Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock	Produced By:
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website:
Tracks: 11	Rating: 95%
Running Time: 58:22

The only real connection Applehead sophomore album The Light Side Of The Apple has to 1992 Ocean Records debut full length Meaning is the groups storied name, because it is nowhere near as modern and grunge aligned when placed alongside.  Rather, the September of 2023 Roxx Records released The Light Side Of The Apple could not differ more with a straightforward metal and hard rock basis, albeit not without reflecting occasional hints of the 90’s sound in which Applehead traces its roots.

Applehead remains the project of Greg Minier, whom gained initial renown for the two albums he released as part of crossover punk-thrash band The Crucified and lone self-titled thrash based solo album from 1990.  The Light Side Of The Apple follows a pattern somewhat akin to Meaning as a ‘one man band’ project in that Minier handles lead vocals and majority of the instrumentation (‘various broken and half-broken guitars, basses, amps, pedals, drums and the like’ quoting albums liner notes).  Bassist Jaymi Millad (Mark Slaughter Band) rounds out The Light Side Of The Apple line up.

Perhaps it is due to closed-minded thinking or misplaced musical bias on my part, but I foolishly overlooked The Light Side Of The Apple at the time of its release thinking it to be a modern rock album to fall outside the sites style guidelines.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  What we have instead is a work that wile has noted derives upon metal and hard rock, also finds Minier extending his musical boundaries to include power metal, progressive rock, doom metal, groove-metal and stoner rock.

Artist proves brilliant at coalescing such manifold musical forms in that The Light Side Of The Apple songwriting could not be more well thought out, inspired and better conceived.  You can tell upon first listen the artist literally bled his heart and soul into the albums material when factoring how each song brings that unique riff, hook and melody to stand apart from the rest and coerce you to return time and again.  Hope I am not out of line to suggest The Light Side Of The Apple has potential to rank alongside the finest classics of the past!

Album starts with a band to “Raze Hell”.  One need listen to the opening ireful guitars to understand the severe trajectory at hand, with verse sections dipping slightly to an almost doom-like tingeing but refrain retrieving the rabid impulse in pointing to the serrated.  I appreciate how the instrumental section slows to quietly placed guitar and piano only to pick up impetus as eloquent soloing maneuvers in.

First single “Down” reflects some of those 90’s nuances with a slight down tuned sound.  Guitars crunch with every bit much authority nonetheless, as low end conveys of the pronounced - it cannot be understated manner in which clean production allows Millad’s grooving bass to separate in the mix - and hooks make a commercial statement despite the angst to impress.  Guitar leads take a fitting bluesy tone.  Lyric snippet:

He pulled me up from the pit
Delivered me from my crime
Your mud and mire couldn’t hold me
Your junkie wouldn’t roll me this time

I had a new song to sing
As He set my feet on solid ground
Blessed is the one who trusts in Him
To no longer let you bring him down

No frills metal cut “Worthless Words” combines overpowering bass with unremitting energy and venom.  It proves seething in this capacity, as Minier’s powerful mid-ranged vocal qualities (noting the occasional piercing scream) align with the heated complexion. Yet, despite the ebullient character, unmistakable melody rise above to speak of the acquisitive.

One of my album favorites is “Pretty Creepy”, because, well, it is.  Song revels in the darkly woven, sinister and haunting, as vocals range from fittingly spoken word to mirroring a gritty Alice Cooper like quality and melody elevates with a near radio friendly quality to contrast with the crestfallen vestiges.  Hope I am not out of line to suggest this would sound at home on Bride’s Silence Is Madness.  Lyrics based upon Samson & Delilah:

I was the strongest man that she’d ever seen
Took down a lion, snapped blinds like strings
But she was the one to take the first round
Scissored my brawn to take me down

How did I misjudge, mistake my opponent
Beauty was blinding and I thought I owned it
She sold me out, my pride it brought me shame
Could it all have been right there in her name

Ensuing is what I like to refer to as the ‘rain suite’.  It begins with “And Then The Rain Comes Down”, a hard rock semi ballad with a tough as nails emotional allure home to keyboards orchestration and guitars both softer and perseverant.  Occasional growled vocals in the backend build upon the melancholic (and highly melodic) scene.  Of note is how the song highlights a smoother side to Minier’s vocal delivery.

It also includes “In Pouring Rain”, a classic metal ballad emphasizing firmer guitars and shorter span (three and half minutes as opposed to five) but intrinsic to equal doses of paramount melody and introspective residue.  Despite the wistful focus, the song points to the uplifting both musically (another inspiring vocal performance) and lyrically:

In pouring rain, I fought the good fight
In pouring rain, my faith it took flight
In pouring rain, I bared it all
No sin was too great or too small

Baptized my flesh
Died leaving my old life
As I picked up God’s might sword
And His reign began to pour

I initially thought “A Harmonic Minor” a classically influenced instrumental upon first glance at the track listing only to be surprised to find it a metal anthem bursting of passion and energy.  The opening seconds bring a heavy set mentality (check out the sledgehammer drumming) that when combined with the raspy vocal focus I am reminded of Italian semi-thrash band Boarders.  The comparison is well placed in that the song proves incredibly catchy (refrain entices upon first listen) but equally substantial (noting the acute riff edges and powering bass driven instrumental moments).  One of albums highlights for sure.

Speaking of which, my favorite is thirteen minute progressive based “The Destiny”, which breaks down into three distinct ‘parts’ pasted back-to-back-to-back (somewhat akin to a Neal Morse epic) that combine for a complementary whole.  Lyrically, it offers a sweeping overview of Biblical history starting with the Old Testament prior to moving on to the Crucifixion, Resurrection and ultimate Second Coming.

First “Redemptio” covers half the span with a highly motivated straight on metal form to see catchy riffs and tireless initiative prevail alongside periodic quieter moments.  I do not intend to overstate things, but as song peaks halfway in, assured guitars power forward to generate a raw energy pointing to Guns N’ Roses.  Lyric snippet:

They sat in the garden naked
Only one fruit they couldn’t eat
Good and evil hung on the branch
The serpent told her to take a piece

And then He came, the One to save God’s people
Mary’s boy the Son of Man
A carpenter’s son, the King of Kings, a baby to the throne

Six hours he hung unable to take more
Committed His spirit and opened the doors
It is finished.

Second “Resurrexit Et Vivit” covers the next five in hearkening back to “Pretty Creepy” with a plodding sound featuring whispered narration reminding of Bride epic “Heroes” (off Live To Die), while third “Ultima Pugna” at a minute and half sums things up in a seventies hard rock direction to fleet momentum and rollicking heart and soul to go in hand.  Lyric snippet:

This story if victory the news needs to be spread
Glory be to my Father to You the glory
Fulfilled the prophecy
Here I stand I’m more than just a man
Brought the light and opened the gates
Save the souls

The sun turned black, the moon red like blood
The seven seals are open and the time’s come to judge
Michael leads the army, the Son on His white stead
The war for Heaven ends
With the beast on his knees

I wish to close the review with an apology to the artist, label, fans and Angelic Warlord readers for overlooking Applehead sophomore release The Light Side Of The Apple.  To make amends I completed a belated (and much deserved) glowing review, while adding it to my article outlining the top 25 albums from 2023 (tied in second place with Signum Regis’ Undivided).  Inspired lyrics and songwriting, excellent production and choice musicianship form the basis to what in my opinion has potential to be a classic.  If for whatever reason you passed on The Light Side Of The Apple, I strongly encourage you to make it a priority purchase. 

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Raze Hell” (5:28), “Down” (4:29), “Worthless Words” (4:02), “Pretty Creepy” (4:26), “And Then The Rain Comes Down” (5:21), “In Pouring Rain” (3:28), “A Harmonic Minor” (4:38), “The Destiny: I. Redemptio” (6:41), “The Destiny: II. Resurrexit Et Vivit” (4:48), “The Destiny: III. Ultima Pugna” (1:40)

Musicians
Greg Minier - Lead Vocals, Guitars and Drums
Jaymi Millard - Bass