EP review: FORLORN HOPE – Valour Part I
Website [Release date 30.08.24]
Historical metal band Forlorn Hope are back with an ambitious new album ‘Valour’. This EP is the first part of ‘Valour’, which tells the stories of fifteen Victoria Cross winning actions from Crimea to the Second World War and will be released as three EPs. The stories cover sacrifice, determination and derring do on land, sea and in the air.
The band have pared down to a core three piece of Chris Simpson (vocals, lyrics, rhythm guitars), Alexander Bishop (lead guitars, composition) and John Roughley (bass), with drummer Danny Kelly listed as a guest, having appeared on the band’s 2019 debut album, ‘Over the Hills’.
‘The Fusilier’ starts things off nicely. A tale of the Crimean war, complete with all the metal bombast you’d expect. Chris Simpson’s vocals can take a couple of spins to get used to. he has that metal power required, they just sound a bit different that similar metal vocalists.
‘Down in Flames’ tells the story of Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson’s actions during the Battle of Britain, which earned him the only Victoria Cross awarded to Fighter Command during the Second World War. The song is a rattling Maiden style romp with a very catchy chorus.
‘Ulysses, 1915′ is based on the Gallipoli landings took place. At V Beach, the scheme to use the converted collier SS River Clyde as an improvised landing craft ended in catastrophe and carnage. This plan, the man behind it, and the carnage of V Beach form the subject of this song. Forlorn Hope pack a lot into this song from the vocal arrangements through to the guitar riffs in under five minutes.
One things for sure, listening to this EP has you off to read more about the military history behind each song.
The instrumental ‘Greater Love Hath No Man’ features Celtic themed guitar soloing with added orchestration to add that bit of metal pomp!
‘The Last Ride’ covers an action in the Battle of Isandlwana, part of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu war. The song tells the story of the Queen’s colour of the 1st 24th which was carried off the field by Lieutenant Melvill on horseback but lost when he crossed the river, despite Lieutenant Coghill having come to his aid. Both were awarded posthumous VCs for their actions.
The song has a stirring military drumbeat coupled with guitar and vocals that add to the song’s overall appeal. They may not have the overall soundscape of say Sabaton, yet they certainly get as much as they can on a much smaller production budget than the likes of Sabaton operate on.
Forlorn Hope have made a good impression with their new EP. Like a good book, it leaves the listener wanting to hear the second chapter of the ‘Valour’ album. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
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