Forever Never - Empty Promises (4/5)

01. Intro 1:24 02. Empty Promises 5:05 03. Break The Trend 4:04 04. Thanks For Letting Me Know 4:31 05. Empty Promises (Video Edit) 4:08

Forever Never describe themselves as having ‘a sound that bridges the gap between “underground” and “mainstream” scenes; a sound that is both beautiful, and brutal.’ The cover of last year’s self-titled second album showed a peaceful waterfall in the midst of a green valley, with an grim industrial cityscape lurking in the water’s reflection. Trying to show your musical philosophy through an arty, symbolic CD cover, lads? I like it.

This juxtaposition that the Essex metallers pride themselves upon is true of ‘Empty Promises’, the first single from that pretentious (just kidding) album. A mysterious ambience and some splodgy sounds herald the arrival of the title track, opening with a sublime vocal harmony courtesy of superbly-toned vocalist Renny Carroll. Then kicks in a deliciously time change-laden riff which continues behind sorrowful yet soulful lyrics; ‘I’ve had enough of your empty promises / Don’t blame yourself, it was my mistake for listening.’ He’s been hurt. The mournful chuggery continues after the second chorus, sometimes sounding too bland and tuneless without vocals, but thankfully there are chiming notes and a palpable guitar solo to distract from where things are lacking.

‘Break The Trend’, also taken from the record, seems to be following a similar formula until some unfamiliar vocals erupt in a suitably ferocious metal fashion. Is that a new singer? No, it’s Carroll living up to the beautiful-and-brutal mission statement. B-side ‘Thanks For Letting Me Know’ is more straightforward in terms of rhythm and structure - as straightforward as this kind of music gets anyway - but still has the charisma and hard-to-play guitar bits embodied in the previous two tracks, as well as the seminal twin-guitar break.

After the recent recent wave of American heavy metal, let us be thankful that the rainy old British Isles are still producing homegrown talent that stands up to any of our transatlantic cousins’ down-tuned offerings, and has way more show-offy album covers to boot.

Empty Promises is avalible to download at Play.com

Genre : Metal
For fans of : Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage

Article by Andy McDonald