Band : Forever Never
Album title : Aporia + Forever Never
Label : Forever Never (own releases)
Distributor : Code 7 Distribution (Skratch The Surface Promotion) - PHD
Release date : June 2011
Release : CD (remixed/ remastered re-issues with bonus material)

Essex based British Metallers Forever Never already have a nice history to look back on.

Formed in early 2004, the band released its Dave Chang produced Untitled As Yet demo in December of that same year, and saw their full-length debut Aporia(also produced by Chang) released  through Casket Music/ Copro Records in March 2006 (our review by yours truly got posted on the 25th of same month). 3 years later (April 2009) the band returned with their self-titled sopomore album (and a slightly changed line-up including a new rhythm guitarist and drummer), released through Siege Of Amida. We did not get that album for review at the time of release, but following a review of the band's Crazy single, Skratch The Surface was so kind as to send us a copy after all, and we did our best to let the review co-incide with some March 2010 shows of the band (review posted 24/02/2010). In October 2010 the band then eventually self-released their covers mini-album I Can't Believe It's Not Metal (review posted 01/01/2011). Releases which showed the band's growth from a rougher-edged Metal quintet to the sophisticated act they are today, and for which the band garnered positive response from media both in their home country and abroad. On the road the band fared rather well too, sharing stages on full tours or one-off supports across the UK and Europe with the likes of Skindred, Stone Sour, Madina Lake, Ill Niño, Kittie, Breed77, Mnemic, Vision Of Disorder, Fozzy, Karnivool...as well as touring the US supporting Stuck Mojo. Evidently, the band was a regular at some of the British festivals.

The original 2,500 copy pressing of the band's debut album had been sold out for over a year now, and apparently the band retained its rights over the sophomore album...and so they felt this was good timing to re-release both albums with bonus tracks. Not only that, but they also gave the original album a new mixing and remastering. So, for all those of you whom got to know the band but recently and could not find the debut album...here it is again, with no less than 4 live tracks (originals on the Aporiaalbum), recorded with very decent sound quality at Manchester Academy 3 in November 2008....meaning over 20 minutes' worth of bonus! The quantity of bonus material on the re-issue version of Forever Never may be "less", but certainly not lesser, with an alternate mix (done by singer Rennie Carroll) of album opening track "Empty Promises" (rather call it an alternate version altogether – you'll know what I mean when you'll have heard it), the previously unreleased "Thanks For Letting Me Know", and the never-before-seen video clip for album track "Lost Forever".

Well, I know the re-issues are normally planned for June, but I thought I'd alert the band's UK fans of the fact that the guys are touring Britain in May and June...check the dates at either (www.) forevernever.com or myspace.com/forevernever. Those readers still needing to make their acquaintance with this band, these are also the places to find some examples of the band's contemporary take on Traditional Heavy Metal. Re-issues, so no rating, but the albums will be in my year-lists anyway! Nice initiative, this!

Tony.