THE ALARM
Forwards (The Twenty First Century Recording Company)
Brothers and sisters, faithful followers but especially doubters, I beseech you – nay, I command you to listen to this record. For this will deliver you a way to persevere, move forward and believe! Mike Peters, The Alarm’s founder and leader, not only had a relapse of his leukaemia, he had to battle life-threatening pneumonia last year, and during an extended hospital stay and chemo treatments he composed Forwards.
How the singer/guitarist found the strength – with help from hospital staff, family and other loved ones – is amazing, because he sounds incredible. With these songs, he’s so thankful to be alive and counting his blessings. They have an urgency and rawness, as on Transition where Peters pours out his guts. He sings the truth about the state of the world during and after COVID, and tunes like Love And Forgiveness and Another Way show how far he’s come from the brink.
words RHONDA LEE REALI