Forever Is Forgotten The Architecture is Still Burning

I remember listening to these guys a while back when they went out on tour in support of their self-released EP. I was fairly impressed but never really got into it, and in fact, the only thing that stuck with me about them was that they were from Milwaukee. But, after listening their newest release on Thorp, I’m more than ready and willing to give Forever is Forgotten a second chance. Although they recently underwent a two-member line-up change (CJ Krueger now does vocals and Jerry Hauppa has taken over guitar duties), I’m guessing they still sound the same live as they do on this release. For those who have yet to hear Forever is Forgotten, the band sounds fairly reminiscent of a host of other tech-metal/metallic hardcore bands, including Curl Up and Die, and A Life Once Lost prior to “A Great Artist.” And while the majority of “The Architechture is Still Burning” consists of up-tempo metal riffs and hardcore breakdowns galore, this album, unlike some metal-hardcore travesties, is able to keep you hooked most of the way through despite longer songs; mostly due to the pretty fierce dynamic songwriting capabilities of the band. Though at times it can seem as if Forever is Forgotten is a little directionless, they’re not afraid in the least bit to throw in some heavy metal false harmonics, blues scale influenced riffs, and trippy interludes (especially on “Goodnight Sweet Prince”) before launching into an all-out aural assault. Indeed, I don’t think a single track goes by, save the instrumental “Forfeiture of Thumbs,” wherein a breakdown and/or double bass dominated blast beat can’t be found. Furthermore, guitarists Justin Cota and Evan Soltes take the time to write more extended tech riffs in the vein of DEP, rather than just short little noodles, much to the listener’s relief. Lyrically, they tend to be fairly bland most of the time, consisting mostly of obscurities and personal hardships. On top of that, they’re a bit difficult to read as the art direction (which reminds me of One Dying Wish) has all the lines chopped up. Also included on this release is a video for the song “Tied to a Stranger’s Hand,” though the sound and video quality is a little subpar. However, the best feature of the CD extra is – would you believe it – the wallpaper they include to grace your computer desktop with. Hot stuff, indeed. Bottom Line: While it’s sometimes hard to listen all the way to the end of this album without getting a little bored, there are enough nuggets of gold in this release to make it worth laying down a few bucks for. At the very least, “The Architechture is Still Burning” displays the band’s talent in full force, and hopefully subsequent releases will push Forever is Forgotten into the spotlight even more.