Ours Is the Kingdom

I can honestly say this is one of my my fave records. Whilst there are things that make Steadfast (Forefather's later effort) a better release, this album has a hell of a lot going for it.

First, the music, and musicianship. The drums are programmed, so they can only be so good. They are as good as they could have been. Beyond that, the guitar work is blinding, with riff after riff reaching for the sky in terms of quality. These lads know how to put a song together too, with the structure working to make classic tracks from the high quality riff work.

Add to this great work with clean and gruff/screamed vocals, both of equal standard, and you have a winner.

All this combines to produce a 1st rate atmosphere, you'll find yourself first clenched as melodies uplift you, and brow furrowed as the music carries the more saddening sentiments on offer straight to the heart.

This record isn't just about the music though. Its an hour of English pride. The lyrics are heart wrenching at times, and open your eyes to the plight of the English people, from the Norman invasion to the present day. I think wanting to evoke these feelings in their country folk is what drove the creation of music of such quality, and if you can tune in to the sentiment the experience is heightened.

Its fashionable in some circles these days to talk of "getting politics out of metal". What this really mean is get any politics that aren't "progressive" out of metal. Forefather are happy to stray from this, and the music is emphatically better for it, they're musicians free from the shackles of towing the establishment line, and its allowed them to create a wonderful record full of the passion and pride an entire Nation (in the true sense of the word) is denied every day.

Wassail!