Evermore – Mournbraid

Evermore
Mournbraid
Label: Scarlet Records
Out: 20. März 2026
Playing Time 51:46

The third record for the Swedish masters of power metal, “Mournbraid” delivers the trademark Evermore sound made of aggressive guitar riffs, soaring epic vocals and unforgettable strong hooks – all amplified by a massive, neat production. 

Evermore were founded in 2016. However, the EP ‘Northern Cross’ was not released until 2020. The debut album ‘Court of the Tyrant King’ was released one year later, followed by ‘In Memoriam’ two years after that. It took another three years for the third album, ‘Mournbraid’, to be released. All three albums were recorded by the current line-up.

The album kicks off with the epic intro ‘The Void’. This goes straight into the smash hit ‘Underdark’. High Metal screams, banging riffs and driving, booming drums dominate. Johan Haraldsson’s vocals are also in the high tone range. A real heat-up. ‘Nightstar Odyssey’ is calmer. The string orchestration adds a lot of epicness. The catchy chorus is also calm but is underpinned by fast drumming. Later, the guitars also pick up speed. On ‘Titans’, the musicians are driven forward from the start by drummer Andreas Viklands. But there are also moments to catch your breath, e.g. during the very melodic guitar solo. After the orchestration at the beginning, we hear a strong Power Metal anthem with ‘Oath Of Apathy’. The vocals are in the lower range in places, but Johan Haraldsson doesn’t want to do without the high notes here either. The choir singing in the refrain is the crowning glory. With ‘The Illusionist (Raise The Curtain)’, the band switches back to high-speed mode. With a strong guitar solo at hardly reduced tempo. There are also high screams in the banger ‘Armored Will’. The orchestration provides catchy melodies. In keeping with the song title ‘Ravens At The Gates’, the cry of a raven can be heard at the beginning. Then it gets sweaty again. Nothing changes with ‘Mournbraid’. It’s as if Evermore can’t slow down. Oh yes, they can. As they demonstrate in the piano ballad ‘Old Man’s Tale’. Later, strings are also added discreetly. It’s actually a shame that this is ‘only’ a bonus track. Such an extremely contemplative track should really be an integral part of this album.

On ‘Mournbraid’, all three musicians work extremely hard, as Evermore mostly play at a fast tempo. The bonus ballad at the end is a real treat. But the anthem ‘Oath Of Apathy’ also provides a little variety. And, of course, the many quieter passages that have been incorporated into the individual songs. Nevertheless, it would be nice if the musicians slowed down a little more often. Then an even better rating would be possible.

Evermore – The Illusionist (Raise The Curtain): https://youtu.be/Qg9-b-gIWt4?si=7dVjALHa65wgnI45

Lineup:

Johan Haraldsson – Vocals
Johan Karlsson – Guitar, Bass, Piano, Orchestrations
Andreas Viklands – Drums

Titelliste:

• The Void
• Underdark
• Nightstar Odyssey
• Titans
• Oath Of Apathy
• The Illusionist (Raise The Curtain)
• Armored Will
• Ravens At The Gates
• Mournbraid
• Old Man’s Tale (bonus track):