Just to clear up any doubts: Birmingham-based heavy metalists Fury are not named after a wrestler, and their fifth album Interceptor is not a subtle tribute to former Leicester City midfield legend N’Golo Kanté. As frontman Julian Jenkins said at a hugely entertaining listening party at Spin The Black Circle in Worcester, the title Interceptor was chosen because it sounds like an 80s action film. He also revealed that the title track includes a “Genesis Kinder Egg”. So, if you’re a metal fan, Phil Collins fan, or a child, you’re highly likely to enjoy Fury’s latest offerings.
As well as revelations, we had acknowledgements: Julian had to mention “the elephant not in the room,” which was a reference to the recent departure of guitarist Tom Atkinson. But no matter, the elephant has been replaced by Matt Fletcher, and having a “guitar genius” in a metal band is preferable to having an elephant – an animal not known for its rock solo dexterity. Thankfully, the other three members of Fury are also extremely talented humans: Becky Baldwin (bass), Tom Fenn (drums) and Nyah Ifill (co-lead vocals).
So, let’s get to the music, which in summary is as playfully serious/seriously playful (but probably louder) than Iron Maiden and fellow Brummies Judas Priest. Interceptor kicks off with said Genesis-inspired title track, which goes at 200mph and really ought to be the Formula One theme tune. ‘What’s It Gonna Be?’ has a monster Audioslave-like riff and a big Bon Jovi-like chorus. ‘On The Town’ is a rollicking tribute to going out on the town, where hopefully you’ll be seeing Fury (they’ll be at the Marr’s Bar in Worcester on 19th December).
The “oh ohs” on ‘Don’t Lie To Me’ bring to mind Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, and ‘In Pursuit of Destiny’ is like a time capsule from 1984: the arcade game title, the astonishing riffing, the mention of “overdrive”. According to Julian, ‘Can’t Resist (Gimme What I Need)’ is “the cocktail bar song,” and indeed the first 32 seconds sound like ‘Club Tropicana’ played by The Shining house band. But have no fear, the track soon breaks into AC/DC territory, and the back-and-forth between Julian and Nyah is as gripping as a Phil & Sharon showdown.
‘Walk Away’ is about wondering whether to leave music, and it’s for every striving, enormously gifted band – “But if I walk away / Where would I go? / I could leave this life / But it’s all I know.” As well as this heartbreaking yet uplifting message, the track contains sublime harmonies and the desert twang of Bon Jovi’s ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’. ‘Look At Us Now’ is a cathartic and frantic celebration of the fact that Fury are still together and still threatening the structural fabric of venues across the land.
At the listening party, Julian announced that ‘DTR’ is “a really cheesy song – I bet you can’t guess what it’s about.” Cue a pause before a man at the back of the room said: “Cheese?” Which I thought was a rather brie-lliant response, whereas the rest of the room appeared to think, “How dairy!” Anyway, if “cheesy” means AC/DC high on life, then so be it, for that is an apt description of ‘DTR’. Final track ‘Undistilled’ is Fury’s ‘November Rain’, which includes Slash-outside-a-church riffs, and may have been recorded in Handsworth Cemetery for extra pathos.
If the preceding 563 words have not been enough to entice you to raid your own wallet and buy a copy of Interceptor, then perhaps this pithy review from a fellow listening party attendee will do the trick: “This is a band you can take your clothes off to.” Their words, not mine. So, what are you waiting for? Fury will make you happy and, er, possibly naked.
Interceptor is out now on Mighty Music.
By: Neil Laurenson