Review FM “Brotherhood”

British rock veterans FM are set to release their 15th studio album. “Brotherhood” showcases the band’s enduring talent for crafting melodic rock. The band is currently in a highly productive phase, having released “Old Habits Die Hard” in 2024, and now the new album is already in the starting blocks.

“Brotherhood” contains eleven songs, with FM picking things up where they left off with their previous album. The newest effort is full of melodic AOR-driven songs that cover everything, from dynamic rock songs to soulful ballads.

The new album opens with a powerful rocker called “Do You Mean It”, and yes, these guys mean it. Reminding us a little of bands like Foreigner, the opener is a vibrant start to the album and shows that a blend of rock and blues is the fuel behind the songs.

“Living on the Run” is a catchy mid-tempo rocker with a great chorus, while “Raised on the Wrong Side” is a marriage of rock and emotion. This is even more evident in the ballad “Just Walk Away”, which is the album’s emotional highlight.

“Time Waits for No One” is another example of FM’s mastery of their craft. Melody, hooks and power merge to form a song with a calm verse and an emotional, addictive chorus.

FM maintain a consistently high standard throughout, and the bottom half of the tracklist can easily compete with the strong beginning. “Because of You” is a treat for the ears and mind, as is the semi-acoustic “Chasing Freedom”. “The Enemy Within” marks the end of the album, and is its darkest song. It is one of the harder tracks, too, and makes for a great finale.

“Brotherhood” showcases a band with a toolbox filled with passion and experience. These eleven songs represent the melodic rock that we have come to expect from the British five-piece. Listening to “Brotherhood” means enjoying a masterfully crafted AOR album that provides great entertainment.