Album Review: The Ever Living – Artificial Devices (Self Released)

London-based alternative-metal entity The Ever Living will release their sophomore album, ‘Artificial Devices’, on the 15th of July 2022. ‘Artificial Devices’ was born from burnout and existential dread, but creatively spurred on by resilience in difficult times.

Growing as musicians, stretching their creative muscles, learning just what The Ever Living means to them, The London duo of Chris Bevan Lee (vocalist, keyboards, programming) and Andrei Alan (guitars, bass, programming) showcase something quite special here. An album that blends dissonance and harsh heaviness with melodic and modern detail. Where the challenge never overshadows the feeling and vice versa.

Simply put, The Ever Living have delivered a stunner here and just as importantly, shown just how much they have grown.

Just check out De-Emulate. Up there as one of the album’s best tracks, thanks to a peppy pace, the guttural snarl of the vocals and powerful guitar melodies. The incredible detail in this track means you almost want to have a pen and notepad to take notes as you listen.

The Ever Living’s strength lies in how they make discord sound so ordered. How they flood the mind with emotion and showcase a dark, deep and uncomfortable heaviness. The first track on the album, Omniphorm, is the perfect example of that. Yet it is far from alone. Circadian March, for example, is oozing in atmosphere. Tinged with sci-fi sounding effects, beginning ominously before growing into something quite uplifting sounding. Have you ever seen the movie, Sunshine? This is a track that wouldn’t sound out of place on that soundtrack.

Then there is Ruminance, where horror-infused effects build to a cacophony. The instruments and vocals growing in prominence, until it feels like nothing but darkness remains.

Darkness that emanates from the intense and biting Total Impasse, before the phenomenal beauty of Kronosync rings out. A track with unfathomable depth, where concentrated post-melody meets The Ever Living’s penchant for harsh heaviness. Even before this track, The Ever Living had the ability to make you feel but this one might be the cherry on top.

The satisfaction doesn’t end there though as You’ve Come to the Right Place delves into synthier locales and has some buried secrets here and there. Is that a sound effect from the N64 game Goldeneye? If so, that’s very cool. If not, it really adds something regardless.

Leading to the massive finale of Take Heed, Take Flight. Where The Ever Living throw everything they have shown throughout this album, everything that they have had to offer and then some more into a epic finish. Powerful effects, heartfelt melody, chunky riffs, heavy bass and vocals that cut. It’s such a brilliant ending track.

Though, considering the overall brilliance of the album, that isn’t a surprise. What a step up this is for The Ever Living. Surpassing anything they have done before and developing themselves to such an extent, their seems to be no glass ceiling on their creativity.

The Ever Living – Artificial Devices Full Track Listing:

1. Omniphorm
2. De-Emulate
3. Circadian March
4. Ruminance
5. Total Impasse
6. Kronosync
7. You’ve Come to the Right Place
8. Take Heed, Take Flight

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