Wow... what a step up from Again. The overall sound is much heavier... not that that's a must... but it is a plus (especially from the likes of Again). The lyrics are even more solid. But this time around, following the Columbine incident, the lyrics are pointed at specific ideals... specific thought patterns and emotional patterns. It's uncharacteristic of Brian and The Blamed... but it is a good lyrical production (all except the last track imo).
The music, as said earlier... is a much bassier, heavier sound than previous recordings. It's obviously downtuned... possibly just to d... but the bass is downtuned as well (not very common) making it sound lower. They brought up the bass in the sound... and it actually makes most of the sound instead of the guitars... which usually was the place in their music. Some of the songs are structured oddly, and the music just doesn't flow like you want it to. I find this cd squirming its way into my cd spins... I usually skip most of the songs at the time though. It's one of those albums better reflected than visited. Regardless, it's a good, solidly mediocre album with a few good moments... some good changes in pace from other Blamed stuff. What I would have liked to see, is some of this droning material finding its way into their other single paced albums. The Blamed should really try and mix their material styles into one... it'd be a very interesting mix.
7/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #79Reviewed by David BixlerWell, Brian Grey and company have released another CD as The Blamed. This CD is a big change from their earlier Tooth & Nail albums, and after the disappointment of Again..., Forever comes as a very pleasant and refreshing surprise. Most people would recognize the Blamed as a hardcore, thrashy punk band. Though these elements are evident on this album, they don't dominate as much as they did on…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Josh SpencerYou never know what to expect from the ever-changing Blamed, and Forever is no exception. They've pulled a switchback, slamming to a halt somewhere between the basic East Coast hardcore of last year's Against and the thrashfest of 1995's Frail. And it's their best yet, a perfect fusion of classic hardcore shout-singing, updated '80s thrash riffing (check the slowed-down old-skool Metallica moves…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Josh MarihughThe Blamed has added a new member for this project, Matt Switaj. Like frontman Brian Grey and bassist Jeff Locke, Switaj is a member of the Jesus People USA community in Chicago, and he plays guitar and handles much of the lead vocals on this project. Someone new on lead vocals could have been a disaster, but Matt and Brian mix rather well. The Blamed's longtime drummer, Jim Chaffin (who also…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Joe RockstrohOne of Christian music's more prolific acts, The Blamed are back with their fourth album, and the familiar hardcore sound is back, with a few new metal riffs and some awesome drumming moving The Blamed closer to new-school hardcore. While the music is fast and furious, the lyrics add even more punch as they speak on subjects as diverse as the beating death of Matthew Shepard and as controversial…Similar sounding releases
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