Album Review: Forget Forever by Gatlin – A Raw Slice of Heavy Metal Fury
Released in 1998 under Devious Records, Forget Forever is a no-frills heavy metal gem from Gatlin, a band that wears its influences on its sleeve but still manages to carve out its own identity. Hailing from the US, this album delivers all the staples of classic rock with enough grit and attitude to satisfy even the pickiest headbangers. With Jon Drake pulling double duty on bass and lead vocals, Warren Cadle shredding on guitar, Michael Morrison pounding the drums, and the whole crew firing on all cylinders, it’s hard not to appreciate the raw energy packed into these nine tracks.
The album kicks off with its title track, “Forget Forever,” setting the tone right away. It’s fast, loud, and unapologetically aggressive—a proper punch to the gut. What makes this song stick? The riffs are razor-sharp, and Drake’s vocal delivery has this raw edge that feels like he’s spitting venom. You can almost picture him leaning into the mic, sweat dripping as he belts out every word. There’s something cathartic about how relentless it is; it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the last note fades.
Another standout track is “Into The Eyes Of Madness.” If there’s one thing Gatlin knows how to do, it’s build tension. This song starts off slow, almost eerie, before exploding into chaos halfway through. Warren Cadle’s guitar work here deserves special mention—it’s intricate without being overly flashy, adding layers of texture that make the track feel cinematic. And when the chorus hits? Pure adrenaline rush. It’s the kind of song you’d crank up while driving too fast at night, windows down, letting the wind whip your hair around.
Tracks like “Revenge” and “Killing Time” bring their own flavors to the mix, blending groove-laden rhythms with lyrics that lean heavily into themes of anger, defiance, and survival. Meanwhile, ballads like “The Longest Song” show a softer side of Gatlin, though they never stray too far from their metallic roots. While not every track lands perfectly—some moments feel repetitive or predictable—it’s clear the band poured their hearts into this record.
Looking back, it’s kinda wild that Forget Forever came out over two decades ago. Listening to it now feels like stepping into a time capsule where grunge was fading, nu-metal was rising, and bands like Gatlin were caught somewhere in between. They weren’t reinventing the wheel, sure, but they didn’t need to. Sometimes, all you want is an album that punches hard and leaves a mark—and that’s exactly what this one does.
Fun fact? For a band named Gatlin, I expected more country vibes going in. Nope. Just pure heavy metal fury. Go figure.
