……… by Iain Key June 18 2023
The Alarm’s 21st studio album, Forwards, is out now on their own The Twenty First Century Recording Company label.

The Welsh punk survivors have released Forwards, which follows last year’s Omega, which had been written and recorded over 50 days in early 2021 during the pandemic. With a dark irony, Omega could well have been their last following sole original member Mike Peters’ well-publicised battle with pneumonia and a serious leukaemia relapse during 2022; a condition which has first been diagnosed in 1995

Thankfully that wasn’t to be the case, and we now have the optimistic, life-affirming Forwards, written while the artist was receiving treatment at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl. “I literally took my guitar into hospital with me,” says Peters. “I was on the ward for such a long time, I started writing the songs for Forwards in between IV sessions and the first people to hear the music were, literally, the very people who were trying to keep me alive.” The album was recorded in between hospitalisation periods, the singer taking the band into the recording studio with producer George Williams, despite barely being able to speak due to the debilitating effects of chronic illness. He says, “I’ve been to places only deep suffering can take the human spirit and, in the darkness, I clung onto every piece of light I could find to work my way back to life. This was the energy that drove me to write and record Forwards.”

Before we go forwards (sorry, bad pun) let’s take stock. The Alarm, since the early 1980’s had 17 Top 50 UK singles, including the magnificent 68 Guns; Spirit of 76 and Rain In The Summertime and have sold over six million albums worldwide. The band split in 1991, however Peters performed as a solo artist, with projects such as Coloursound with Billy Duffy and returned to the ‘Alarm’ name in the early 2000’s. I’ll be honest I’m not qualified to summarise the artists lengthy career, but what I will say is the bands website is one of the best I’ve ever seen with clearly a lot of time and attention paid to it, with interviews and documents dating back to early days as The Toilets and also Seventeen

(Apologies, I’ll get onto the album shortly!) The other thing that jumps out from the site is what a bloody great bloke Mike Peters is. Whilst he’s been knocked down on occasions, he’s got up again. As well as a savvy operator, arguably one of the first artists to set up his own label to release his music and control his catalogue, he’s also constantly in touch with his fans. Since the lockdowns, his Big Night In online broadcasts (via YouTube) have attracted thousands of views from all corners of the Earth. The love for the artist and his music has also been celebrated at ‘The Gathering’ each year. This year it celebrates its 30th anniversary attracting fans to North Wales, and next week Peters is flying out to New York to perform, chat, and meet and greet for 4 sold-out days, from June 22nd to 25th. As well as being a bloody great bloke he seems to be a very humble one too. How many readers are aware of the amazing charity work (with wife Jules) via their Love Hope Strength Foundation which promotes innovative, music-related, outreach and awareness programmes for leukaemia and cancer sufferers, survivors and their families

Truth be told I am lapsed Alarm fan myself, my last real memory of the band was the ‘Poppy Fields hoax’ of 2004 which lead to the film Vinyl, although I was aware they were responsible for the Official Welsh World Cup single, The Red Wall of Cymru. While my musical tastes and allegiances may have changed over the decades I still remember the thrill of hearing the aforementioned 68 Guns in my (early-ish) teens. In true 1980’s fashion, I recorded it from the Top 40 on Radio 1. I also remember picking up a copy of Spirit Of 76 from the ‘ex jukebox’ section of Grants Newsagents in Heald Green after being paid for my paper round. The albums Eye Of The Hurricane and Electric Folklore Live later soundtracked my bus journeys to and from my YTS after leaving school. The dynamics of the tracks always grab the attention as Mike Peters soulful yet occasionally coarse vocals carry you along

So what about the new album? How would this compare? Forwards hits you with an urgency and pent-up restless energy from the off. The opening title track sets the tone for the album, which offers reflections balanced with a desire to live throughout. The first track fades in as if you’re returning from the darkness into the light of hope. Peters explains the track was, “Written for, and in the moment that I found myself trying to stay alive. I was in hospital and searching my heart and soul for clues to how I could survive. My instincts told me that whenever I had a moment in between IV sessions I should not stay still and at least try and walk some steps along the corridors of the hospital. This was generally at night when the place was deserted and the lyrics are informed by all the fleeting glimpses I would get from seeing other people on my route down the long corridors sometimes stricken with grief or like myself, clinging to life itself. I was looking for the way forwards and when I decided to go public and post the news about what was happening to me on the Alarm website, I signed my message off with the single word ‘Forwards’. I knew right away that was going to be a song and an album title”. It’s a call to arms and a hook which will pull you in

Forwards is naturally dominated by the artist’s experiences over the last year, with key themes of love, hope and strength throughout. After a few listens some of those stand out, such as the opening line of The Returning, a track written for Jules and his sons Dylan and Evan, “Dream out loud if you want to stay alive,” or the defiant “Whatever’s trying to kill me…. makes me feel alive” in previous single and Next which closes side one of the album

Another Way gives you an insight into the working of the writer’s mind, and also his resolve. “There’s always another way; is a mantra and a phrase that has proved itself to me time and time again. Even in the most simple phases of life when a door seems closed, or life impacts on your direction of travel, I’m a believer that there is always a solution,” which seems to pay off on the following track, Love And Forgiveness, the singer commenting, “I’m always amazed when I find myself on the other side of life’s challenges, grateful to be alive and to have received the love and forgiveness to continue…” This is possibly my favourite track on the album, it’s a mid-tempo piece, almost Dylan-esque

The opening track on the second, Whatever, was born out of John Lennon’s Whatever Gets You Thru The Night being played on hospital radio one day, Peters took his idea of getting through one night, and applied it to a longer intent Whatever Gets You Through Life? He remembers, “When I was in Ward 11 with a drain attached (through my back), into my lung, I had to lie still and on one side for 7 days while 5 litres of blood was extracted from my partially collapsed lungs. To stay sane I started to imagine what a new Alarm record would sound like and what kind of songs I would need to populate the space between the record cover and also get me through this predicament. As soon as I was out of hospital, I set up my recording gear and the songs burst forth from my imagination. It was as if they were writing themselves, and I knew the music had got me through and back to a place where I could begin to live again”

Transition is perhaps the most open, raw and brutal song on the album, written at a point, “literally in a place of transition between life and death.” The opening verse makes it clear. ‘There’s a line / I have to cross tonight / If I want to stay alive / Live for a second time’. Midway through it musically lightens and you get a sense of hope on the horizon, especially when the guitar riff kicks in which at one point sounds not unlike I Will Follow

Love Disappearing is the oldest piece on the album, written before hospitalisation but recorded after. It’s got a bit of everything. The open section making having a Spanish feel to it before turning into a tub-thumper, “Its content is easily explained, especially as the concerns about global warming are all around us and everywhere. Here in my small Welsh village, it seems as if life has taken a turn and the summers are not how I remember them as a child growing up, with winter becoming more severe with every passing year.”

The penultimate, New Standards is looking to the future, a song ‘about changing attitudes to life, the impact of social media and the dynamic between society and authority’. After charting the trauma of his time in hospital it’s positive that Peters can focus on what happens next. He says of the track, “Humanity is setting new standards every day, and I hope we can all learn to live with and by them, together”. Closing with the track X, it’s up to the listener to make of it what you will. “I wrote the lyrics in one pass and it was all there. I had no title but called it X as it was the last song on a ten-track record”

Many may come to Forwards as a result of Mike Peter’s recent battles, it is a great place to return to The Alarm. I’m sure seasoned followers will question where I/we have been, and it’s a fair question, it’s us that have been away, not the band. There’s plenty to catch up on, over 400 songs, and I intend to start now. It seems that that opening line written 40 years ago was prophetic… “and now they’re trying to take my life away…”. ‘They’ did, and are still trying, but thankfully Mike Peters is a survivor and still here to tell the tale

I’ll leave the last word to Mike… “A lot of artists have to kill to make a record like Forwards and with the challenges that came my way in 2022, I certainly had to kill or be killed, to realise the ambition in these songs. It was literally life or death making this record. I’ve already taken so much from life, that when I was in hospital stricken with chronic illness, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be spared another opportunity to live. Fortunately for me, I was granted more time on earth and the challenge remains as ever, to make the most of every single second.”

The Alarm, the iconic British rock band, releasing their highly anticipated album titled “Forwards” on June 16th, 2023. The album is a deeply personal and emotional journey that offers listeners a unique perspective into the struggles of the band’s frontman, Mike Peters

“Forwards” is a powerful and authentic account of Peters’ experiences while undergoing treatment for leukemia. The album captures the raw emotions he felt during his hospital stay and offers a glimpse into his struggles, fears, and triumphs. The songs on the album are written straight from the heart, reflecting Peters’ resilience, hope, and strength

Given the context of Peters’ medical journey, “Forwards” is a remarkable achievement. It is a testament to Peters’ determination to persevere through adversity and to draw on his experiences to create something meaningful. The album is likely to resonate with many people who have gone through similar circumstances or have been impacted by cancer in their lives. The Alarm’s latest release, therefore, is not only a musical masterpiece but also a tribute to the power of human resilience in the face of life’s challenges

The album is a collection of robust and captivating anthems that have cemented The Alarm’s signature sound throughout their career. The title track, “Forwards,” is an epic and uplifting anthem that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Along with “Whatever” and “Transition,” these tracks boast soaring choruses and unforgettable melodies that are sure to leave a lasting impression on listeners

The album also features catchy pop/rock tracks, such as “The Returning” and “Another Way,” which showcase The Alarm’s versatility as a band. These songs are sure to get audiences tapping their feet and singing along. Meanwhile, “Next,” “Love Disappearing,” and “New Standards” are powerful alt-rock tracks that pack a punch with their driving rhythms and edgy guitars

“Love & Forgiveness” is a beautiful acoustic track that provides a serene and peaceful conclusion to the album. Its stripped-back arrangement and heartfelt lyrics provide a welcome contrast to the rest of the album, and serve as a reminder of The Alarm’s talent as songwriters and musicians

The standout track, however, is the six-plus minute belter titled “X.” This soaring, epic composition builds from delicate acoustic flavors to a thunderous rock sound, captivating listeners with its emotive lyrics and dynamic instrumentation. What sets “X” apart from other contemporary rock tracks is its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from contemplation and introspection to excitement and catharsis. The lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, exploring themes of hope, loss, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The instrumentation is equally impressive, with the band delivering a dynamic and immersive performance that showcases their remarkable talent and skill

Despite the challenges Peters has faced, his spirit remains unbroken. Throughout the album, he showcases a battle-weary determination to keep moving forward, refusing to be slowed down by the obstacles in his path. This resilience is evident not just in the lyrics, but in the musical content of the album as well. The music is energetic, driving, and full of life, showcasing Peters’ unwavering commitment to his craft and his art

One of the most impressive aspects of “Forwards” is the way that The Alarm’s music manages to be both raw and polished at the same time. The band’s songwriting is deeply personal and authentic, with lyrics that speak to universal truths about the human condition. At the same time, the album’s production values are top-notch, with slick arrangements and a deep, rich sound that makes every track feel like an instant classic

But perhaps the most inspiring aspect of “Forwards” is the message of hope and resilience that runs throughout the album. The Alarm reminds listeners that even in the face of adversity, there is always a path forward. This is music that encourages us to keep pushing, even when the road ahead seems dark and uncertain

Overall, “Forwards” is a triumph of both artistry and heart. It is an album that deserves to be heard by anyone who appreciates great music that speaks to the human experience in a profound and moving way. The Alarm has once again proved their creative prowess and musical dexterity, delivering an unforgettable experience that will leave listeners inspired and uplifted.

If I compiled the Top 10 Best Songs of the 1980s, the Alarm’s “Strength” would not only rank on the list but likely Top 5

The Alarm was one of those underrated alternative cool bands that never reached to full fruition on the popular band’s charts in the United States but did carve their way onto radio with a few select hits, “Strength” one of their biggest. And, if you weren’t part of that crowd who found them 40 years ago the only alarm you listen to probably wakes you most mornings

Technically The Alarm MM++, (feel free to peruse the history behind the name change but they split up in 1991 and reformed in 2000) but everyone knows them as The Alarm and when I saw them on the Sigma Tour they were billed as The Alarm. Despite the breakup, the band made up for lost time, apparently, in recent years dropping seven albums since 2017. Last year’s Omega frustratingly failed to resonate so I was pleased to see, already, a new album from the coolest band from Wales and I was also pleased to hear just how good Forwards is. (Terrible writing, ending a sentence with is.)

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not comparing The Alarm to U2 but if someone gave me this album and said it was an album of previously unreleased early U2 songs I might believe it, for some of the tracks.  Most others, however, ring true to singer Mike Peter’s vocal tone. Regardless, Peters, his wife Jules Jones Peters on keyboards, guitarist James Stevenson and drummer Steve Barnard have put together a rather energetic, uplifting 10-song nearly 40 minute record, out today

Both Peters have endured battles with cancer. Mike Peters’ fight started with non-hodgkins lymphoma in 1995 (something I have a personal connection to) and then again when leukemia popped up in 2005. He relapsed last year requiring hospital stays along with the rigors of chemotherapy treatment and a bout with pneumonia. Jules Peters was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and has talked openly about surgery and recovery

But it was Mike Peters’ recent “kill or be killed” experience that led to The Alarm putting forth a new album filled with a resounding collection of hard rock and softer tracks with some longing and filled with introspection, but mostly an all-around good time showing the strength of Peters and his march forward

“It was literally life or death making this record. I’ve already taken so much from life, that when I was in the hospital stricken with chronic illness, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be spared another opportunity to live,” Peters said in a press statement. “Fortunately for me, I was granted more time on earth and the challenge remains as ever, to make the most of every single second — forwards.”

Appropriately, the title track opens the album with an inspiring message of moving forward constructed around an equally warming melody. Great drumming reminiscent of marching band. Likewise, “The Returning” continues the mood. This one an 80s throwback that resounds today. A wonderful song. Peters sounds fresh and vibrant especially notable on the higher octaves. Keyboards abound on “Another Way” tapping into the band’s new wave roots whilst keeping pace with the prior two

The somber and contemplative “Love and Forgiveness” slows and strips things down before giving way to the punk-tempo and raucous guitar of “Next.” If you haven’t heard a little U2 by now, you’ll get it in “Whatever” a track that almost sounds like a live take with an exuberant Peters singing about whatever it takes to get through this life. Peters lets his vocals carry much of the weight on “Transition” a song that swings from temperate to assertive and back. A hint of Bono comes roaring back on “Love Disappearing” while  “New Standards” brings old school post-punk rock as both tracks embrace the quick-tempo, minimalist instrumentation that helped define the early 80s musical raw simplicity. Finally, just let closer “X” ride. A six minute plus saga led by a hypnotic three-note piano chord from start to finish with some harmonica thrown with it all enveloped by Peters’ anguishing vocals

Emma Schofield previews Forwards, an emotive album which marks the return of Welsh rock stalwarts Mike Peters and The Alarm

I whisper this quietly as you can never be entirely sure who’s listening (or reading, in this case), but I realized when I sat down to listen to Forwards, the new album from The Alarm, that I was perhaps just a little bit too young to appreciate the full narrative behind it. I’d obviously heard of some of the bigger songs, but it took a deep dive into Spotify to get a real feel for the sound that has clearly characterized The Alarm’s work

For those listeners who are more familiar with The Alarm’s back catalogue than I was, you’re in for a treat. The sound is as distinctive and unapologetic as ever; it’s also surprisingly upbeat. The backstory to this Mike Peters’ recovery from leukaemia, following a near-death experience and months in hospital, where the bulk of the album was written. Yet for an album that was billed by Peters as being “life or death”, there’s an admirably positive tone. “I’ve been to places only deep suffering can take the human spirit and, in the darkness” says Peters, “I clung onto every piece of light I could find to work my way back to life. This was the energy that drove me to write and record Forwards.”

Things kick of with ‘Forwards’ and ‘The Returning’, both of which assert The Alarm’s return to Welsh music, as well as the fact that Mike Peters is still, very much, alive. That prevailing sense of optimism and determination runs throughout the opening half of the album, exemplified by a line in ‘Next’ which cheerfully asserts “whatever’s trying to kill me makes me feel alive”. There’s something strangely heart-warming about the whole thing, coupled with a reminder that whatever has happened to him in the intervening years, Peters has still got it

I’m loathe to say that the album goes on a (whisper it quietly) journey, but certainly there’s a thematic feel and the phases seem to be characterized by a sense of emotion which might, arguably, mirror Peters’ own recovery. Things get a little more serious at Forward’s midpoint; ‘Transition’ is darker, with a heavier tone than the rest of the album. It’s a reminder that survival can sometimes mean clinging on by the skin of your teeth, some battle scars are to be expected. It is a bit of a bumpy ride in places, but for the most part the determination and grit of the songs in this mid-section of the album carries it through

By the time we reach the closing tracks of Forwards, we’re back to the buoyed up high-energy rock that fans of The Alarm will have come to expect. Tracks such as ‘Love Disappearing’ are unexpectedly catchy and you’ll want the volume cranked up by the time you reach these latter stages of the album. There’s no doubt about it, this is very much one for The Alarm fans, all the hallmarks of a classic Alarm album are present and correct – the energy, the narrative and more than a few catchy riffs – it’s a lively statement through which to make a comeback

The Alarm put out their post-pandemic record War in 2021 and weren’t exactly ready to jump back into work on another album. But them co-founder/frontman Mike Peters was hospitalized for pneumonia. That medical issue was quickly eclipsed, though, when it was discovered that his leukemia—first diagnosed in the mid-‘90s—had relapsed

“I literally took my guitar into (the) hospital with me,” says Peters. “I was on the ward for such a long time, I started writing these songs in between IV sessions, and the first people to hear the music were the very people who were trying to keep me alive.”

That’s the background with which Peters and The Alarm set about creating Forwards, their latest LP, and surprisingly, the album is neither an anger-fueled exercise, nor do the songs wallow in self-pity. Rather, it’s a rallying cry, a call to arms to live life to the fullest while you can. It’s also one of the most recent offerings from The Alarm that harkens back to their 1980’s glory

The album opens on the title track, a rousing song about “living for today” that sounds like it could have come off of 1984’s Declaration or Strength, the classic record that came out the following year. But far from being just another nostalgic retread, there are themes here that manage to be both timeless and anchored to modern problems. “New Standards,” coming toward the end of the album, focuses on how the Internet and social media has completely changed the way we deal with each other in society

Elsewhere, the driving “Whatever” is a modern take on John Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,” focusing on what gets you past every other moment of the day and inevitably life. Across 10 tracks, Peters is carrying on the tradition of the band started almost four decades ago, creating an album’s worth of inspiring stadium singalongs

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Courage is doing what you need to do despite all that life can throw against you

Much has been written, proudly stated, said with concern for one of music’s true great icons and inspirations, a man of distinction, and those who hold him as dear as he holds them, and perhaps it is with most vocal of support that many openly declare that The Alarm, in which ever state of membership they are in, deserve to be listened to and taken note of

That is a truth, but it is not the whole story going Forward. People, music lovers in their droves should not just be in awe of the courage shown, but for the sheer brilliance in which Mike Peters continues to hold his own when it comes to bring a lyric to life, a settling of words from a poet with anger and love equally fighting in his Olympic-sized heart for reason and uncovering loyalty and integrity

To have The Alarm still making music, to have Mike Peters, Jules Jones Peters, James Stevenson, and Smiley, is to have the belief of being unbeatable by your side, every moment within the album acting as a steward, a knight, a sword wielder of piercing honour slaying the darkness that comes in the guise of dragons. Throughout the album the listener feels the pulse of righting injustices, of hearing cries and wanting to ease the pain and soften the blow…that going Forward is not a case of courage, but a true necessity of being

With tracks such as The Returning, Love and Forgiveness, Whatever, Transition, the phenomenal X, and the title track of Forwards, leaving the listener in no doubt of the state of the world we have not only allowed, but insisted comes into actuality, is one of anger, of resentment, and wrath, that love has taken a back seat in the wake of all that has infected this world…and that is not how it should be, it is not right, it is not desirable, nor needed, what is required is the acceptance of love and care

Forward is an album of potency and muscle, but underneath there is also the understanding that love can win out if we insist that right people lead us to a higher plane, that the place where courage and truth are the ultimate in expression.

The Alarm is definitely a better moniker to hold than their original gambit of The Toilets. This name was derived from the performer, then Eddie Bob, and a series of other artists’ alias’s in 1977. A short-lived outfit, the band went through a sequence of tags, one which featured keyboardist Karl Wallinger, before rebranding themselves and settling on the band we now all know to be the home of singer / songwriter, using his own name, Mike Peters MBE. It’s no wonder that I still associate the group with U2, as in 1981, through to ’82 they played support for Bono and co., thanks to backing provided by than-manager Ian Wilson. Both possessed a similar energy and, dare I say it, ‘sound’, driving both bands, and their single ‘Sixty Eight Guns’, released in August of ’83, was having an immediate significance that still rings in my head today

With 40 years of history, which has seen Peter leave the group in 1991 during a performance at Brixton Academy, co-writing with ex-Cult guitarist Billy Duffy and a year which saw Peter’s health dominated by pneumonia and a leukaemia relapse, this album has a particular significance. The title and lead track of this new album, seem remarkably apt, as Peter sings, “In the cities all deserted, in the streets of emptiness, in the church of non-believers, I’ve been searching for the way forward…”

With something in just those few words that we can all relate to, this seems as good a place to start as any. This first track opens with both relatable words, a great hook, and a hopeful view, that I’m sure even the hardest non-believer will find something on which to hang their hat. This is the benefit of great songwriting and for a band with their experience, I would have to say that I am not at all surprised. The album continues with ‘The Returning’ and onto ‘Another Way’, a song in which Peters describes as “..…life is cabaret, entertainment, as we come and go through the mirrors and smoke…”, well not for all of us, but a line in which I can see the artist may have felt he has lived life and another tune which possesses that solid identity. This is turning out to be an album beyond compare, as a distorted guitar rings out. Can I hear comparisons of the 1980s? Well maybe, but that’s not to dismiss the content. Would my girlfriend dismiss the radio station ‘Absolute 80s? I think not, so that should be the case here and these are original songs, all 10 of them

As track number 4 begins, I’m once again assured that strong songwriting is at the heart of this release. Beginning with 3 notes, in isolation, this suddenly reminds me of U2’s ‘One’, not the same, but I can certainly hear that these bands crossed paths during their formative years and that this connection is still present, which is in some ways reassuring

Sticking this vehicle into reverse, so to speak and the next number does exactly that, as ’Next’ rings out. This is a full-blooded rock tune, as the bpm goes off the scale. Mike Peters and Co. pull on their boots, as they ask the audience, “…are you ready for what’s next…”. Well, that’s a pretty assertive question, at which point I’m fair trembling to find out. ‘Whatever’ pull’s up next to me, it’s plush velvet seats allowing me to enjoy their comfort as Peters makes the statement, “…There’s no place I’d rather be, than behind closed doors, just you and me… Whatever gets you through this life, that’s alright…”. Now I’m under no delusion that I’m not the person he’s directing this at. That would just be weird and in no way reciprocated, but it’s good to hear those words that would fill a stadium and at least half of those assembled, actually feel the emotion focused on them. Again I would like to point out that these musicians are writing songs that hit the sweet spot, but what should I expect from professionals, who know their art. This is what 40 years of experience brings

You can actually feel the passion that comes from this album, it’s dripping from every song. I have listened to this album, from start to finish, over and over, and have found a connection that places this alongside even the best work the band has produced. Anthems that a younger band has written, with sounds as fresh as anything I have heard of late. And who said that after 40 years you can’t be political. Well, these have centred on the zeitgeist, laying bare emotions that might have surfaced recently. Putting these together with a driving tune and acerbic lyric, without favour, or fancy. Well, I’m sold, now where did I file that copy of Declaration.