Forgotten Grey - EP

Forgotten Grey

EP
self-released; 2015

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The three-piece band Forgotten Grey from Birmingham, Alabama comprised of David Joiner (guitar/vocals), Jason Whetstone (bass) and Daniel Parker (drums) is playing the type of metal that is all but vacant from the mainstream. The four songs on their recent EP have shades of bands like Metallica, Black Sabbath and Queens of the Stone Age to name just a few. At this point Forgotten Grey is not doing much that has been done before but the songs still feel fresh in a world where most metal on FM radio is over compressed and pre-packaged. 

The sludge, warm distortion starts to roll with “Sell the Sermon.” Waves of white noise from the guitars are given the kinetic momentum from pulsating drums and bass. Joiner starts to sing during the verse and immediately establishes he has some dynamic. His vocals go up a full octave at one point. He has a good amount of stank and attitude in his voice which is a must for any decent singer of the genre. The band closes the song with a guitar solo which is unconventional but a nice treat.

Next up is “Call me Ahab” which goes a little past the six-minute mark. It’s a solid tune with a myriad of different guitar riffs, which are relentless throughout the song. You can tell the band put some time into this song with the sheer amount of changes. They have a breakdown and then a build up, etc. My point is they pack a lot in the six minutes. Joiner at times sounds like a young James Hetfield. 

I have a thing for songs starting off with solely bass and drums. That’s what “Generation Disconnected” does but not for long. A palm muted guitar makes itself known. One thing I noticed on this song was that Joiner's vocals were a little too low in the mix and possibly too thin. Nothing major but there were times I wanted to hear what he was saying. They close with “End (the process)” which has a ‘70s metal vibe. This was the highlight of the EP for me. The crunchy riffs felt instantly classic and memorable. Good Stuff.

Forgotten Grey’s EP isn’t perfect but perfectly enjoyable for any fan of metal who appreciates the aesthetic of the genre from the ‘70s and ‘90s. Recommended. 

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