subject of spiritual awakening through psychedelics intriguing.
If you listen well enough, or maybe it’s just me, songs like This Sacrament seem to hold double meanings; one of chaos in a world gone mad, one of finding your own true meaning to life and not relying on organized religion to give you meaning.
Then, there are songs like Next in Line, which like C.B.F. (from their debut), seems to deal with the narcissistic tendencies and self-destructive ways of an addict, in this case, a heroine addict. There is also a spoken word sample in the song from the Adrian Lyne movie Jacob's Ladder.
Then we have songs like the albums title track, which I interpret as being about political corruption, unjust laws, mankind’s sycophantic conformity, and their willingness to be subjugated as long as their basic needs are met, and trivial desires are fulfilled.
Then there is Jeff Loomis! Although his work on Nevermore (S/T) and In Memory were stellar, Politics is where his riffs and skills really began to shine. For we were witnessing the birth of the guitar god he would become, especially on songs like The Seven Tongues of God, This Sacrament, 42147 and the instrumental Precognition. — E.N. Wells
Guitarist Pat O'Brien had joined the band prior to the release of the EP In Memory and also took part in the recording of The Politics of Ecstasy, both from 1996.
O'Brien left Nevermore to play in Cannibal Corpse and Curran Murphy from Shatter Messiah was enlisted as a touring guitarist for the band until Tim Calvert (who played for the band Forbidden) was able to join the band.
Reissue:
In 2006, Nevermore opened their vault, unveiling (then) previously unreleased material to be included as bonus content for the September 5th re-issues of their three early releases: Nevermore, In Memory, and The Politics Of Ecstasy. All three classics were presented with revamped artwork, as well as extended liner notes written by Metal journalist Martin Popoff with contributions from frontman Warrel Dane. All three releases and their bonus content were remastered as well, intensifying the audio experience.
For The Politics of Ecstasy, the band added the classic cover of Judas Priest's Love Bites as well as the video for Next In Line, expanding on this albums masterly work of lyrical cynicism, depressing moods and brilliant musicianship.
The Politics of Ecstasy Tour:
In support of Politics, Nevermore embarked on a North American tour as support for Flotsam and Jetsam who were touring in support of their then-new release, High.
Nevermore also toured Europe with Iced Earth. During the bands run in Germany, they also shared the stage with Incantation, Deeds of Flesh, Avulsed, and Adramelech in May of 1997.
Also in May 1997, both bands swept through Sweden during the European leg of the tour, where they also shared the stage with Enola Gay and Lion’s Share.
As I stated previously, I caught the band at Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit Michigan on Saturday, October 18, 1997 during their US leg of the North American tour with Flotsam and Jetsam, where I had the opportunity to meet all members of Nevermore and got there autographs. — E.N. Wells
Here is the setlist and lineup for the show:
Setlist:
The Seven Tongues of God
This Sacrament
Next in Line
Silent Hedges / Double Dare
Optimist or Pessimist
Sanctuary
The Learning
The Tiananmen Man
Lineup:
Warrel Dane (03/07/1961 - 12/13/2017) - Vocals
Jeff Loomis - Guitar
Tim Calvert (11/07/1965 - 04/30/2018) - Guitar
James Sheppard - Bass
Van Williams - Drums
Notice: Any reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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(𝙴.𝙽. 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚅𝚊𝚗 𝚆𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚖𝚜, 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙶𝚘𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝙴𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚛)
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