STRONGHOLD - FORTRESS ROCK Born Twice Reissue

Born Twice Records, if you’re not already familiar, is a division of Retroactive Records with one purpose; to reissue Classic Jesus Music releases primarily prior to 1982. With that time frame caveat you might wonder if there was a lot of hard driving Christian Metal/Hard Rock released back then and you’d be surprised to know that there are several releases.

Enter Stronghold with their 1982 album, Fortress Rock. Originally released on a small Canadian label called Tunesmith (who also released some of the early Barnabas albums) this is an album that I used to hear about for YEARS! I mean that. When I first started listening to Christian rock which was 1983/84 this album was already out of print and impossible to find. However the name would come up from time to time and my question would always be, "What do they sound like?"

Well here I hold this reissue in my hand and it’s quite good. Even though Stronghold (originally from New York) issued this album in 1982 it feels more like an early to mid 1970’s hard rock album. Musically at times I found myself thinking of Blue Oyster Cult (another product of New York!), not ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’ but Seven Screaming Diz Busters, Astronomy or Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll. The arrangements and song structures had the same feel and power to these ears.

Some reviews claim a comparison with early Judas Priest (only their first album Rocka Rolla comes close) or Black Sabbath (?). The production values are actually quite well done for an early 80’s release, better than some of the more well known Christian albums issued at that time. Lyrically there is no mistake as to what they stand for, this is Jesus music remember?

J Powell at Steinhaus again does some master wizardry behind the mastering controls and helps to bring this release to life. Some nice reflections by drummer Jay Molina and a few cool photos are includes in the 6 panel digipak. 

The songs themselves are what you’d expect from a band of this time period, not written directly for commercial radio play. Fortress Rock is gritty and driving with a tinge of a prog feel at times, but mostly heavy and moody. This is heavier than Daniel Band or Jerusalem, if you’re a fan of 70’s hard rock this album is a must.

7 Axes

MENCHEN - IN THE LIGHT

Retroactive Records released this second Menchen album actually in 2012. In The Light is the title of this fine release of heavy metal wreckage. The players on this album include Robert Sweet on drums, Ken Redding on vocals (who sang on the first Menchen disc) and Cousin Bruce Menchen who handles the bass guitar duties.

These tracks are actually an amalgam of older material written for some of Bill’s older bands, Redeemer and Rev Seven. Having said that I will say, that doesn’t matter one iota; these songs have some great melodies that rock hard and heavy. I actually found this album to be a bit better than the first Menchen album. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but these songs seem a bit more energetic.

This doesn’t sound like a Titanic or The Seventh Power release (at least not a carbon copy), the songs themselves have some different arrangements and it really grabbed me the second or third time through. When looking at the song credits cousin Bruce has several credits where Bill does not (i.e. Don’t Leave, Remember My Chains, King or Liar) it just adds another dimension to the song writing. Straight ahead heavy metal with plenty of hooks.

Strong production elements which emphasize the pounding drums of Robert Sweet as they lock in with Bill Menchen’s crunchy guitar rhythms, just check out You’re Not Alone for exhibit A of this hammer head approach. Crushing.

In The Light is a solid album of bruising heavy metal with strong hooks that stay with you long after the album is done. They don’t break new ground musically, but you know what you’re gonna get; a loud album of straight ahead Christian heavy metal that makes no bones about their lyrical stance.

8 axes

MASS - VOICES IN THE NIGHT Retroactive Reissue

Mass is one of those bands like Y&T or Armored Saint, where everything is there; the talent, the songs, the work ethic; however main stream success just seems to elude them. In 1989 Michael Sweet of Stryper came on board to help produce Voices in The Night. The result was a stellar masterpiece of melodic 80’s heavy metal.

Retroactive Records has re-mastered and re-released this piece of classic metal history. Michael Sweet definitely seemed to add some punch in the producers chair as the presentation is straight ahead with plenty of vocal harmonies and several guitar harmonies. The songs themselves are extremely hook laden and will have you humming along (or singing along if you’re adventurous!).

Tracks like Reach For the Sky, Turn it All Around and the title cut brim with serious melodic appeal without going all syrupy and weak. They rock and bring some full on depth of song writing. Even the ballad Chance to Love avoids the syrup trap; this is the type of ballad that Stryper should’ve been writing (sorry I never was a fan of Stryper’s ballads).

I remember hearing this album back in 89 and really thought it was something special, but it seemed to get lost in the proverbial shuffle. Thankfully Retroactive brings this release back to the mainstream and they even add two bonus tracks! Still Of The Night and Stevie are added, one track was the bonus added to the original CD (the cassette didn’t have it) the other track was the Japan bonus track.

Lyrically Mass (short for Massachusetts their home state) are a clean and positive act. They shouldn’t be confused with a Christian rock band, but I will say that many of their lyrics I found could be interpreted that way. I suppose their association with Michael Sweet lends one to think they must be a Christian band. I found nothing remotely objectionable, in the liner notes this quote exists, “Mass – Music composed to unite the masses and arranged to inspire the individual.” Very appropriate.

Mass executes a solid hard rock attack that any fan of TNT, Stryper or Dokken. This re-issue benefits from the expertise of mastering guru J Powell at Steinhaus. His ear and velvet touch has brought out the best in many releases through the years and this album is no exception. Solid and clear with plenty of punch and drive, grab this album and rock yourself into a virtual euphoria. Hearing this album again has done it for me and I’m spinning a 9 axe review here.

9 axes

ABSOLON - DARKNESS RISING : THE TALE OF DEREK BLACKHEART

Never heard of Absolon? I hadn’t either but through the Christian Metal Realm I followed a couple of threads there and discovered that former Malachia/Vision vocalist Ken Pike was involved. Curiosity got the best of me and requested a copy of their debut CD ‘Darkness Rising – The Tale of Derek Blackheart.’ Ken had mentioned there had been some comparisons to Kamelot so I was even more intrigued.

Absolon self described this way, “Absolon… is a Symphonic/Goth Power Metal outfit. Influenced by old school metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Queensryche; and the newer Power Metal bands like Kamelot, Epica and Nightwish. Absolon has brought together a blend of metal that will please old school/European metal heads and Symphonic/Goth metal fans. We just call it Epic Metal.”

Darkness Rising: The Tale of Derek Blackheart is a well thought out and extremely well produced independent metal album. The songwriting is top notch and the performances are exceptional. Honestly I wasn’t sure if this album was gonna grab me or not, this is a concept album make no bones about it. To my delight the melodies here are soaring with plenty of superb guitar work courtesy of Ed Dumas. Grab is not the term to be used here, hook in is!

Concept albums don’t often lend themselves to the simple verse chorus verse chorus formula and this album is no different. Yet the melodies are hypnotic, Ken Pike never sounded better. Yes there are moments where his tonality reminds you of Queensryche but pay it never mind, that is how he sounds.

Songs like Pretender and Nail in the Head is almost hypnotic, strong European power metal with driving rhythms and explosive lead work. Contrast that with songs like Even Heroes Fall a bit of whimsy that exceeds in nuance and dynamics all the while moving the story of one Derek Blackheart’s fall into a pit of despair. Wonderful keyboard styling’s that expand the sound and add layers of depth which enhances the overall mood and feel of this release, but don’t worry the crunch of the guitar is definitely the driving force.

The lyrics tell the story of one Derek Blackheart, a kid who dreams of nothing more than being a heavy metal legend. The fable speaks of his ascendency and the emptiness that he realizes once he reaches the peak of his profession. This story ends badly but not without a lot of introspection and questioning of the meaning of things. Based on the classic story A Portrait of Dorian Gray with a modern interpretation, Absolon have scored a knockout.

You won’t find ten songs of Jesus saves; as a matter of fact you won’t find any direct mention of the Alpha and Omega. However His presence is there by his absence, there are several slight allusions that scream out to me as I read the enclosed lyrics. Without a doubt this is a cautionary tale, “What is it worth to have fame and fortune only to lose your soul; Derek Blackheart.” This is art that can be enjoyed by anyone, much like a Christian painter who paints landscapes. Similarly it reminds me of the old Rez Band tune Tears in The Rain from their Hostage album.

Darkness Rising: The Tale of Derek Blackheart is a melodic bit of heavy metal whimsy that is lyrically original and musically superior. Absolon have arrived in a big way. Fans of the aforementioned bands should really enjoy this; I know I am which is why I’m swinging 8 axes at this album.

You can check out their website at http://www.absolonrocks.com/

8 axes

RIZIN - IN RUINS

One thing I always enjoy is checking out a band that I’ve never heard of before, especially when I hear lots of positive comments by people who enjoy their music. After all if the band wasn’t very good the comments probably wouldn’t be in the majority of the positive scale. At least that’s my thinking, sorta like supply and demand.

I’ve found out to my personal satisfaction about some really good bands that way, Messenger stands out immediately. Well Rizin is another indie I received recently; In Ruins is the title of their debut release. The band was formed in January of 2012 and this disc was released in December of 2012.

Their bio indicates that their influences range from 80’s metal to current metal sounds. On first listen I thought some of their stuff reminded me of Jacob’s Dream. Perhaps because of vocalist Dave Kruse, his range is similar to Chaz Bond. The band itself makes no bones about being a Christian Metal band with ministry as its primary objective.

The band is pretty heavy, make no mistake about it; they definitely lean toward a more traditional metal vein. However the songs suffer from muddy production. I’ve listened to this disc in my truck, on my computer and on my home stereo (yes I still have one of those!). After the fifth listen or so I got a bit more acclimated to the overall sound of the disc and was able to listen to it a bit more objectively.

Tracks like 6:12, In Ruins and This Present Darkness have some rather intriguing musical ideas. They all have great energy, which can be said for most of the material here. The recording process is also the most even sounding on those three tunes, in my opinion. I realize that I’m probably stirring up a hornets nest for reaction here, but this is NOT a knock against their ministry just an evaluation of the CD they released.

Sometimes it just sounds like there is so much going on that there isn’t enough separation. The double kick drums just get lost in several of the songs where they come into play. The production hampers the vocals the most, where I can’t tell if they’re flat, off key, or just awash in a vocal effect. Nightmares & Dreamscapes and Dying Peace are where this stands out the most.

I would bet in a live setting Rizin probably gives a strong performance. In my opinion I think they would’ve been better served to record six tracks and strengthen them production wise while continuing to fine tune their song writing skills. I’m gonna swing 6 axes this way as I bet Rizin is better then what I’m hearing on this disc. However I’m sure there will be many who will disagree with me, it wouldn’t be the first time.

You can order Rizin’s album In Ruins from many of the usual online shops.

6 axes

BOARDERS - R-EXISTENCE Deluxe Edition

It always amazes me when I hear the quality of music put out in the Christian metal marketplace. The vast majority of releases are rather good and by that I mean they are at least of the same quality as their secular counterparts. The tag ‘Christian Metal’ does not mean an inferior product in either the production or talent category. It also doesn’t mean that the lyrical content will be predictable tripe.

A song doesn’t have to be a three minute salvation tract in order to be ‘Christian’ does it? I think not; after all 1 Corinthians 13 is not known as the ‘salvation chapter’ is it. So to those whose view of what constitutes a Christian release is of a very narrow lyrical content probably won’t like this latest release from Boarders. R-Existence Deluxe Edition explores many different topics from a distinctly Christian point of view.

Exploring a wide array of subjects such as lying, standing against the world’s conventions, hatred, social injustice, Boarders opens a wide plethora of intellectual subjects that scream for self introspection. Not your usual fair lyrically, but Boarders seems to be a band willing to take risks. First off they originally released R-Existence as a free download over a year ago. A full complete metal album, free.

Musically R-Existence is a heavier release then their previous The World Hates Me. I was hard pressed to find any AC/DC influence on this album, having said that; the fact that this band used to be a Megadeth tribute band shouldn’t be a surprise after giving this album a spin. The influence of Megadeth is definitely there (think So Far So Good…. So What…. era), but Boarders makes it their own; not just a second rate rip off.

Whether its ripping through such bits of metal whimsy as Signs of Resistance or IV Reich (featuring Annihilator guitar Jeff Waters) or the pounding steel of The Agony of Lying, Boarders delivers a bit of thinking mans metal. I’m still surprised when I hear Lightbringer with its strong harmonies and quoted comments by Martin Luther King, unexpected but definitely a strong moment.

The songs are stronger and rock a bit harder with even higher quality musicianship. This CD release has a better sound quality then the free download, by far; richer sound with greater depth. Not to mention that this deluxe edition has five extra tracks. One instrumental, an acoustic version of the track Pure Gold with female vocals offered by Mariangela Scafati. This Time starts off sounding rather weak but the band delivers a powerful pseudo-ballad moment. Two demo’s from the band previous album are also included Deliver You Back to Hell and For What It’s Worth.

R-Existence is a solid slab of raging heavy metal. Thanks to Roxx Records you can grab this full album with some nice extras. If you want something with more intellectual acumen to go along with your screaming guitars R-Existence is without a doubt an album you must own.

8 axes