This Friday sees the release of Interceptor, the fifth studio effort from Neoclassical Metal outfit Fury. West Midlands-based, they are not to be confused with the similarly monikered Aussie Thrashers, US Hardcore punks or even a previous English Metal trio.
Fury – Interceptor
Release Date: 5 September 2025
Words: Sophie James
While each album to date has been recorded as a four-piece, Interceptor sees founding vocalist/guitarist Julian Jenkins, guitarist Tom Atkinson, bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Tom Fenn joined by co-vocalist Nyah Ifill.
These two distinctive timbres now permit the focal points to engage in combative or complementary exchanges, not to mention expand their use of harmonies.
With a title worthy of inclusion in the Judas Priest catalogue, Interceptor wastes no time in demanding your attention.
You know the feeling you get when a live band strikes its opening chords? It turns heads at the very least, if not having you rush down to the barrier – just that.
The titular opener accelerates at a rate one would expect from any speedfest, quoting “200 mph between the lights.” The melodic charging riff is accompanied by breakneck drums as the chorus immediately profits from Nyah’s presence.
With licks and harmonies in abundance, it is already ‘Silly grin on one’s face’ time.
Wasting no time, second track (and second single) What’s It Gonna Be? introduces the melodic powerhouse that is Ms Ifill. With no drop-off in the energy, the massive hook on the bridge leads to even greater enchantment on the chorus. A club anthem for sure.
“High Boots, no, they don’t hurt.” We’ve all been there, haven’t we, ladies?
The choppy riffed On the Town is a hugely anthemic soundtrack to a hedonistic evening. It also provides the first opportunity for some vocal jousting between Julian and Nyah. Definitely one to get you in the mood, what did I say about having a silly grin on your face?
“Revolution takes belief.”
From its initial (and recurring) fanfare of “Woah-Wooaahs”, Don’t Lie To Me is an acerbic but impassioned commentary on the current unprecedented levels of societal manipulation.
While it is driven by a grinding riff, it is wrapped in layers of resonance that would not be out of place at the more accessible end of the symphonic rock spectrum.
Can you call a track lasting barely four minutes an epic? In Pursuit of Destiny certainly has that quality.
From its opening spatial chords through a brief Within Temptation-style bridge, it builds into a riff-driven expanse that showcases the exceptional vocal pairing at work. A song deserving of the biggest stages.
After its piano intro, the main riff and melody of Can’t Resist (Gimme What I Need) is reminiscent of the Scorpions. As the song develops, it becomes the kind of vocal sparring contest that this duo was united for.
Walk Away is another grandiose narrative, but in a different style altogether. From the outset, one is immersed in a rebel outlaw Americana vibe that provokes images of a western or other equally desolate Badlands.
Or put simply, their Wanted: Dead Or Alive.
While Julian’s pained, mournful tones retrospectively express regret, Nyah’s counterpoint is just exquisite. When the solo arrives, it is impactful in a Slash standing on the top of a mountain kinda way.
From roaming an infinite plain, Look At Us Now returns us to the freeway.
Tom’s unrelenting drums accelerate it to maximum cruising speed.
Propelled by abrasive guitars and thunderous percussion, DTR (Down To Rock) is a Route One Rocker in the same vein as On The Town. The interaction between the singers sparks another comparison, which I will come to shortly.
And so to leave the best for last.
The arrangement, not to mention performance on Undistilled, is flawless.
A male lament underpinned by an ambient Hammond and spiralling guitar, as the soaring female vocal emotes the flip side. So much to absorb on this sub-six-minute number, one really needs to pen a full review on this alone to do it justice.
I cannot believe I have partly summarised it in 20 words.
Following a key change, it attains a different plane altogether, with Nyah channelling the essence of the legendary Clare Torry on THAT song. An out-and-out showstopper for sure.
With many styles explored, each song has been crafted and arranged with meticulous attention to detail, becoming electrifying and addictive as a result.
The vitality of Fury is enhanced by the crisp, punchy production from Todd, of ‘My Dad and the Other Bastard Sons’ fame.
I have always enjoyed groups where multiple vocalists are employed, Fleetwood Mac & Lacuna Coil, to name but two. Here, the interplay between Julian and Nyah is rapturous.
On many occasions, it tunes my mind’s eye into that celebrated encounter between Meatloaf and Cher, such is the quickfire sassiness in the exchanges as they feed off each other.
Having immersed myself in this for the past few weeks, this Fury album has been one of the most enjoyable albums I have heard all year. For fans of uplifting, effervescent Metal/hard rock, I cannot recommend Interceptor highly enough.
Just like the refrain of Undistilled, “I can’t let go”.
Fury release Interceptor on Friday, 5 September 2025 and will be available from mightymusic.dk/releases/fury-interceptor/ and all the usual streaming services.
