If you know the name Tesla, you're either a fan of the most criminally disregarded inventors of all-time or the '80s metal band which is equally overdue for recognition. Their 2008 lineup is largely the same as it was back in the days with Jeff Keith on vocals, guitarist Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat on bass and Troy Luccketta on drums. The most significant change is that Tommy Skeoch has been replaced on guitar by Dave Rude, but with no offense to Skeoch it doesn't change the Tesla sound one bit. Forever More is a throwback to metal's halcyon days, which in some ways were very unkind to the band, as they always seemed to be ahead of the curve waiting for the mainstream to catch up.
Wait no longer because today's hard rock bands from Black Tide to Ra are unconsciously following in Tesla's footsteps, which means everything old fits into what's new like a glove. The energetic riffs of "I Wanna Live" would be perfect for Chris Cornell, but it's Keith who owns them with a howling scream that's part Brian Johnson and part Chad Kroeger. "Breakin' Free" may be as appropriate as any song title in Tesla's history, as the song vents their frustration with both the music industry and the mainstream. When Keith belts out the words "I don't care what you say! You better get out of my way" he's deadly serious, but he still has the presence of mind to meld that angst into blissful musical harmony.
"PVT. Ledbetter" finds the fivesome updating Pearl Jam in a curious way, and one hopes the soldier they write to in this song isn't coming home in a box or a bag, as it's a decidedly more patriotic tribute. Don't presume that Tesla has gone all somber and sulky though, as the album's closer "The Game" cranks the adrenaline up to ten and beyond with a kickin' groove Extreme fans will no doubt enjoy too. It may be more than 20 years since they first appeared on the scene, but in 2008 Tesla is back and better than ever!