Asphalt Horsemen - Never Forget (2024)

The Asphalt Horsemen name is intertwined with the energy, depth and authenticity of southern rock. However, their fourth album, Never Forget, offers something different, more than what we have been used to from them before.

What makes Asphalt Horsemen's album Never Forget exceptional is primarily the deep human story behind it. The tragic loss of the band's guitarist, Géza Matyasovszki, cast a huge shadow not only on the life of the band, but also on the album. Due to the tragedy that occurred during the recordings, work stopped for a long time and raised serious questions for the members of the formation, such as: does it make sense to continue like this? In the end, they decided to finish the album in his memory and carry the band on - a decision that gives the album a kind of emotional depth and strength that can be felt in every single note.

The other, striking factor is the expansion of the soundscape. Asphalt Horsemen's previous work has been built on a combination of powerful guitar sounds, scratchy vocals and steady rhythms, and this time it is no different. Never Forget, however, goes beyond the framework of traditional southern rock - the inclusion of keyboards and cello is a bold innovation that enriches the songs with special, film-like effects. With this, they managed to create the band's most complex and personal soundscape to date, which simultaneously remains true to the Asphalt Horsemen trademark, while elevating their music to new dimensions.

Originally titled Fatherhood, the album received its final form after Géza's death, but in the end, the track Never Forget was chosen as the title track. The composition is a worthy memorial to those who left a deep mark on the band's life with their lives and deaths. Never Forget is a profound evocation of passing, loss, and the eternal bonds of friendship and brotherhood.

The album's lyrics dissect two intertwined themes: the responsibility of growing up and fatherhood, and the inevitability of death and farewell. These themes form a unified narrative, and the question appears in each track: how can we move on when we have lost someone or something forever? Asphalt Horsemen is nevertheless able to handle this serious subject matter in a way that keeps the album dynamic and varied. Alongside the lyrical ballads, there are the energetic, anthemic rock songs that listeners have been a fan of since the first album. The chaotic beauty of life, loss and healing, friendship and the power of belonging are all present in each track.

Musically, Never Forget not only pays tribute to Géza, but also sets a new direction for Asphalt Horsemen. The album is both a kind of closure and a new beginning.

Never Forget is not an easy, melancholic farewell album, but rather an intense, cathartic journey that shows that loss can be more than just a fresh start. With this album, the band creates an atmosphere that leaves a mark on every listener, regardless of whether they know the history of the formation or not. The album launch concert, which will take place on October 19th at the Instant-Fogas Complex, provides a great opportunity for a joint (listening) experience.