I first got dragged into the world of UK band Forlorn Hope via the live arena (always a good sign) and their thoroughly enjoyable live performances. Sadly being ‘between live drummers’ those are currently curtailed but following on from their last two singles ‘The Bitter End’ and the still spine tingling ‘Redcoat’ which really showed that they had upped the game from their debut album (a fine debut itself, mind) this is the first of a couple of planned Eps. They play, I guess, a kind of power metal but with a sound far close to traditional heavy metal than air raid sirens and dragons (again nowt wrong with those either) but with that power metal melodic feel. They are also military history obsessives with a keen eye for the realities of war and the political implications (again check out Redcoat for a clear eyed view of the history of the British Army during Imperial days). Ok clear?
Right. The EP. Every track has a story of valour of one kind or another, each one will be available on release so I won’t go into them much here. But suffice to say a couple you may know, a couple you probably won’t.
‘The Fusilier’ with militaristic drumming and an immediate rising melody on the riffs is pretty much what you get with Forlorn Hope. Hooks, impassioned vocals and lyrics that truly paint the scene for you. This one is a tale from the Crimean War, an Irishman named Luke O’Connor and one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross. The song has a rich, smoke filled feel and just such a deep melodic hook. It treads that line between earthy metal and the bombastic, never toppling over into ostentation which is not just a tricky act but keeps the entire sound grounded in the dirt. ‘Down In Flames’ opens the throttle from the off, engines rattling as it soars skyward, a tale of the Battle Of Britain. It simply blazes its way through. Chris Simpson’s vocals here, always distinctive, are excellent and honestly you’re just swept up into the hurtling insanity of air combat here. The guitars from Alex Bishop just shred here like bullets through the fuselage and with the racing, rattling rhythm section of John Roughly (bass) and Danny Kelly (drums) powering it, we have an absolute banger, as the kids apparently say.
‘Ullysses 1915’ is a more ominous song. Heavy pounding drums, and a sombre vocal tone matched by the riff, they unfold a more obscure part of the horrendous Gallipoli landings in WW1. Forlorn Hope have this knack of pulling you in with the music but the lyrics, so clearly sung, absolutely rivet you. ‘Greater Love Hath No Man’ is a story from the Somme, and just the most exquisite instrumental. It has a bitter-sweetness to it, a hint of Irish Folk to it as befits its central hero, a heroic loss in a senseless slaughter. ‘The Last Ride’ suitably ends it. This is a gallop in all senses, the riff has the rhythm of a frantic chase, and it is just a superb ride indeed. Subject wise, for me it questions the balance between bravery and the foolishness that arrogant monolithic Empires can conjure from serving soldiers.
Forlorn Hope manage the almost impossible of a measured approach in every song here; what could have been a gung-ho Boy’s Own adventure is instead grounded in loss and sorrow and indeed anger at times without underplaying the heroism displayed. It’s a tricky thing I admit and not for some but if history interests you then you should love this as should anyone who loves heavy metal.
Without a doubt this just shows what a powerhouse of song-writing this unassuming band have become. Energy, emotion, performance and an increasingly sure touch for writing this is a real step on for the band. So great to see,
(8/10 Gizmo)
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