HERO - AFTERLIFE

After a four year absence Hero has returned with a follow up to 2009’s Immortal. One must wonder why it takes so long for some artists to release new music, especially in this age of keeping in the public eye or descending into oblivion. One need not worry as this delay has not altered the Hero sound or presentation one bit.

Afterlife is full of dark gothic melodic metal that is sure to please old fans and make many new ones as well. The music is extremely catchy with plenty of hooks and memorable melodies. If anything Afterlife picks right up where Immortal left off. Michael Hero’s baritone vocal is right there and delivers a strong performance. The guitars are right up front and crunch right along.

Opening with Now Tears are Falling right through Beautiful to the albums tour de force The Dark one thing is for sure, Hero can still put it together and deliver powerful music. This swirling cacophony of gothic metal is going to remain a top player on your music device for a long time to come.

Lyrically Hero delves into areas of the dark places in this world. How we handle the pain of this existence and what comes from it. Who is this person we find within us when we look the mirror and is there an answer to it. The albums center piece The Dark is a declaration of rejection aimed at the Prince of the Power of the Air, wrapped in a delightfully minor key aria.

The sound seems more defined this out on the production side and less boomy. The kick drum is more defined. Afterlife has plenty of atmospherics and dynamics which seem to shine a bit more this time around.

Afterlife is solid metal offering which offers more than a heavy metal experience. This release brings words of life and encouragement to a troubled and shackled world desperate for release. Fans of HIM and other assorted gothic metal acts should find plenty to cheer about here.

8 axes.

DANIEL AMOS - ALARMA! Deluxe Version Born Twice Records

Music is a funny thing. 

At a certain point in time an artist that doesn’t resonate with you can, many years later, weave itself into your psyche. When this happens you start to wonder why it never did before. After all the music didn’t change but quite obviously something did, oh yeah that would be me! It always amazes me when that happens and it allows me to start to enjoy an entire new catalog of music.

Daniel Amos is one of those artists that never quite endeared itself to me back during their apex. Yes many of you who know my preferences for screaming loud heavy metal will point at that and say, “Well obviously duh!!” I’m not so sure that is the root of the issue. Unknown too many of you I was an avid fan of Steve Taylor and Undercover, following them from their first and second releases onward.

Not the same you say? Possibly but listening to Alarma! These many years removed have left me scratching my head as why I missed riding the wave.

I could sit here and spin accolades about how much genius Terry Taylor and company display as I listen and read the lyrics and accompanying booklet enclosed.  However if you’re a fan of Daniel Amos you’re already aware and wondering what took me so long all I can say is it’s never too late. Even then Taylor was speaking out against the plastic popular society and Christian culture, that despite claims to the contrary, was and has embraced philosophies and methodologies from said society.

The last track on the originally released album Ghost of the Heart asks the most poignant question;

“Way back in my heart, is the motive for this

I ask the question, did I do this for self?

I need the light on, the monster of vanity gets

Frightened by the Ghost of the heart”

What more can be said?

Musically how would you describe to a newbie what DA sounds like on this release?  The Beatles meets The Cars, Devo, Beach Boys with a touch of Tom Petty and throw it in a blender??? Yet on the other side is something rather unique and altogether engaging. 

This double disc release from Born Twice Records is the full monte as it were. It is a complete tour de force that has brought me into the DA fold with arms open wide and sniffing around for more. When a release forces me to (not really forces but you get my meaning) to the artist website to ingest a back story that I missed. It even reminded me of two Daniel Amos concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area that I missed to my chagrin.

Disc one is the complete Alarma! album remastered by J Powell at Steinhaus. The genius behind the frequencies gets this album sounding pristine and well defined.

Disc two however is a complete gem as it contains 21 tracks of previously unreleased demos, outtakes, several alternate mixes and a reading of the Alarma! story by Malcolm Wild (at least the prologue and part of the first chapter). The preproduction demos are a cool insight into the whole recording process. These types of demos are usually put together so the artist can share with the label the elements of the songs to be put on the album.

There is also a three song mainstream demo which features the tracks Little Things, Off My Mind and As Long as I Live.  The first two songs definitely fall into the Tom Petty category while As Long as I Live is pure surfer rock.

If this is your first exposure to Daniel Amos you can plunge in head first and enjoy the ride. But if you’re a long time fan you’ll want to add this release for the second disc if not for the completist in you. Daniel Amos were ground breakers in their hey day and with a brand new album out now, add this gem from their past to your Christian Music Library. A classic…

(axe designation withheld because it falls outside the normal metal music reviewed.... kinda hard to compare apples and oranges..)

GIDEON'S ARMY - WARRIORS OF LOVE (Legacy Edition)

Gideon’s Army was a San Francisco Bay Area based rock/hard rock band dating back to the 70’s.  Warriors of Love was originally released in 1985. Retroactive Records has been able to remaster and re-release this lost and forgotten gem of Christian Music. Perhaps with one of the most iconic covers in the history of the genre.

Perhaps it’s my loss that I never had a chance to see Gideon’s Army in concert during the 80’s.  I don’t remember them ever playing clubs but primarily performed as a prison ministry and I’m sure there were church concerts as well but alas I guess I wouldn’t be able to connect.

That all being said Warriors of Love is solid album of 80’s infused Bay Area rock/hard rock. Trending ground similar to later Jefferson Starship, Journey and more commercialized Night Ranger. Hooks are abundant as are the keyboards and synthesized sounds that permeate this release, yet they take a back seat to the guitar driven solos throughout.

With easily accessible  and immediately memorable songs such as Moment by Moment, Runaway and Backsliding Brother it’s a wonder why this group wasn’t signed to one of the major Christian labels back in the day. Another of the great mysteries in my mind that continues to baffle as to why almost none of the SF Bay Area bands were ever signed (save for Veil of Ashes).

The title track itself is a precursor of the power ballad but strikes with more energy then most of their later contemporaries.  This is a strong song that demands a repeat play right after listening, and I’m not a ballad guy at all. A few quirky pop moments appear in the form of No Fun and Video complete with drummer Jerry Anderson playing Simmons drums.

Recorded in Hayward’s Master track Studio (if memory serves correctly. The same place Soldier would record their classic Babylon tape) there is reverb a plenty but that was the sound at the time. Once again the genius of J Powell at Steinhaus has breathed fresh life into a recording that has accepted the infusion of clarity well and is better for it.

Thanks to Dave Johnson who tipped Retroactive Records about Gideon’s Army desire to see this material reissued. I for one am glad that its here and now we can enjoy it for posterity. Fans of 80’s rock n roll will want to add this solid slab of rock to their musical library.

8 axes

VENGEANCE RISING - HUMAN SACRIFICE 25th Anniverary Picture Disc

Vengeance Rising’s Human Sacrifice is the greatest Christian Thrash Metal album ever recorded. I realize it’s been said before and more than once by me.  However not only was it the first of its kind but the reality is, it was (and still is) an epic release!

            Roxx Records has undertaken a special release in time for this landmarks 25^th anniversary.  A full on picture disc limited to only 300 pressed!! Whenever I hear the magic words “only so many pressed” I get nervous because I know that many of you, like me, are collectors who really want the coolest stuff and believe me this is one of the COOLEST!! There are some other goodies that come with this including picks, stickers.

 J Powell at Steinhaus remastered this slab of metal history specifically for vinyl and man does it sound good. The warmth is there with full lower end without sacrificing clarity.  J Powell has an unbelievable ability to make so many of these older releases sound as vital and powerful as ever.  The guitars of Larry Farkas and Doug Thieme on I Love Hating Evil sound just as loud as ever, perhaps even more intense.  Roger Martins bombastic bass delivers the goods on Fill This Place With Blood and Burn with a rich and pulsating dynamic power. Glenn Mancaruso’s drums sound as full and dynamic as ever with a little more punch in the kick drum.

            Revisiting this album in depth after so long is just a reminder to me of what Christian metal was like back in 1987 (a year before this albums release). There was nothing! And I mean nothing in Christian music that competed with the Slayers, Metallica’s or Megadeth’s of the world (let alone the Dark Angel’s or Kreator’s). When people thought of Christian Metal they thought of Stryper and Calling on You or Honestly. Not exactly bang yer head start a pit type stuff.

            Living in the San Francisco bay area during that time I longed for an album I could share with my non Christian friends that was heavy and brutal.  I’d seen VR twice in Southern California and I knew these guys were the real deal. Not only were they one of the tightest bands I’d ever seen, but they MOVED and totally thrashed on stage. It was incredible as I never saw Slayer do that or Metallica or Megadeth (or Testament or Forbidden Evil or Death Angel.)

            When this album came out on Intense in the late summer of 1988 (I bought mine from vocalist Roger Martinez, right out of the box at the beginning of second HIS Festival) it just blew everyone away. I mean everyone; this wasn’t a rehash of old Metallica riffs or a piece of sonic dog doo. This was WORLD CLASS THRASH METAL that was more over the top then most of their secular counter parts.

The ominous intro to White Throne, a pile driving tour de force that is Beheaded, the chunky bob and weave of Mulligan’s Stew, the sonic cacophony that is the instrumental Ascension (which they brought on stage a full group of acrobatic skateboarders at C-Stone in 1990 or was it 89?).

 Human Sacrifice started a movement that was brewing under the surface in Christian music. It stretched the boundaries about a million miles about what defined “Christian” music, let alone metal. These guys did not make a dime for their efforts but instead left a legacy that continues to this day. Every extreme metal act out there with a Christian worldview owes their gratitude to the trail blazers in this genre and like Resurrection Band; Vengeance Rising has that mantle placed on them.

Grab a piece of Christian Metal history and pick up this fabulous picture disc. You won’t regret it.

10 axes (the album itself is a classic)

DEUTERONOMIUM - THE AMEN

Deuteronomium is back with a bulldozer of an album. This latest release is entitled The Amen and it hits like a semi truck. Their early material to me was such a treat, describing it as ‘death and roll.’  Heavy duty rock n roll infused death metal riffs, with the gargling glass vocals of Miika Partala.  At times almost feeling groovy yet never swaying completely away from death metal.

Their last album Deathbed Poetry was full on death metal, except clean vocals were used to the disappointment of some (but not this reviewer). That release also saw very little of the rock n roll vibe of earlier releases. The Amen takes a big swig of that earlier death n roll vibe and just crushes it out.

Dead Man Dancing opens this disc and it simply rules. The guitars blast away and the vibe just grabs you, moving into In the Midst of Lions is another strong mix of death metal with a pseudo groove rock n roll. The riffs are strong and deliver the strength of a cement truck (are you getting the idea this is a heavy platter of metal goodness??)

Jehovah Sabaoth is one of the faster paced tracks and demands your attention. You can just see the windmills and hair flying, but lyrically this bit of metal whimsy is a praise track.  A haunting metal melody of the lower keys is present that adds a particularly ominous feeling to the entire proceeding.

Of note is also that many of the tracks fall into that classic Deuteronomium time frame of 2 – 3 ½ minutes. Yeah there are some tracks that are longer (Hymn of a Lost) stretches out to over eight minutes! But for the most part Deuteronomium hits it hard and fast with out losing the listener in a wash of musical carnage.

With a tight production that favors the guitars in a solid package, each instrument has place in the mix with a powerful rhythm section that carries the freight. The aforementioned Hymn for example is perfect example of that strong arm drumming by Janne Jussi Kontoniemi, his kick drum plows the road ahead.  The overall sound of this release is exceptional.

Lyrically this album defines the nature of a Christian Death Metal act, or as they would say “Death Metal with LIFE!”  Jesus is praised and God is honored with the content of each song, check out Psalm 117 for a quick example. Understand this is a world class release that will have metal heads world wide raising their fists and banging their heads with joy.

Finland’s Deuteronomium have done it again with a high quality release of world class metal music. Hard to imagine that they’ve been at this for twenty years but I could find no better way to celebrate that anniversary than with an album such as this. Grab a copy of The Amen and see you down front! T-shirts please!!

8 axes

AGONAL -A SUFFERING COMPLETE

Agonal, according to their Facebook page is the brain child of one Jon Francis. This release the third in a trilogy is entitled A Suffering Complete. A Suffering Complete is a solid album musically with elements of symphonic doom mixed in with extreme and clean vocals, along with a healthy dose of melody.

Even though there is keyboard for those symphonic elements, the guitars carry the freight.  No, you won’t find many guitar solos, but the layering of musical elements was done well enough that I never wondered when a solo break was coming. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a very upfront and loud six string rythym section, well recorded and quite defined. 

This release, at times, is very reminiscent of My Silent Wake. Not quite as melancholy where MSW uses more reverb for atmopherics and other acoustic instruments, Agonal relies soully upon their songwriting. There are some good solid dynamics that

are apparent within many of the songs, Fall Unto Me for example. However there are plenty of just hard hitting tracks such as The Final Sunset.

The sound quality is quite good and just in passing I originally thought this was a complete band. I had no idea it was a one man band, with a few guest musicians.  If I hadn’t looked it up I wouldn’t have guessed that the drums were programmed, I’m usually pretty good at picking them out but not this time.

Agonal, A Suffering Complete is bombastic and heavy which for a symphonic doom release is just what the doctor ordered.  Grab a copy of this through Sanctus Gladius and ride the crushing hammer of doom!!

7 axes

METAL FOR JESUS Compilation

Metal for Jesus is an album of incredible music but also an incredible message. Featuring tracks from Narnia, Golden Resurrection, Audiovision, Divinefire and Modest Attraction this seventeen song album is a great collection to give to your unbelieving friends.

Johannes Jonsson is the driving force behind this release along with Christian Liljegren. The Metal for Jesus album is a musical tract with songs picked especially for their lyrical content. However that shouldn’t dissuade anyone, as from a musical point of view this album shreds. In conjunction with the Metal Bible this album should provide a great introduction to Christian Metal.

From symphonic metal, melodic metal, neo classical metal and hard rock this album contains a large swath of styles that should appeal to a vast audience.  Believers who desire to have an album of pure Christ based content should find this album to be a breath of fresh air from those releases that force you to wonder if they’re Christians or not.

For those of us who want an album of pure Jesus Metal this album is truly for you. From the Metal For Jesus website Johannes wrote this,

“Lots of prayers have been going into this album to make sure that the right tracks were chosen and right comments written so that it should be everything God wanted it to be. We want Jesus to be glorified and we dedicate this album to Him! Focus on the album is totally on God and what Christian faith is all about. Booklet contains salvation prayer and comments by me where I explain the lyrics and talk about God's mercy, why Jesus is the only way to God, second coming of Jesus, prayer and how to get to know Jesus and overall what true Christian faith is all about.”

I myself  believe this album to be a great listen. It’s encouraging and uplifting and I get rocked out at the same time. Great musicianship and quality recordings completely remastered. This album is definitely one to give your friends.

TRACK LIST:

Narnia - People of the Bloodred Cross
Narnia – Living Water
Narnia – Long Live The King
Audiovision – The Way (Stryper cover)
Audiovision – We Will go
Divinefire – Divinefire
Divinefire – Live My Life For You
Golden Resurrection – Proud To Wear The Holy Cross
Modest Attraction – Down On My Knees
Golden Resurrection – The Final Day
Golden Resurrection – God’s Mercy
Divinefire – Never Surrender
Golden Resurrection – Flaming Youth
Golden Resurrection - Golden Resurrection
Divinefire – Open Your Eyes
Divinefire – Bright Morning Star
Divinefire – The Way To Eternity 

Here is more information about how to obtain this album from the Metal For Jesus website:

"Metal For Jesus album is available to order worldwide directly from me. I sell it for $15 + $5 shipping all around the world. Send payment to Paypal account: johannes@metalforjesus.org and I'll ship it right away.

If you live in Sweden you can also get it from my Christian Metal Shop Metal Community

The Metal For Jesus album is also strongly connected to The Metal Bible and features info about it and how to get it."