Forever Never is a band that over the last few years I’ve caught live a heck of a lot of times as they have supported a wide range of bands through the UK. The first time I saw them at the Highbury Garage they struck me as extremely young and rather shaky, but hard touring has honed them into one of the tightest live acts on the new British metal scene, overcoming such pitfalls as a change of drummer, and a potentially fatal tour bus crash when they were opening for Ill Nino last year in their stride and continuing to develop. All this hard work has produced their self titled sophomore album, featuring fourteen tracks, many of which had been honed on the road long before they got into a recording studio.
Opening track, and previously limited edition single, ‘Empty Promises’, sets the style for the band; simple hook laden guitars and bass, piled on top of a drum beat where the sticksman seems intent on displaying his skill with the kick drum with numerous flourishes. All this is a vehicle for singer and lyricist Renny Carroll to lay down a tale of failed relationships and unfaithful lovers, sung with in his distinctive clean sustain. When the solo arrives, it is a surprising laid back, almost prog like progression, managing to marry well with the heavy beat.
Following this up is the faster and heavier ‘Broken Kingdom’, more dark themes blasted out with vocals switching from clean to the angry growl that seems obligatory in any young band, with the guitars firing out a faster riffs, backed up by even more drumming pyrotechnics.
Just about every line in the album tells a tale of broken hearts and mistrust that is somewhat at odds with the sunny live disposition of the band. Live, Forever Never has always seemed more heavy then they do on CD; this may be a result tailoring their playing to the audience of the bands they support. Of course, it could just be the PA’s in the sort of venues I tend to frequent! Their studio work has far more subtlety, with keyboards, acoustic guitars, and synths/strings being added to the mix.
This is undoubtedly a well crafted, produced and played album, guaranteed to appeal to the current crop of new Kerrang fans rather then old thrashers like me. I’ve no doubt, with the quality of their product, and their hardworking live ethic, Forever Never has built solidly on their first work, and will continue to gather fans aplenty.
http://www.myspace.com/forevernever
http://www.forevernever.com
