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FOREFATHER ‘Ours Is The Kingdom’ (Karmageddon Media) (2004)
I was always against the idea of categorising bands, even though I understand exactly the need for doing this. Back in the 80’s things were much simpler: the number of bands was significantly smaller, and so were the branches of Metal to which these bands belonged. Since then, many things have changed. Today we have more Metal bands that any of us of the ‘old guard’ would have ever been able to imagine. Metal is a living institution, so it was almost impossible not to become influenced by other styles of music. Bands became more open-minded as far as how they should sound and as to what influences to present in their work. Many different styles were created within our beloved music, and even more titles to describe them. I have to admit though that I have never heard anyone referring to a band as Anglo-Saxon Metal! The reason is quite simple: I don’t think that any of you will easily find another band that sounds or plays like this new English act that’s called Forefather.
The band was formed in 1997 by two brothers, Athelstan and Wulfstan. Proud of their Anglo-Saxon roots, the duet released their first three albums (Deep Into Time, The Fighting Man & Engla Tocyme) through their own label Angelisc Enterprises. The albums made quite an impression, not only on the underground Metal press, but also on the Dutch label Karmageddon Media, which gave the band a contract. The first product of this new collaboration is the band’s fourth studio album "Ours is the Kingdom". Many bands in the past have combined Epic Heavy Metal with Death or even Black Metal, some of which are the Summoning, Enslaved and my very favourites Bathory. What is it that makes Forefather any different?
The strength of "Ours is the Kingdom" lies in the really good vocal quality, which was used by the members of the band. Most of the bands that combine these two different genres of Metal, have showed a preference for extreme vocals, with Bathory being the only exception. Even though I admire and respect Quorthon, I have to admit that there are times when I cannot stand his voice. In the case of Forefather, things are much better. The English act combines the melodies of traditional British Heavy Metal, with the dark aesthetics of Rotting Christ and Bathory, and believe me when I say that the result is more than satisfactory. Recorded and mixed in the band’s home studio "The Croft", this twelve-track album is full of memorable compositions able to bring together the two very opposite worlds of Death and Classic Metal. After the "Shield-Wall", which in my opinion is an excellent choice for the opening track of this album, comes the Rotting Christ influenced "Proud to be Proud", the epic masterpiece "The Golden Dragon", and the amazing "The Folk that Time Forgot" which made the difference to me. Especially the latter, on which the keyboard melodies will bring a smile to all Burzum fans of albums such as "Filosofem" and "Hlidskjalf".
"Ours is the Kingdom" is an album suitable for all the fans of Heavy Metal music. If it so happens that Skyclad, Manowar, Bathory and Rotting Christ are some of your favourite bands, then Forefather is pretty much your band. The signs show that this Anglo-Saxon outfit has everything it takes to become a big name. I believe that a band that managed to create an album with the quality of "Ours is the Kingdom", is more than capable of achieving that. On you go, lads!
****
Review by John Stefanis
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