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Forlorn Hope – Over The Hills
Self-Released
Release Date 26/07/2019
Running Time: 49:00
Review by Tsarina Wilson
10/10
I happen to come across Forlorn Hope on a certain social network site and was instantly hooked so when I had the opportunity to review the album “Over The Hills” I jumped at it. I couldn’t wait to hear the entire album and I was not disappointed. In fact, I haven’t stopped listening to it since.
The five-piece metal band from Merseyside combines history and metal with amazing results. The band members consist of Chris Simpson on vocals/rhythm guitars, Alexander Bishop on lead guitar/additional vocals, Jade Mckenna on keyboards, Danny Kell on drums and John Roughly on bass guitar and together they are out of this world.
Ok I have to say, as a fan of the drama series Sharpe, if they ever did a stage play these guys would have to do the music as they would blow the roof off. Chris has a turbo voice and an immense range which can go from pure rock with songs like ‘Rifles’ and ‘War in the Shadows’ to one of my favourites ‘Over The Hills and Far Away’. And not only are the guitar riffs powerful, the drumming is enough to make even the listener shattered, let alone poor Danny who plays them.
This is Forlorn Hope’s debut album and is a collection of stories of horror and heroism from the Peninsular War of 1807-1814. Chris remarks about the album: “This is a blazing, heavy metal tribute to one of the most fascinating chapters in military history, it represents the realisation of a concept several years in the making and the culmination of countless hours of work To see it finally complete is an absolute joy” and I can understand why.
Each song gives an account of a different part of the war, and maybe if this is how they taught it in schools, history would be much more fun. ‘Badajoz’ slows things down for a bit, but not for long as two minutes in and we are back to metal riffs united with crazy drumming. It’s so intense, you will be breathless.
In March 2018, Forlorn Hope released their self-titled debut EP, and throughout that year the band played a series of stand out sets, performing at the “Northern Symphony Festival” and in the Merseyside heat of the national Metal 2 The Masses competition. The quintet also went on to support NWOBHM legends and Swedish symphonic heavyweights “Eleine.
There is so much going on in this album. ‘Man Of Secrets, Man Of War’ shows just what varied vocals Chris’s voice can achieve. Jade’s keyboard throughout is such a powerful bonus and adds just that little something else to the mix and the track ‘Over The Hills and Far Away’ proves this.
The final track ‘Forlorn Hope’ is a stomping track and I was sad it was the last song, I could have just carried on listening for hours. These guys are talented, giving metal a whole new direction and have been an absolute joy to listen to and review.
Their music is infectious, and you will want to hear more.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Introduction
02. Vive L’Empereur
03. Rifles
04. Talavera
05. War In The Shadows
06. The Eagle Hunters
07. Die Hard
08. Badajoz
09. Man Of Secrets, Man Of Honour
10. Masterstrike
11. Vitoria
12. Over The Hills And Far Away
13. Forlorn Hope
LINKS:
https://forlornhope.uk/home
https://facebook.com/OfficalForlornHope/
https://twitter.comForlornHopeBand
https://Instagram.com/ForlornHopeBand/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsBDf-Mu7bo0NcsYE1ebeXw
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Tsarina Wilson and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of [user_login] and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.