Artist: Furyon 
   Title: Gravitas
   Label: Released Through Metal Hammer Magazne (Dec 2011)

This is the début album from this five piece nu-metal band from Brighton.  Influences include Stone Sour, Evil Masquerade and Dyscarnate.  Surprisingly, the album was released through Metal Hammer magazine, with 9 of the 10 tracks present.  The only one not included, 'Disappear Again', is their first single and was included on Dirt 3 for Xbox360. 

Not unusually for a debut album, Furyon take the nine track opportunity to showcase a variety of their skills, ranging from nu-metal to guitar-led riffs and solos.  It doesn't really go for anything heavy, sticking more to the melodic side, which makes it a nice album to listen to.  Yet, there is no real stand-out skills present.  The vocalist sticks to what he knows (even if he does sound a bit like old Axl Rose) as do the guitarists, and this slightly ruins its appeal, if I'm honest.  This would again be one for those new to metal, and specifically nu-metal. 

The only really enjoyable track is 'Don't Follow'.  It sounds different to begin with, specifically with the Axl Rose-like vocals over a slightly heavier track.  It also uses the guitarists more, and the drummer can be heard throughout, keeping the tempo up.  Yet but the middle of the song it's already getting repetitive, and it is a worry that this is what metal is becoming.

Review by: Kerry H

1. Stand Like Stone
2. Souvenirs
3. Don't Follow
4. New Way Of Living
5. Voodoo Me
6. Fear Alone
7. Wasted On You
8. Our Peace Someday
9. Desert Suicide

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