Album Review: Forever – Forever (Evil Confrontation Records)

Jonas Wikstrand, known as the drummer of the Swedish heavy metal band Enforcer, also ex-member of Black Trip, will release the first studio album of his solo AOR side-project called Forever on April 19th 2019 via Evil Confrontation Records.

This first studio work will contain 10 tracks filled with classic rock guitars, large choruses, orchestral and electronic elements incorporated on a organically produced rock album featuring Olof Wikstrand, Eirik Røland and Johan Wikstrand on lead guitars.

Jonas comments on the album: “This is the album I dreamt about doing for years, and even though it’s been a while since I finished the album, I’m still really proud of how it turned out. I’m so excited to finally show the album in its entirety.”

Man, is this a classic rock album. So much so it’s almost like a parody, except its not. In fact, it’s down-right brilliant!

Ripped straight from yester-year, Anywhere You’ve Gone is all chorus while Call Out My Name couldn’t be more 80’s rock if it tried. Seriously, it sounds like it could be on the soundtrack to a sassy buddy-cop movie from that era. It’s so silly but it’s also a little bit great!

Absurdly fun especially if you see it for exactly what it is, a throwback tribute and nothing more. Enjoy rocking out to the groovy Meat Loaf-esque Train, the super-funk beat of Rosebud and the synthy goodness of Runaway Through Time.

It loses its lustre during Mayday and Blame Me For Trying as they’re very much nothing tracks. However, it pulls things back for an absolutely grin inducing finale of Hope. Such an uplifting track, that certainly shows Forever really understand their AOR.

Such a fun album.

Forever – Forever Full Track Listing:

1. Anywhere You’ve Gone
2. Call Out My Name
3. Got Me
4. Train
5. Rosebud
6. Runaway Through Time
7. Hell to Pay
8. Mayday
9. Blame Me For Trying
10. Hope

The album will be available via all major streaming services upon release and can be picked up via Evil Confrontation here. Find out more about Forever via Facebook.