We were first introduced to Forever Changed last year in the form of The Existence EP, which served as a short preview of the music to come. This year, the 3 total tracks of that release has been extended to 11 and has been dubbed The Need to Feel Alive. And while The Existence EP may have seemed short and thrown together to some, the full picture is within view on the full-length debut.

Forever Changed plays an emotional style of rock that you just don't see enough of today. But, then again, that is what makes it stand out. It is a sort of Evan Anthem sound with more of an emo-infused-punk twinge. Dan Cole's vocals are strong and passionate, perfectly capable of flowing with whatever emotion the next second of music will bring.

And the emotion drips into their lyrics, which are never sugar-coated or "read between the lines." No, Forever Changed is up-front about every topic they tackle, whether it be petty disputes in the church, Satan's attacks on our spiritual lives, or the hollowness of trying to find worth in a material world.

Forever Changed is a band with a lot of promise. Those not impressed with their EP should give The Need to Feel Alive a chance. After hearing the full record, I see them in a completely different light. Obviously, there is room for improvement, but they are subtle areas that would almost be considered nit-picking to even bring up. The Need to Feel Alive is a solid piece of work that needs to be heard.

- Review date: 03/12/05, written by Josh Taylor