Fury UK
Salvation Rocksector Records

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Comments: Another year chugs by, and the enigmatic gents of Fury UK decide to energize yet enervate their fan base by releasing another three-song EP. That's right -- one year ago, in March, Fury UK released a three-song EP that reeked of talent but also left room for improvement, especially vocally. For guitar fans, Chris Appleton is an underground guitar hero, or, he soon shall be. This guy is a freak on guitar. But, he also manhandles the mic, and was judged somewhat harshly by critics (and maybe fans) on their prior release. On the "CD Single" for "Salvation" (aka EP), Appleton gives the finger to the critics and doesn't even share lead vocals, as he did on the prior release. Appleton also parted ways with his former band mates and brought in a new bassist and drummer. So does the new chemistry work as well with Appleton as his prior accomplices?

It wouldn't be a stretch to think Appleton looks at Dave Mustaine as inspiration. Why? Well, because he's a rabid guitar player who wants to front the band as well. His vocals are measurably improved on the opening track, "Salvation." Instead of sounding like a English band, they slam you with furious composite of punk attitude, metal grit, and sneering vocals. Last year, Fury UK almost sounded like a jam band at time, just making music around Appleton's guitar insanity. That is no longer the case, as "Salvation" makes songwriting sense which flows from solo to musical passage. And how is Appleton a year later? If you happened upon this guys in a local pub, you'd think it was a lark, the name "Fury UK." This has to be Petrucci, or Romeo, or Broderick, or some guitar guru on stage wielding this kind of guitar might, right? You have to hear Appleton play ...

"Manslaughter" is another heavy, snarky composition. It seems that by adding in new blood, Fury UK now wants to make you bleed, at least, musically. This is sort of a daft song, lyrically, with passages like, "Manslaughter! I did the crime! Manslaughter! I did the time!" Yay! Who cares though, because the groove is churlish and combative, and Appleton's solo is completely different than the one on "Salvation" but just as impressive.

The short as hell EP ends with "Lost in Forever." Now, this is really the first time Adam Cropper on bass gets to lead the song, with a dirty grind. Appleton takes a chance here, just bass, drums and vocals in some passages. If he works as hard at his vocals as he does on guitar, Fury UK will be fine. In fact, his range already seems broader, and when he sings higher, it may remind just a bit of Whitfield Crane. With a catchy and solid chorus, this is just as memorable as "Salvation." Towards the end, the song jets into some other land for the guitar solo, going from Classic Metal to Heavy Metal, and Appleton sounds similar to Mustaine's nasal and violent delivery. Cool.

If Fury UK was just testing the waters again, to see if they could actually "do it," well, they've done it twice in a row. For two years straight, they've released an EP when you really want to hear a full album. If March rolls around again, and they have another three-song EP and not a full-length release, the only people they've let down are themselves.

Musicians:
Chris Appleton- Vocals, lead guitar
Adam Cropper-Bass, backing vocals
Martin McNee-drums

Track Listing:
1. Salvation
2. Manslaughter
3. Lost in Forever

Hardrock Haven rating: NA