EOWYN - BEAUTIFUL ASHES

I’d heard the name of Eowyn (outside of the obvious Lord of the Rings reference) a year or two back, but had no idea what this would sound like. The name garnered my attention but not more, at least not until a friend of mine asked if I’d review this if he got me a copy. (Thank you James.)

Well I received Beautiful Ashes in my mail box about two weeks ago and I’ve given it more than a cursory spin. Her bio indicates she’s played with Thousand Foot Crutch, Disciple, and Seventh Day Slumber and with a release like Beautiful Ashes one can see why. However there isn’t a ‘modern rock’ feel to this release. More old school hard rock in style, even though this album is anything but Old School.

Strong melodies with solid arrangements that are just catchy. Enough crunch in the guitar department to snare the most ardent rock hound and literally leave you wanting to hit replay when the album is over. Songs such as Fail Safe open with a strong keyboard arrangement that is backed a powerful six string attack. Much like album opener You Had To, commercial elements populate a driving musical force.

With a strong title track that is punchy and potent such as the one here, you have no choice but to pay attention. The hook will not only stay with you, but it will make you hum it for a long time to come. With components of hard rock, metal guitars, strings, and industrial electronics the music effortlessly moves from pounding rockers to sweeping ballads.

With strong production elements, (as I understand it this was a Kickstarter project) courtesy of Travis Wyrick (Pillar, POD, Disciple), he has blended together a strong array of sounds and given them top flight handling. A sonic assault that is even tempered but highly energetic and full of emotion and LIFE. This is music made by artists and musicians who GET IT.

Eowyn’s passionate vocal is driven by the message she presents, not one of retread slogans. The message roots itself in reality with its misery and pain, but still the reminder and offer of hope is still there. And it’s a message of hope she has experienced herself.

I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this disc, but I’m glad I did. It’s a solid collection of modern sounding hard rock, which flows with a richness that exceeds the genre. It might not be heavy enough for some but for many this will be a welcome breath of fresh air.

8 axes

RED FIST REVOLUTION - THE FALL OF GOLIATH

The Red Fist Revolution is upon us! This concept album put together by Ben Stewart (Conspiracy of Thought) takes elements of Muse, System of the Down and Nine Inch Nails and offers a solid release of hook laden modern hard rock/metal.

Entitled The Fall of Goliath, this is the story of a one man’s revolt against a worldwide government system. The concept is woven throughout the album’s 14 tracks. The included booklet gives you the complete lowdown on the intricate plot line. If Larry Norman were starting his musical career today this is the type of release he would have offered. Is Ben Stewart Christian rocks newest angry young man? Perhaps forceful enthusiasm is a better way to look at it.

Musically the songs are punchy and to the point. At times the groove forces one to start tapping their proverbial foot, modern guitar driven hard rock with keyboard and piano. 15 months of work have brought forth an album that goes beyond the safe bounds of the expected Christian artist. Songs such Working Class Automaton, Class War, Fall Goliath Fall and Down in the Valley deliver a thought provoking message of social conscience.

In a case where art mirrors life this album has many eerie parallels to what we have seen in the news in places like Egypt, Tunisia, and England. Whether you agree with the political statements, albeit within a story format, is irrelevant in one’s enjoyment of The Fall of Goliath.

The Fall of Goliath has strong production values. The palette of tones is strong with enough diversity within a strong continuity to provide a very enjoyable listening experience. This is an album that’ll give your ole woofers a workout.

This album rocks with a decidedly modern vibe and does it well. Youngside Records has really taken a step of faith and released an album that causes one to think, while rocking all the way. The Fall of Goliath might not be your normal musical faire but isn’t it good to mix it up once in a while.

7 axes

CONSPIRACY OF THOUGHT - NOTHING MORE THAN LIGHT

Ok this isn’t the normal bill of fare here at White Throne, but every once in a while I come across something that falls outside the norm that really grabs me. Coriolis and Leper were two previous excursions into the unknown, Conspiracy of Thought is another.

Short punchy songs with good hooks dot the landscape of their 2009 release Nothing More than Light. Yes this disc is from 2009, but having just landed in my hands the urge to share the wealth was great. With a sound more akin to Linkin Park or POD than Slipknot, Conspiracy of Thought have crafted a fine album.

Plenty of powerful guitar with strong melodic arrangements that are more memorable than worthy. However elements of funk and hip hop swim to the surface as well, yet the indelible mark of rock n roll remains intact.

With lyrics that demand social action and thought provoking questions, the spiritual element is quite evident through out. Nothing More than Light isn’t a one trick pony lyrically. A lyric sheet wasn’t provided with my copy, but the vocals of Ben Stewart are a huge standout. His vocal tone is superior, and his annunciation is of high note.

Conspiracy of Thought are a fine band and Nothing More Than Light is a solid album. Hopefully they’ll get to perform a Northern California show and I can give a live review, but at this point I would really encourage you to check out Nothing More Than Light. A good album that shows promise of something even better in the offing. Recommended.

7 axes

TEMPLAR - DARK CIRCUS

Templar’s 2009 release Dark Circus is a full on heavy metal assault that goes for the throat and doesn’t let go. With a musical sound more akin to Mushroomhead, Slip Knot or Mudvayne, this group of Aussies plays convincing and powerful compositions designed to make you think!

Touching on subject matter such as media control, military malfeasance, institutionalization, self mutilation, and international bank cartels. Yet the there is always the underlining feeling of something better to come. Templar opens these subjects with thoughtfulness but with the belief that nothing is as it seems.

The powerful driving guitar attack provided by Dan Yohann drives the overall musical cacophony. Yohann provides some rather tasty guitar passages that stitch it all together. Yet it’s the assuming bass player Rafael (aka Ralph Dix) who is the musical backbone of many of the compositions. Locking in with drummer Symon, provides a solid bottom end that pushes Yohanns guitars to the forefront.

Vocalist Toad delivers nonstop barks, growls and moments of total vocal meltdown. Putting all together in a strong package that automatically will get to hit replay more than once…. Or allow you to just let it replay on your IPod….

Crushing anthems abound within Dark Circus, Institution, Black Scar, Greenback Nation and New Years Revolution. The musical onslaught is strong and memorable with fabulous melodies that will stick with you.

With a high production value without cutting away the rawness factor, the overall sound is very enjoyable. The sound allows the instruments to breathe but is still tight enough to drive the point home. YoungSide Records has given us a fantastic album of modern metal.

This is a 2009 release, so I can only hope that Templar is working on another release. If you’re a fan of modern metal and don’t already own this release, don’t wait another minute. Dark Circus is a definite addition for those fans of the acts mentioned above. Dark and foreboding Templar’s dark wave is a sound that should delight many.

8 axes

KLANK - NUMB....Reborn

San Jose powerhouse Klank has offered up a new release of high quality
industrial/groove metal. Reminiscent of Rob Zombie, Dope and Marilyn Manson; Klank have really delivered the goods on NUMB….Reborn.

This being my first experience with the band I was immediately impressed with the quality of the songs. Comparing it right off with Dope or Zombie, the feel is there, the groove and heaviness as well. Cyberpunk with a large guitar assault that delivers on so many levels forces me to move the volume knob up on my car stereo in conjunction with the bass control.

Electrifying melodies on 'Penetrate,' 'The Rules,' 'Don’t Count me Out' and 'Bleed Me Dry' just hang around; only once you listen again can you sense the depth, the Full Monte as it were. Metal has such a way of adapting itself to many hybrid genres and this is one of the hybrids I latch onto the most. The crushingly heavy guitar moves things into overdrive where headbangers and pogoers can simply move to the mantra.

Lyrically Klank holds nothing back. Doubt, fear, joy, rejection and intimidation are all elements of the life followers of the Way experience. The emotional well is deep and honest, which is a sharp contrast to many albums from a Christian point of view where everything comes up roses.

The freshness and honesty displayed here is a kindling that can spark a flame or forest fire. Diving into the track entitled 'Blind'; all the cards are laid out on the table. Honesty drive and fury, their vast well of spiritual engagement is deep and courageous.

“Down inside
My soul it bleeds
And cries out for the one's just like you
With no relief I wish that I could just touch you and make you complete
The only way to get back up on your own
Two feet
Forget who you were
Find out what you'll be”

With a desire to engage their fellow brothers and sisters is something not amiss here. There is a genuine heart of compassion that doesn’t claim to have the reasons why, but perhaps showing fellow travelers that there is One who is able to carry us along. At the same time Klank is honest about the disappointments on the road less traveled.

Solid production and arrangements unleash a lion that has suffered, but has not quit. I would be amiss if I failed to mention the special guests who also contributed to this album, Jim Chaffin (The Crucified & Fasedown), Mike Phillips (Deliverance & Fasedown) and Larry Farkas (Vengeance Rising & Die Happy)

Fans of modern metal, this album has got to be on your list on purchases this summer. Don’t be afraid, obtain NUMB....Reborn and allow the work within to begin. This release is currently only available as a digital download, if sales warrant it the band has said they will then put it out on CD. One of the better releases this year, play it loudly.

8 axes

PHONOMIK - SOUL CREEPER

Nightmare Records has delivered a unique piece of art to the masses. Soul Creeper is the title of the debut album by Phonomik. This quartet offers to us a mirror of human insight delving into psychology and human observation, at the same time blending a modern metal vibe with classic rock melody and harmony.

Nothing here explicitly tells the listener what it is that they’re about to undertake. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a nice album of metallic rock tunes; that shortsighted approach just won’t work here. I suppose if your approach to music is pure sex, drugs, and rock n roll you’ll avoid this disc, fine it’s your loss. However if you like a ‘thinking mans band’ do yourself a favor and check this out.

According to the press materials:

“Soul Creepers take exit point back to when Jesus hung on the cross but this history is about the thieves who hung beside Jesus and cried "if you are the Son of God SO get us down from here. Then Jesus died sped up to heaven but our dear friend of thieves joined the slip stream and was caught in the nothingness. Now he is a Soul Creeper who has to live by others souls, and is sentenced to a total of eternity. Refers to the ancient beast, that dwell deep inside the human soul or the whispers that take us to dark places.”

Lyrically there is much that is not explicit but is open for interpretation and that element of unknown adds to the mystery. Yet I do wonder why the band felt that adding several ‘f’ bombs in the first song was necessary. No profanity exists elsewhere; perhaps it was used for emotional impact.

Musically Phonomik is an amalgam of Disturbed style riffing with classic rock sensibility, courtesy of Kenneth (lead guitar) and Shane (vocals and guitar). The vocal performance by Shane is top notch with a unique vocal sound. He sings for the majority of the album and when he shifts his style he opts for a more rhythmic rapid fire delivery. Michael (bass) and Kruger (drums) provide a solid backbone for the melodic tapestry going on above.

“Caveman,” “Massacre,” and “Die Alone” are just a few of the highlights on Soul Creeper. I found for myself that when I received a lyric booklet I was able to follow along and get more drawn into the story/theme presented. Myself I have often enjoyed this type of production because it does demand more from the listener, yet with 9 of the 10 songs clocking in fewer than four and half minutes even the casual listener should find this collection accessible.



The production is of world class quality with the instruments and vocals achieving balance with each other. There is breathing room but it still attacks with determination and drive.


Soul Creeper is not just a collection of the usual suspects, but something a bit different that should find itself in most collections of those of discriminating taste of hard edged rock n roll. Phonomik has given us a superior album to digest and ponder, check this out for yourself

8 axes