In the space of less than a decade, which included only one American tour and four proper studio albums,
Turbonegro
's contributions and accomplishments cannot be sullied by their untimely departure. In fact, from the arc of this band's career development -- following from the
noise rock
debut of
Hot Cars
through the glorious, razor-sharp glitter doom of
Apocalypse Dudes
-- it's evident that
indeed had the material and the will to continuously develop and expand their sound.
Never Is Forever
is a searching
rock
disc recorded and issued initially in 1994. Though not as punishing, loud, or clearly directed as the follow-up,
Ass Cobra
, it is nonetheless a powerful document, even if
is clearly still searching for their ultimate voice. To that end, the band experiments with some delicate acoustic arrangements, soaring
pop/rock
anthems, and heavier tracks that could have found a home on
. This is clearly the band's most reflective and -- dare it be said -- melancholic statement, and even though the guitar pyrotechnics offered by
Euroboy
, who would join the group for
, are absent, the songwriting is developed and mature.
"Nihil Sleighride"
is as cold and convincing as they come. An album later, the basic aesthetic was installed -- all bandmembers dressed
Clockwork Orange
-like in full-denim regalia -- and
's stinging leads pushed the arrangements past the final hurdle. ~ Patrick Kennedy