Features : Archfiend UP Brings Awareness to Human Trafficking through Hard Rock Concept Album, Lost Forever

Authentic and raw, Archfiend UP isn’t afraid of illustrating a story too heartbreaking to tell. The metal band of one brings awareness to the devastation of human trafficking through its concept album, Lost Forever, featuring the single “Caged in Fear.”

Archfiend UP is the brainchild of one man, Brian Lafave, with a story to tell. As heavy metal begins making a comeback, Archfiend’s concept album comes at a perfect time. Mastering the guitars, bass, keyboards, lead vocals, and supporting vocals, Archfiend UP delivers a skillful portrayal of emotion through precise instrumentation.

For Archfiend UP, creating music is about the art of storytelling. Music has long been in the artist’s life, from growing up in a family of musicians to playing in a band as a teenager. Once he heard Metallica during detention in junior high school, his path was set. “I wanted to be that guy,” remembers Archfiend. “I’ve been playing music ever since.” In the past 10-15 years, Archfiend transitioned to writing music with the purpose of sharing a message.

Originally, Archfiend planned to re-record songs that were written years ago. Inspired to write an additional song about human trafficking, he decided to go another direction altogether: a full visual album. “I thought, what if I wrote a concept album,” recalls Archfiend. “I was drawn to the concept album to make the message more powerful. ‘Caged in Fear’ was going to be a standalone song, but it was written into chapters of the album. I wanted to do something that’s never been done before.”

Lost Forever is intended to be consumed like a literary work: no shuffling. “Each song is a chapter,” explains Archfiend. “You need a story to go with each one. As you listen, you need to go chapter by chapter, like a book.” The album is comprised of the following chapters:

Chapter 1: “Darkness”
Chapter 2: “I Will Rise”
Chapter 3: “Forever Free”
Chapter 4: “House of Fear”
Chapter 5: “Bloodline”
Chapter 6: “I am Nightmare”
Chapter 7: “Caged in Fear”
Chapter 8: “Lost Forever”
Chapter 9: “Don’t Let Go”
Chapter 10: “The Story of Jenna Lee”

The first track, “Darkness,” introduces the story through the deterioration of the narrator’s life as she watches her mother get sick and die before ultimately living alone with her abusive father. The darkness paves way for “I Will Rise,” which depicts the 14-year-old girl building up the courage (and disgust for her current state) and running away.

As the story unfolds, the girl meets a boy who she falls in love with; unfortunately, the boy only uses her, leading to her being kidnapped and held against her will. Fearing she will never escape or be rescued, she tragically takes her life in the end, “The Story of Jenna Lee.” The final song takes listeners back to the beginning song and highlights each song along the way.

The concept album took two years to write, record, and finalize. The visuals were created in collaboration with Colorado-based artist, Michael Lynn.

The single, “Caged in Fear,” is followed by a spoken verse at the end. As the guitar winds down, listeners can hear more about human trafficking and its impact. “When I wrote the music to this album, the guitars were written as the character’s feelings—what she’s going through, when she’s scared, upset,” highlights Archfiend of his creative process. “My daughter was 14 at the time, so I had her stand in as Jenna Lee and her friend as Laurie. The shady character was inspired by my Uncle Charlie who has a lodge in the woods.”

“If you listen to all the chapters, I provided information and what 1-800 numbers to call/text. I want people to watch the story and gain awareness about human trafficking,” adds Archfiend, reminding listeners of the importance of his message.

“Caged In Fear” is available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR.

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