After Forever
After Forever bring their different strengths together convincingly on this self-titled 2007 album. They can play heavy, direct metal, introduce grand orchestral arrangements and change a song considerably along the way. Yet the focus generally remains clear: strong singing and compositions that offer more than an impressive sound. Floor Jansen takes a leading role without reducing the instruments to backing musicians.
Discord opens with firm rhythms and plenty of tension. The keyboards increase its scale, but the guitars keep the foundations heavy. In Transitory, the interrupted riffs make the rhythm even more prominent. Their interaction with Jansen's powerful voice prevents the technical side from feeling distant. Her rock delivery gets plenty of space, with operatic touches appearing where the music needs them.
Energize Me then shows how well the band can handle a compact shape. The chorus arrives quickly and stays with you easily. That direct writing provides a strong partner for the more elaborate pieces. Cry with a Smile and Empty Memories also have a clear role: the quieter moments give the singing room and keep the album from relying entirely on grand gestures.
The longest track, Dreamflight, asks for considerably more attention. Its sections move between heavy guitar work, symphonic passages and prominent keyboards. It demonstrates the abilities of this lineup particularly well because the transitions remain part of the composition. The musicians cover plenty of ground without losing their grip on the song.
Listeners with little appetite for bombast will probably remain unconvinced. However, the album uses its scale especially well. The short songs have their own appeal and the longer pieces offer enough development. After Forever feels like a confident collection of strong ideas that have actually become strong songs.
