By Rob Thompson
Onward were created in 2000 in Montana/USA by the late Crescent Shield singer Michael Grant and they are now in the process of re-releasing their LPs (limited to 500 hand-numbered copies). At the beginning of 2001 they released their debut album Evermoving via Century Media and it’s a chock full of classic double guitar NWOBHM influenced traditional metal and needless to say I loved it. Want massive keyboards? Want orchestras? Want backing complex harmonies? Yes? Well don’t bother with this album then!
However, to be fair Onward really span a few metal genres, for example there are some cursory progressive flourishes which are very reminiscent of that most excellent of bands Fates Warning; but these come and go. There’s a fair sprinkling of power metal in here too which balances the understated, technical riffs which are heavy, sharp and substantial. These riffs are layered and come in complementary waves, each following the other, building on what’s gone before. While this could sound passé and unoriginal I found it to be brilliantly enjoyable as they were unusual and not what you’d generally expect in this type of record.
Toby Knapp in particular is a wonderful guitar virtuoso and all of the other band members are way above average too. Michael Grant excels as a vocalist and he must be one of the most unappreciated and unrecognised singers I've heard in a while, holding his own when it comes to melody (bettered by only a handful of singers). It seemed to me that his voice was being used as another instrument as opposed to just trying to reflect the basic rhythms of the songs themselves. Lyrically these tracks are way better than the average power metal fodder and while sometimes Grant keeps himself busy trying to cram too many phrases into songs but once he takes a breath then this is where he really shines.
The powerful and dynamic production by Denis Gulbey (e.g. Jack Starr, Manilla Road, Gothic Knights) lifts this LP definitely to the top class amongst their peers. The very detailed cover artwork was made by Ioannis Vassilopoulos, who has worked for Fates Warning, Dream Theatre and Deep Purple.
There’s not really one best song on Evermoving as for me they’re all on an even par with each other for me. But if you only get time to listen to one or two tracks check out ’Onward’ and ‘Storm Coming Soon’ as these are fair reflections on what the band is capable of.
So, if you want to listen to solid no-frills album full of classic metal (and who wouldn’t) then give your earholes a treat and listen to Evermoving.
