For The Forsaken – Hard Rock Music With Feelings

Album – Hole in My Soul

Release Date – 19th September 25

Review by Linda McDermott

Cambridge outfit For The Forsaken have been steadily building their reputation with a string of hard-hitting singles, and now the real milestone has arrived. Their debut album Hole In My Soul lands on 19th September, pulling together all the grit, energy, and emotion they’ve been pouring into their music since day one.

Frontman and bassist Dan Hunsdon has never been afraid to write from the heart, and the bands songs reflects that honesty. Across its tracks, the band channel influences like Black Stone Cherry and Alter Bridge into something that feels both familiar and distinctly their own. There’s weight behind the riffs, but also a raw sincerity that makes the whole thing stick.

For The Forsaken

Dan Hunsdon – Vocals/Bass

Jack Hunsdon – Guitar/Vocals

Stu Isteed – Guitar

Chev (Adam Cheverton) – Drum

For The Forsaken have earned their stripes on the gig circuit, sharing stages with the likes of Loz Campbell and The Hot One Two, and you can hear that live energy bleeding into the recordings. It’s big, unapologetic, and clearly made to be blasted out loud.

With this debut, For The Forsaken aren’t just testing the waters, they’re planting their flag. Hole In My Soul is both a statement of intent and a promise of what’s still to come.

Songs

Bring The Fire Hole in My Soul No Cage Burn Brighter Take Me by The Hand Wonderlight By My Side Pain Project Providence Old Town Serenity My All

The album brings together both previously released and unreleased songs, telling a story of recovery that is nothing short of heartfelt. It’s an outpouring of dark times, growth, and learning how to be. Hole In My Soul feels like therapy set to music, healing, raw and emotional, with every ounce of feeling poured into its creation.

That honesty is matched by the band’s connection. It’s something you see when they’re on stage, and it carries through just as strongly on the album. Musically, it

strikes a balance: heavy, gritty and aggressive in places, but then easing into melodic and reflective moments. The lyrics speak for themselves, lived experiences laid bare, and together it all clicks. There’s not a weak track here; the album doesn’t let up on that raw, gritty drive.

Bring the Fire

Some standouts for me include:

By My Side, has a thumping beat that anchors this track, with Dan’s distinctive vocals delivering a deep, emotional edge. It’s one of those songs that lodges itself in your head and gets your foot tapping from the start.

Bring the Fire kicks off with a fantastic guitar-led intro before the drums come in and continues the pounding tempo. Dan pulls the song back briefly as he starts to sing, just to let it breathe, before he joins the music to drive everything forward at full tilt. Its heavy, hard, and brilliant.

My All, perfectly chosen as the closing song, this track really has everything: big riffs, a thumping beat, a chorus that sticks, and a statement from the whole band that “this time I’m giving you my all.” To me, it’s about strength, resolution, and therapy paying off. It’s got single written all over it.

Truth be told, every track could stand as a single in its own right. The music has a presence that feels restless yet mending, carrying all that angst and urgency while also offering release. The vocals lift each song to its conclusion with heartfelt intensity, leaving you wanting to reach out and give the whole band a big hug.

Mark the 19th September in the diary and give these guys the love they deserve.

Socials

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theforsakenband

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fortheforsakenband

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ForTheForsakenMusic

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