DANIEL BAND - RISE UP & RUNNING OUT OF TIME reissues

Retroactive Records does it again with two sensational reissue/remasters, this time from one of the Godfathers of Christian Hard Rock/Metal; Daniel Band. Albums four and five i.e. Rise Up and Running Out of Time are the recipients of a much needed audio makeover.

J Powell at Steinhaus again has provided some much needed audio eq expertise. Rise Up sounds fuller and punchier, truly benefitting from a great production to begin with. The energy of this album shines through with a more defined lower end and fine tuning in the mid and higher end of the audio department. Rise Up was originally released in 1986 and in my eyes and ears, it has held up extremely well.

The songs you ask? Well Rise Up delivers a nice slab of high energy hard rock with strong metallic overtones. Bethel (when did Dan McCabe ever belt it out like that!?!?!) or the strength of Call His Name (the smoke rises from the amps!!). Perhaps the more melodic title track or the haunting slower tune Paradise will catch your ear. This disc has plenty of hooks but plenty of sheer put the pedal down!! This reissue features a bonus in track where Daniel Band covers an old Darrell Mansfield tune, That’s All Right and my friends this song is right at home here.

The second reissue is Daniel Band’s Running Out of Time. Originally released in 1988 this would be Daniel Band’s last album and features all of their trademarks. The soaring vocals and Dan McCabe, the fiery lead playing of Tony Rossi (and occasional lead vocal, see Things Are Changing), Matt Delduca’s straight ahead drumming and the guitar/synth work of Bill Findley.

Running Out of Time when it was released originally suffered from a horrible eq of shrill high end and nearly muddy sounding bottom. The work of J Powel at Steinhaus has solved both of those issues which have made this a much more enjoyable album to listen to. Listening to Black or White (a solid rocker if there ever was one), the almost melancholic Long Time with its haunting chord progression and the powerful title track is a pure joy now. Having been so put off due to the audio portion of this album originally, it’s almost like getting a brand new album to enjoy. Not to forget that this album does include a bonus track entitled One, this offering shows Daniel Band in fine form. Not a song to be overlooked!!

Of the two albums Rise Up is the stronger to these ears, but Running Out of Time definitely has its moments. Make no mistake this is pure Jesus Rock, straight ahead lyrically with plenty of fire and dogged determination musically that is just fabulous. Get ready to bang yer head one more time!

Check out CD Baby or Amazon pick up these Retroactive Reissues now!!

Rise Up 10 axes


Running Out of Time 8 axes

TERAMAZE - ANHEDONIA

Something is brewing in Australia and its name is Teramaze and courtesy of Nightmare Records they have delivered a long awaited follow-up to their nearly forgotten releases of 1995 & 1997. A long and tumultuous journey it has been, but here is AnhedoniA. Part progressive; part thrash; part melodic; all heavy metal.

As I’ve been spinning this disc my thoughts have been how to describe it. The band themselves say they’ve been influenced by artists such as Dream Theater, Tool and Pantera; taken directly from their website. At times you’ll Dimebags rhythmic influence or the vocal inflection of Sebastian Bach. A few of those influences can be heard undoubtedly, but by no means expect to hear simple adulation to those bands.

With a crisp and tight guitar sound that is simply relentless and precise without being lost in a wash of noise Dean Wells guitar playing is the scalpel that pierces the heart. The combination with Matthew Dawson have provided riffs and solos that really are world class, which rest right across the drumming of the late Julian Percy and bass playing of Tijon Lolis. This solid foundation provides a base on which vocalist Brett Rerekura soars atop with smooth tones and powerful projection.

The songs are an amalgam of technical proficiency and heavy metal bombast. The melodies offered by Rerekura tie the tracks together, while adding an almost hypnotic atmosphere to the songs. Soaring with Acts of Reparation, plowing along through AnhedoniA or driving through Black Circles, these songs grab a hold and force you to simply engage. Where the Dead Grow offers another blending of power and subtlety, the melody is almost creamy.

Strong production elements offer crisp guitars, tight drums, rolling bass and soaring vocals. A world class production is placed high on the altar for your musical enjoyment. A lyric sheet would’ve been helpful to this reviewer, but alas I guess PR departments can’t think of everything. One particular item of note is that the CD release has a bonus track entitled Ever Enhancing II. Mysterious and hypnotic, it would be a crime to simply say this is just an acoustic song (which it is) but the added elements of strings and the arrangement is haunting.

AnhedoniA is an absolutely killer melodic progressive metal release. Heavy in its onslaught but full of subtlety, Teramaze have given us a brilliant metal release for 2012. Thank you Nightmare Records! Let’s hope it won’t take this long for a follow up. Big thumbs up from here!

9 axes

SAINT - THE REVELATION

The Revelation is the latest metal fest Retroactive Records has issued for Saint; however some history is in order. In 2006 Saint released an album entitled The Mark. A concept disc based totally around the Book of Revelation. A strong album to be sure but with limited resources and with an inadequate studio mix; this record never reached its full potential.

However with the success of 2009’s Hell Blade, Richard Lynch and crew decided in 2011 to take this album back to the studio and remix it to give it the life it desperately needed. I believe they have achieved just that. With a fuller drum sound and more striking guitar attack this new version of The Mark now entitled The Revelation is a balls to the wall full on Heavy Metal platter that deserves your attention. It’s a heavier album than 2009’s Hell Blade, sorta like comparing Screaming for Vengeance and Painkiller. Both discs absolutely crank but each in their own ways.

Dee Harrington provides the guitar work on this album and he just nails it. The rhythm guitars are layered with drive and precision. Whether it’s on the straight forward opener The Spirit, mid tempo bruiser On and On, or former title track The Mark there is no shortage of stellar guitar play. Richard Lynch’s thunderous bass lines lock tightly with drummer Larry London which delivers a crushing rhythm section. Josh Kramer offers a stellar vocal performance on track after track.

Some of the heaviest material Saint has written resides here just listen to The 7th Trumpet and be prepared for some serious headbanging. Babylon the Great is another brutal power metal track that Saint delivers with passion and power. However I would be amiss if I failed to mention Saint attempt an anthemic ‘ballad’ here as well with the track He Reigns, solid and memorable. Great metal songs appear throughout and if your not as familiar with this album as you’d like you definitely will want to be.

Not only were the tracks completely remixed as previously mentioned, but they were remastered by the brilliant J Powell at Steinhaus. Powell's previous work is of note and his studio magic in making good discs sound their best sonically is already noted.

The Revelation is a must for any fan of Saint or fan of world class power metal. The comparisons to Judas Priest continue, but if you feel that Primal Fear has sold out and the thought of another Nostradamus makes you cringe grab your copy of The Revelation and be prepared for a metal onslaught that will make you smile.

8 axes

THE SACRIFICED - III

The latest album by The Sacrificed has arrived in my hot little hands and it delivers the proverbial goods. Entitled III, this is a more developed and mature band, the addition of Mike Phillips on lead guitar has helped take this band of Florida metal maniacs to the next level. Soaring into 2012 like a rocket into orbit.

The songs are heavy and strong with a few left turns along the way. Much has been speculated about the direction this album would take musically after influences such as ‘Progressive Metal’ and the band name ‘Symphony X’ came to light. Can I put some misconceptions to rest as this album by no means strikes me as a prog metal album. Heck only two songs clock in over 5 minutes! The rest are in the 3-4 minute range.

III is definitely a heavier album than the previous two Sacrificed releases. Songs like Ark of the Covenant is a total bone crusher for sure as is Behold the Power of God. This is full on power metal with many prog metal elements. Album opener Falling will get the ole hair swaying, the arranging is stellar with a wide swath of musical elements and time changes. The Nephilim Agenda hits like a Kenworth at 100 mph, crushing. Don't despair as their is still plenty of melody throught out this 11 song release.

A cover of Queensryche’s Before the Storm appears as well. A track that harkens all the way back to their Warning album of 1984. Earlier era Queensryche influences appear in spots. Words on the Gin causes The Sacrifice to power down a little, but the underlying current of power is quite evident. Its acoustic styling brings a sudden change of pace.

You won’t find a lot of simple melodies that immediately hook in, but you will find songs that demand a second and third listen. It’s one of those things; you realize this is top drawer material, but perhaps that first listen is over before you have a chance to digest it all. With that thought in mind prepare to be engaged, and make sure you have a lyric sheet in front of you as the topics are thoughtful and deep.

With production sounds much akin to their previous 2012, the biggest change is the guitar sound and playing that Mike Phillips has brought. Eli’s vocal is tremendous hitting those higher notes with ease, however a little more clarity in the mixing department would be of benefit. The drumming of Jay Williams is vicious and locks in with new comer bass player Daniel Cordova exceptionally well.

III is a full on metal assault that starts of 2012 in fine fashion. Grab a copy and bang your head right into the New Year in fine fashion. T-shirts anyone??????

8 axes.

RAMMAS ATAS - 'TIL LIFE DO US PART

Perhaps this review is a little late to the party but since I just received this album it’s better late than never! Rammas Atas immediately compares to Rammstein, Megahertz, Infected Mushroom and other industrial techno metal acts. ‘Till Life do us Part is title of their debut release on BullRoser Records, distributed in the USA by Youngside Records.

This album is heavy but groovy with a cavalcade of electronic beats courtesy of DJ Ridhu, but it’s the crunchy guitar of Arktos and brilliant bass playing of Corvus Candidus that drive this release into high gear. The extreme vocals delivered by Peach are a stark contrast to the beautiful melodies of Miss Terry that add another layer of musical bliss to this fine release.

Ten tracks of danceable and moshable nirvana await the listener here, with upbeat tempos and catchy melodies. The Christian world view shines brightly in the lyrical department, not necessarily evangelistic in nature, but thoughtful expressions of living one’s life and the hurt, joy and pain that come our way.

High production values accentuate the journey one will take when you give this album a listen. Not being a dance music fan myself, I found that I couldn’t help but spin this album repeatedly as the grooves, melodies and heavy guitar just grabbed me and fought their way into my playlist.

Rammas Atas have delivered an exceptional debut, if you want something that is a little different from the normal metal fare but still rocks just as hard Till Life Do Us Part is gonna be huge surprise for you. It was for me.


7 axes