F
ormed in September 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland, Beyond the Forest combine female-fronted Symphonic Power Metal with a multitude of influences to create a storm of anthemic melody. Confounding the lightweight perception of the genre, BTF avoid being tied to unwieldy cliches and keep it rocking hard and heavy while still maintaining ruthlessly high standards of performance and songwriting. Lyrically, their songs deal with righteous battle and the fight for justice against the tyranny of institutionalised religion, imperialism and ignorance. Musically, their main influences include early Nightwish, Sinergy, and Sonata Arctica.
Rising from the ashes of Glasgow band Bipolar, Beyond the Forest was formed by vocalist Christine Molloy and composer/guitarist David Simpson. Recruiting the pounding rhythm section of multi-instrumentalist Leila Dunn on bass and original drummer, Billy Fisher, the sound was soon complemented by the unhinged ebullience of guitarist Andrew Morson and the achingly dramatic symphonic synth beds of Stewart McKnight.
After finalising this six-piece line-up, the band played numerous shows throughout 2006-07, including a support with rising Heavy Metal daemons, Conquest of Steel. This was accompanied by a development of their sound to encompass influences from European Extreme Metal right through to classic AOR and Hard Rock. Multi-layered vocal harmonies and blindingly tight performances have made their live show unforgettable to a burgeoning local fanbase.
Following the departure of Billy at the end of 2007, Beyond the Forest soon hooked up with prodigiously talented sticksman Ross 'Bear' Rankin whose thunderous beats have been heard with the endlessly victorious shred-force power trio, Titus Gein, and uncompromising prog-metal titans, None My Equal.
Having just completed their eponymous debut EP (mixed and mastered by former Aereogramme guitarist, Iain Cook), Beyond the Forest are now looking forward to honing their live show further. Having just competed in the heats for Bloodstock 2008, they will play the Glasgow Cathouse on the 5th of June.
Source : http://www.beyondtheforest.net/p/beyond_the_forest/
