Up-Load UK, Gigs News & reviews Forever Never, Aporia

Aporia by Forever Never

Released March 2006 by

Produced by Dave Chang

Move over Metallica, So long Sevendust., Dio-Who? Forever Never
have burst onto the scene with APORIA. And it WILL shake the very foundation
of Metal as we know it. Renny Carroll's immense vocals over the fantastic
bass lines of Kev Yates, the melodic riffs from Sam Machin and George Lennox
and the drumming skills that Lars Ulrich only DREAMS of having from Mike Row
make this album one for the collection. No scratch that, it makes the only
metal CD you'll ever need. Period.

The album is basically twelve tracks of everything metal should have been,
one after the other. There is not a bad track on this album. Not a single
title I want to skip. Not a beat that makes you think "Oh.. that shouldn't
be there.." The lyrics are top class writing laden with hidden meanings and
things to make you think hard.

The title track to the album 'Aporia' gets the party rolling with a heavy
line leading into a scream of "go" (how appropriate) from Renny and then
everything comes together to make a track that really sums up what Forever
Never are. The heaviness soon fades into a fast bass line which is the
backing to the track throughout as the unmistakable voice of Renny begins to
unleash its first real torrent onto the listener. And as soon as it changes
from the heavier vocals to the softer its almost hard to believe that its
the same person. This track really does set the pace and tone for the rest
of the CD and is a brilliant choice of opener.

'This World' starts in much the same way, with a lead in from guitar until
the bass kicks in at the back, followed by the drumming from Mike and then..
it slows into the guitar riff for just a second, and then explodes through
the speakers. Another fast, powerful and subtle track. Punches you in the
ears and then strokes them back to health with the vocal switching that we
we're introduced to in the first track, only to slap them again as the next
verse kicks in. Brilliant metal.

The next track however, 'Better the Epic'. is pure unbridled metal
throughout. The track opens with a scream Dani Filth would be proud of, and
never stops. Its hard, its heavy, and I dare any mosh pit to stand still
with this rocking out. It really is that damn good. This is metal.

'Never' is a sudden change from 'Better the Epic' however, although the
start is heavy as you'd expect (and fast, no real intro) it slowly lowers
itself to the melodic style of most Forever Never choruses (after the heavy
verse of course) and explodes out with a message about regret that most
people could take into account. Strong, melodic, beautiful.

'0707' is a lot like 'Never' in pace and style, but a very different track
in its own right. We get an intro that would have even the most hip-hop
gangster bouncing in a pit, and then get our dose of metal. They dare 'them'
to take over, and do it themselves with this track that I just cant help but
sing along too. A fantastic chorus, perfect verses and brilliant drumming
via Mike. The bass riff's are subtle under the guitars but makes itself
known, letting Sam and George take the reigns.

Track six is 'As I Lie' which is the first Forever Never track I heard,
and what captivated me to this amazing band. The intro is a fantastic
display of talent, and then the change of pace shows real mastery of the
instruments. Renny starts off softer unlike usual and grows heavier as the
song progresses. This song is well worth getting the album for alone. The
words are poetry deserving of the penmanship award. The music is just the
perfect compliment to the lyrics.

'Scared to Scarred' is one of the first tracks that stood out to me on my
first play through of 'Aporia.' At first just due to the odd title, and then
the lyrics really got to me. This track is a fine tribute to the SI
community and the blend of vocals and hard hitting lines make this one of
the top three tracks of the album without a doubt. If you only hear one song
from this album, make it As I lie, if you hear two, then make it this one as
well.

'New Arrival' is the teaser track they posted on their Myspace not long
after it was announced the album was complete, and the one that had me on
the edge of my seat for weeks. (until I got the CD from them for Christmas,
I almost had to wait MONTHS) This is another that starts easy and stays that
way. Very little hard vocals to it, and it works so well. I don't think the
track would have the same effect with any more scream. Everything about this
track works with everything else, flawless.

Ah now we get to 'Reversal' the last of my top three. A song which depicts
the way things change for everyone no matter if we want it to or not. Or at
least in my opinion. A beautiful slow track that anyone with half a heart
would find absolutely beautiful. This track has so much forum signature ammo
in it that I wouldn't be surprised one day to see lines from this song
everywhere on their website.

'Saviour?' brings us back to the heavy metal, after the little break we
got during the last two tracks, and is well worth it. This track narrowly
missed a top three slot (because I'm a sucker for Reversal) This track is
very Sevendust, but with the distinctive Forever Never kick. This track is
another that really defines Forever Never's style and is a perfect set up
for..

'Drowning.' The flawless intro to this track, a war between the guitars
and the drums which seems to have no clear winner, leading into a brutal
vocal line from Renny. A fantastic pit mover and a sure fire way to rial up
any crowd. I'd say the perfect live opener, to get the crowd pumping.

And finally track twelve. 'Silent Elegy to the Living.' This track is the
perfect, mellow, slow, chilled, finish to the album. The lyrics are
perfectly met with the music and the pace is a brilliant way to drag out the
end after 'Drowning.' The lyrics are subtle and with many meanings hidden, I
myself thing their are at least three. But again thats my opinion. This is
the way all albums should come to a close. 'Aporia' starts hard and finishes
with a relaxed tone to it. (Well.. as relaxed as this brilliant metal could
be)

With that said, 'Aporia' is a ten-ten album. The band are fantastic and
set to destroy what you knew metal to be. I strongly suggest buying this
album in March, and a few for your friends. Don't ask me to pick a song
above all of them, because they all rock hard and melt your face. Also don't
ask me what the album title means. As I have no idea.