Neverafter is a rock record for purists. The pulsating and driving piece of hard rock from 1 Supernova is defiantly aggressive, bringing out a pulsating and riveting alt-rock album that’s loaded to the brim with hook after hook that has each track and its successor just roaring more and more. Topically, the album delves into heartbreak and loss, exploring the torturous and arduous falling out of a bad end to a relationship and the feeling of happiness being gone. The title alludes to happiness being neverafter.
The record is far from abrasive, bringing out a much more melodic and groovy element of rock to the fore. On ‘The End’, you’re immediately thrown back to your favourite alternative rock moments of the 2000s. The angsty but heavy combination, reminiscent of a Three Days’ Grace type, has you headbanging throughout. ‘Undead’ is a lot more progressive, with a long build up that comes crashing in with equal power and metal. The arrangement is vigorous, combining so much at once that it overwhelms you in entirety. But it’s perhaps on the slightly more nasally ‘Fall Away’ where I find 1 Supernova at their best. It’s definitively one of the most melodic and pleasant pieces of hard rock I’ve come across in a while, heavily throwing me back to some of my favourite heartland hard rock artists from the noughties. The chorus is loaded with emotion, despite the avowed power that the band brings.
The EP begins with “The End” – the breakup phase. The next track, “Undead” highlights the mixed emotions coming with self medicating pushing the edge. “Fall Away” is the reflection of the broken love once shared, but “Neverwise” to go back to because, well, all of the “Lies”.
All in all, ‘Neverafter’ is a rollercoaster to help you go through heartbreak, grief, and anger. By the time ‘Lies’ comes to a close, catharsis is all but assured.