The fourth in a list of solid releases from Nevermore, Dead Heart in a Dead World is possibly the group's most accomplished recording.

For the first time, Jeff Loomis handles all the guitar duties himself, giving the disc a musical continuity that was sometimes lacking on prior efforts.

Nevermore co-founder Warrel Dane (vocals), Jim Sheppard (bass), and Van Williams (drums) join Loomis on this 2000 Century Media offering.

All four members demonstrate great command of their instruments, but Loomis' guitar playing stands out.

Bold and inventive, the combination of nu-metal and '80s golden-era metal riffing propels Dead Heart in a Dead World and Nevermore ahead of the American indie metal pack.

"The River Dragon Has Come" and "We Disintegrate" are just two superior examples of Loomis' dissonant, detuned grooves.

Dane's moaning almost sinks mellower numbers like "Insignificant" and the title track, but Loomis provides the buoyancy these otherwise dull songs need to become listenable -- in fact, they're almost interesting.

The members of Nevermore were always ready to challenge themselves, and Dead Heart in a Dead World confirms the wisdom of that ethic through the realization of the band's massive potential.