David M Rangel / May 26, 2026 / Review
In their 80s heyday, The Alarm were often touted as rivals of U2 with their brand of anthemic rock songs which included “Rain in the Summertime”, “Sixty Eight Guns” and “Spirit of 76” to name a few. Lead singer Mike Peters had the vocal passion to rival U2’s Bono, and then some sans the self-importance. Bono himself once declared The Alarm “the second greatest rock and roll band in the world.” Sadly, the songs on Transformation will be heard in a different way as it is being posthumously released on May 29, a little over a year after Peters’ passing from a form of cancer called Richter’s Syndrome.
When you consider that Peters was well into his sickness when Transformation was recorded (having been dealing with cancer for the previous 30+ years) it’s a mind-blowing listen. The cinematic choruses and hooks are as present and properly delivered as their old hits, if not more so. It’s said that Peters lived his life to the end with the passion and optimism in the face of adversity that few could ever muster. One listen to the hopeful messages and lyrics in this recording will quickly validate that fact. This record more reflects the passion and hunger of a young singer excited about what’s to come, as opposed to an older performer who is trying to hang on.
“One In A Million” will (arguably) likely be the preferred track among many great ones on this album, to many listeners. It has all the best components of stadium rock songs both past and present. From the initial booming drums grabbing your attention to the breakthrough of one of the most hooky choruses produced by anyone in years. It’s sure to ignite the kind of “fist in the air” exhilaration not seen in awhile.
During the making of this recording, Peters had it firmly in his mind that he would beat his cancer and it’s stated clearly in many of the tracks. “Live Today” states “I don’t want to live forever/ I want to live right now.”
The video for the song (put out as a pre-release to the record) was Peters’ final performance as he went immediately to the hospital after filming to start the treatment that was supposed to save his life. In “New Life” he sings of “100 milliliters of brand new life/ killing the past/ generating the future.” The track is a catchy, hopeful rocker in which the “new life” must now be unfortunately thought of from an afterlife point of view. The conviction and urgency in Peter’s delivery in all of these songs are as much of a rally cry as The Alarm had in their prime. And the vocals sound like a man whose voice does not age, even in the face of possibly losing his life.
Aside from his personal reflections on the value of life, Peters also delves into current situations that have been on all of our minds. “Metaverse” is a distorted, rock ‘n’ roll warning about humans being over immersed in the internet, and the dangers of it. While “Wired” is a more soulful observation of a dystopian world where all is seen and heard by computers and electronic gadgets. While the subject matter in these songs is perhaps a bit less personal to Peters, his vocals still reach the passionate heights that most rockers never will.
Transformation would’ve been as strong a record as a debut as it is a final musical outing from a band that ranked among the most soulful and passionate in the world. The fire and ardor with which the tracks are delivered may be Mike Peters’ crowning achievement and legacy from a career that inspired a zealous following that will undoubtedly be reignited by this proper last recording.
The album is out everywhere this Friday, May 29th. Watch the video for “Live Today” below.
The Indy Review 