ith their aggressive, industrial/metal sound and tough-guy appearance,
the band Forge might seem to be more interested in making
trouble than thought-provoking music. Most folks will therefore be
pleasantly surprised when they hear the adventurous compositions on the
group's latest CD, Trials, because the entire 11-song collection,
although undeniably belligerent, is infused with science fiction ideas
and imagery.
The Detroit-based trio--comprised of cousins Aaron and Steve Greene, who
respectively play guitar and bass, and drummer Bob MacAuley--explore an array of SF themes. The saga of "Adam 3," a restless automaton that
yearns for independence, launches the disc with an assertive and angry air.
The final thoughts of a dying warrior serve as the introspective topic of
"One Last Shot," while a high-tech paratrooper in "anticipation of weightlessness" anxiously waits to begin his lethal mission on "Drop." Meanwhile, "Captive Pursuit"
relates an updated version of the famous Richard Connell short story "The
Most Dangerous Game," and "In the Name of Peace" tells a tragic
tale of nuclear annihilation. The album concludes, appropriately
enough, with "Omega," which explores the plight of a civilization that,
though hoping to build a paradise, instead finds itself living under a brutal
and murderous regime.
The liner notes include the lyrics to every song, along with an extensive
list of acknowledgments and stark snapshots of each band member. Additional
pictures of the threesome show the group as a futuristic fighting team
brandishing fanciful weapons.
"Skimming the surface of an unknown world"
It's pretty clear that the guys in Forge all grew up on a steady diet of
video games, comic books and science fiction films, as the stories and
viewpoints on Trials echo tried-and-true SF concepts. The trio obviously enjoys its subject matter, the lyrics are
engaging and the performance is forceful, all of which makes Trials
an invigorating album.
Joystick jockeys will definitely relish "Prove," a potent number driven by
commanding drums in which listeners find themselves "skimming the surface of
an unknown world" during an extraterrestrial dogfight. A similarly bellicose
theme is evident in "Speed and Timing," a lively composition that explores
the inner battle experienced by a sniper just prior to firing upon a
target. And Aaron Greene's boisterous voice, which is heard on every selection, is
especially powerful on "Lost," an insightful cut that probes the psychic
turmoil of an instructor betrayed by his star pupil.
On some tracks the verses can be repetitive, and the unrelentingly
combative attitude, which in truth blends quite well with the macho music,
becomes stale over the course of the album. The stereotypical
scenarios could also benefit from more originality, although the SF
spirit remains consistently evident throughout the work.
Despite these drawbacks, Trials is a unexpectedly appealing
CD. The album isn't 100 percent perfect, but the hard-hitting melodies,
combined with the sheer force of Forge's presentation, should entertain even
the most jaded science fiction fan.
