UK band NEVER A HERO have a history going back to 2009. They have a handful of singles and EP’s to their name, as well as two self-released full length albums. “UnEvolution” is the most recent of the latter, and dates back to 2015.

The band’s Facebook page describes the band as being of the alternative metal vein, and alternative is indeed a most fitting description for the contents here. Those fond of metal of a more regular or even progressive vein won’t find all that much to be of interest, as this is a band that explore metal in a more regular and mainstream pop/rock general framework. Experimental within those boundaries for sure, but this is music made with an appeal towards those who enjoy chart music to a much greater extent than music that has a more challenging and adventurous general approach.

Vocals are clean and emotional or firmly spoken with a hip-hop attitude, the guitars are smoothly toned down or majestic in a slick manner, and for every bit of grunge and hard rock uncovered they are sure to be tied up alongside a more mainstream oriented musical genre as well. Experimental, but never at the cost of sacrificing the alluring chart music idioms.

Grunge is a part of the landscape, and so is pop punk. Adventurous alternative rock not too far way from RPWL at their most interesting stand side by side and sometimes together with catchy pub rock Tubthumping style. Synth pop is very much a part of the totality here, as is retro, 80’s style video game music and effects. Rap meets metal and synth pop as explored within a mainstream, chart music framework and general context.

How enjoyable this music is will very much be up to individual taste. Personally I found many of the songs to be just too slick and superficial for my specific taste in music. Easy on the ears and the mind, with a strong hum along factor for the chorus sections, but lacking those features that makes a more lasting impression. Those with a taste for metal as explored from a chart music oriented alternative metal pointy of view appears to be a likely key audience, and I gather that who recognize themselves from such a description should find this album to be an interesting one.

My rating: 63/100