| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Thomas Wilson |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 2005 | Artist Website: Unforsaken |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 56:20 |
Unforsaken is a hard rocking Ontario, Canada based outfit showcasing the talents of vocalist and drummer Thomas Wilson and guitarist Jon Hooper. Wilson decided to start a band in the early nineties and soon joined forces with Hooper in the spring of 1993, initially crossing paths with him at a White Heart concert (Tales Of Wonder tour). Proceeding to make a move to Toronto in the summer of the same year, he rounded out the bands line up when he met bassist Sheldon D’Costa in early 1994. This represented the first version of Unforsaken in that the three went their separate ways several years later. Wilson continued to pursue a solo career using the name Unforsaken, and in 2000 put out a four song self-titled demo CD with the help of both Hooper and D’Costa. A second solo project, an EP entitled Prison Walls, also under the name Unforsaken came out in 2004 in which just Hooper provided assistance. Wilson soon began work on a full length album under the title Not Alone, and, as a result of Hooper being so heavily involved in the songwriting and recording process, Unforsaken made a natural transformation back to being a band as opposed to a solo endeavor. Not Alone was released in 2005.
The best way to describe Unforsaken would be an eighties influenced blend of metal, hard rock and melodic rock inviting a comparison to the likes of Bride, Daniel Band, Rez, Stryper, Rivera Bomma, Petra and Idle Cure. I really enjoy how Not Alone combines a blend of heavy duty rhythm guitar and catchy hooks on tracks such as “Prison Walls”, “Echo” and “I’m Not Alone” while “Surrender” and “Malice” lace a hard rocking atmosphere with a touch of acoustic guitar. As a matter of fact, one of Unforsaken’s strengths is the effective manner in which it makes use of the acoustic guitar, reflected in several noteworthy ballads in “When Love Dies” and “Brand New Day (Extended Version)”. The band even pulls off an effective acoustic based cover of the old Siloam tune “Here I Am Again” (off Sweet Destiny).
Thomas Wilson can flat out sing like a bird when at the top of his game, contributing a melodic flavored mid-octave ranged vocal style while proving his ability to hit a high note with ease. His emotional vocal delivery helps to make the likes of “Surrender”, “I’m Not Alone” and “When Love Dies”, which were already very good to begin with, really shine. While Hooper delivers a mega-tight rhythm guitar sound throughout, he is at his best on lead guitar, displaying his gritty soloing abilities on “Malice” and “Echo” and a softer, bluesier side to his playing on “Land Of Dreams” and “Here I Am Again”. Finally, the two prove very well rounded musicians in that Wilson also fills in on drums, bass, rhythm guitar and keyboards and Hooper bass.
Production values come across crisp and polished in combining an upfront rhythm guitar sound with an even mix of lead guitar and bass. The only constructive comment worth offering, however, is that the drums could have received a somewhat cleaner mix. This is only a minor issue and in no way detracts from the albums effectiveness.
Please note that Not Alone is an independent release that can be purchases at the PayPal friendly merchandise orders page at the bands website: http://www.unforsaken.ca/UPOS/main.html. You can also visit the bands MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/unforsakenproductions.
The introduction to the instrumental “Isolophobia” begins to a cacophony of voices, keyboards and sound effects that give way to narration from Hebrews 13:5. Once a wall of crunchy rhythm guitar kicks in, the song moves ahead in catchy fashion as Hooper decorates the scene with his mega-tight guitar harmony and dazzling lead work. A very effective album opener that sets the stage for two excellent songs that follow.
In an Interview conducted with Angelic Warlord, Thomas Wilson provides the following details about the opening to “Prison Walls”, which is carried by a blend of haunted voices and boiling lava:
The idea I wanted to convey was that of a person being held in a metaphoric prison, either spiritually or emotionally. The idea is that the person has come to a realization of their imprisoned state and is desperate to find a way out. Satan is taunting the prisoner and doing his best to keep them bound in this current state, but in the end the prisoner can hear Jesus trying to show them the way out, indicating that to be free, they must take the first steps and follow Him.
Taking off to a driving riff and several seconds of lead guitar, “Prison Walls” tapers off to a pronounced bass line for its first and second verse before advancing on an emotionally charged chorus backed by a literal storm of rhythm guitar. While the melody here is quite pronounced and you will be challenged to keep it out of your head, “Prison Walls” ends somewhat abruptly and, as a result, I am left with the feeling it could have been extended an extra minute of two. All in all, still a very strong composition that ranks with the albums best.
The quietly played guitar opening “Surrender” slowly leads the way through its first and second verse in near portent fashion. Picking up in pace to an exquisite blend of rhythm and acoustic guitar, the song progresses to a sweeping chorus detailing the healing God can bring in an individuals life:
Jesus’ love can break through
In His arms He’ll take you
High above the storm
He’ll keep you safe and warm
Turn the pain over to
The One you know who loves you
Then you’ll have to start
He’ll heal your broken heart
And make it new
This one also showcases a notable melody along with numerous progressive-like time changes that are certain to maintain your attention.
“Brand New Day”, the albums first ballad, is carried its extent by an acoustic guitar and actually falls a bit flat. While by no means bad and I can see how others might get into it, the song is on the short side at just 3:27. The good news, however, is that at the end of the album an extended version (6:40) of “Brand New Day” can be found which is done much better. More details to follow.
Unforsaken returns to its hard rocking ways on “Malice”. Introduced to a pounding riff interwoven with some striking guitar leads, “Malice” slows to a mid-tempo paced blend of rhythm and acoustic guitar only to regain its momentum for a quickly moving chorus with a good catchy hook. The hard and driving manner in which the songs bridge is delivered cannot help but bring to mind Rez Band at its best. Hooper contributes a fluid guitar solo to a song talking about the need for salvation:
Say that you’re a winner
You don’t want to lose
Always make your own rules
So that you don’t have to choose
There’s no right and wrong
You’ve dissolved to grey
But what will you be saying
When you see the Lord on judgement day
You’re beaten
Can’t you see the light shining
Don’t you know He’s there
Try to win, you’re beaten
Trapped in your own snare
The albums signature track, “I’m Not Alone”, is a terrific blues influenced hard rocker. Embarking to guitar feedback as rain pours in the background, a drum solo fades in before the song gradually builds in intensity and takes off to a stretch of energetic lead guitar work. “I’m Not Alone” proceeds to maintain its crunch driven impetus during its verse portions before evenly transitioning to a blues soaked chorus talking about how as Christians we are literally never alone:
I’m not alone
No I still have a friend
He’ll never leave me or forsake me
With me to the end
I’m not alone
No He’s right here by my side
In good times and in bad
Jesus is my guide
I’m not alone
Hooper steps forward and spices things up with more of his shredding work on lead guitar.
“Land Of Dreams” quietly moves through its first verse and chorus to an acoustic guitar blended with a pronounced bass line, the two leading the way until the rhythm guitar steps forward and drives the songs second verse and chorus in a grand and stately manner. An extensive instrumental section is shored up by a mix of guitar feedback and quietly played guitar. Very nice, laid back composition with heartfelt lyrics:
There is a way that we’re meant to go
A road that sometimes hard to find
But if we keep our faith and keep our hearts true
We’ll see the land that God designed
There is a place God has given to me
To keep you close to my heart
As long as I keep you in the land of my dreams
We’re never really apart
The hard rocking “Echo” immediately jumps out of the gate to a commanding riff, maintaining a wealth of ardent momentum during its verse portions prior to gaining a hold of a chorus advancing at a catchy, upbeat tempo. Hooper pulls out all the stops with a stretch of the albums best blazing lead guitar work. One of the albums heaviest tracks that stands out as a result of its metal-laced rhythm guitar sound.
Unforsaken follows with a cover of Siloam’s “Here I Am Again”, a very classy track which made its inception on the bands 1991 debut Sweet Destiny. Now, I am not always a big fan of cover songs in that more often than not a band ends up sounding too much like the artist they are attempting to “cover”. So what is the point? However, on “Here I Am Again” – which was a polished melodic hard rocker as performed by Siloam – Unforsaken does a good job of adding its trademark acoustic laced signature to the song. When compared to the original, the Unforsaken version advances at a more subdued tempo to a crisp acoustic guitar backed by a trace of keyboards, Hooper gracing the scene with his bluesy leads following the songs second chorus and over its final minute. Very well done.
“You Know What To Do” moves the album in guitar driven melodic rock territory. The song opens quietly before taking off at an upbeat tempo, the pace increasing until the rhythm guitar takes over and effectively leads the way to a melodic flavored chorus echoing the words of Christ:
I gave my life so you would not die
My heart was broken for you
You see My hand reaching out
You know what to do
The second verse to “You Know What To Do” details the listener’s response:
His words pierced right through me
This was what I was looking for
I was crying out for someone to love me
He said my life could hold so much more
The hard rock semi ballad “When Love Dies” is by far the albums strongest track. Getting underway to several seconds of bluesy guitar feedback, “When Love Dies” gently flows through its first verse until a succinct acoustic guitar steps forward and shores up a chorus standing out as a result of the stylish manner in which it is delivered. Momentum builds as “When Love Dies” moves through its second verse until a trace of rhythm guitar kicks in, a hard rocking environment established following the songs second chorus as the rhythm guitar proceeds to the front of the mix and carries things forward hard and heavy. Wilson’s emotional vocal delivery really helps put this one over the top. “When Love Dies” talks about how God can heal a broken heart:
God I know You’ve got a plan
To heal this broken heart
I’ve got to be a faithful man
And wait for love to start
A new love that comes from You
Will open up my eyes
Only You can heal the broken heart
When love dies…
The album closes with a very fine extended remix of the ballad “Brand New Day”. An acoustic guitar holds sway over the songs first and second verse until it gains tempo for a chorus which is repeated twice with just the right amount of commercial appeal. What sets the remixed version apart from the original, however, is a lengthy instrumental section carried by an amalgamation of rhythm guitar and melodic based lead guitar work. The rhythm guitar continues to carry the song and the album to its close.
In summary, Not Alone proves a very consistent effort musically in that I end up hitting the skip button only once. It would have been nice, on the other hand, to hear at least one more up-tempo hard rocker along the lines of Malice” or “Echo” in that the albums final four tracks – while very well constructed and holding up under repeated play – are of the acoustic laced/ballad variety. Not that there is anything wrong with this- once more, my favorite number here is the hard rock semi ballad “When Love Dies”. That being said, some of the albums finest moments take place on guitar driven tracks such as “Isolophobia”, “Prison Walls” and “Surrender”. All in all, Not Alone does a good job showcasing the abilities of a talented duo in Thomas Wilson and Jon Hooper. Based upon the potential shown here I am avidly looking forward to the bands follow up effort.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Isolophobia” (3:57), “Prison Walls” (3:52), “Surrender” (5:15), “Brand New Day” (3:27), “Malice” (4:46), ‘I’m Not Alone” (5:31), “Land Of Dreams” (5:11), “Echo” (4:09), “Here I Am Again” (4:05), “You Know What To Do” (3:57), “When Love Dies” (5:23), “Brand New Day (Extended Mix)” (6:40)
Musicians
Thomas Wilson – Lead Vocals, Drums, Rhythm Guitar, Bass & Keyboards
Jon Hooper – Lead & Rhythm Guitars & Bass
