| Musical Style: Progressive Rock | Produced By: Ron Willes & Steve Sawatsky |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Canada |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: Ariel |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 53:40 |
With its name meaning ‘Lion of God’ in Biblical Hebrew, the bar is set high for Ariel- and it delivers in the form of its excellent spring of 2025 independent third full length album Two Voices Strong. The Victoria, BC based group traces to 1983 when lead vocalist and drummer Steve Sawatsky founded it with the goal of ‘relaying the Gospel message through quality music’. Said objective realized with the 1984 release to the Ariel 7-track custom cassette EP He Comes in addition to the ‘soft metal’ (quoting the review from White Throne issue 3) to its full length self-titled vinyl debut from two years later on Ariel Records.
Due to time constraints Ariel disbanded in 1989 and went on extended hiatus until reforming thirty years later with three of its original members: Steve Sawatsky (maintaining his vocal and drum duties but with bass added to his repertoire), Lisa Sawatsky (lead vocals) and Ron Willes (guitar, keyboards and bass). Ariel sophomore full-length effort Sorrows To Seven followed in December of 2021, which derived from ‘vintage AOR meets eighties melodic hard rock (but with) progressive rock subtleties and a touch of the blues’ (quoting the 85% Angelic Warlord review).
Whereas all the above musical forms manifest on Two Voices Strong, Ariel expands upon its progressive repertoire (track times average in the six to seven minute range) to extent EchoVerse and Time Horizon invite comparison. Neal Morse also deserves mention in that Ariel exhibits similar levels of musical diversity, albeit it sidesteps any penchant for twenty minute plus ‘mega epics’. Yet, when Ariel ups heaviness to hard rock territory impression is of Shadow Gallery, and all the more so in light of its every bit notable affinity for recognizable at once melodies.
Seven-minute opener “Kingdom Riches” is a good indicator of the newfound progressive Ariel sound. It instantly launches at intent and upbeat, rippling with its layered bass and concentrated drums - resonating albums burnished production in the process - but viscid in light of the AOR tinctured melody adhering in punctual form. Steve Sawatsky’s graceful classic tenor voice walks a fine line between that of Kyle Graves (EchoVerse) and David Bradley Mau (Time Horizon). Lyric snippet:
Kingdom riches past measure
Mountain of Eternal God, all will see
Healing river flows from throne,
We sing praises more and more
He loves His own
Lying dragon, crushed by His heel, cast out
Judgement, truth is revealed
Son of David, He holds the key
Faithful Witness eternity
“Overcome” ensues of similar span but with a heavier rocking platform. Verse sections flowingly groove to another eminent bass line only to see refrain bursting at once, as unhesitant rhythm guitar actuates in to set the more plainspoken tone. In between, an incredibly catchy, blues infused Aerosmith meets Bride style guitar riff makes periodic appearance. It cannot be understated manner in which the group’s melodic distinctions continue to play a resolved role.
“Trust Him” caries over the progressive signatures its six-minute span. It initiates to a concise drum solo ahead of flowing at a fast-paced tempo, trending rock territory as opposed to hard rock as rhythm guitar plays a diminished role, albeit not backing from the melody tinged basis (rich vocal melodies draw upon AOR). It deserves equal note the skilled work of Willes, who imbues backend seventies style organ with more current symphonic keyboards. Lyric snippet:
Guilty before Him we are to blame
Birth of Wisdom fear His Name
All have sinned and fallen by the ways of misery
We did not know Him blinded by lies
A man of sorrows we did despise
Righteous Servant, He bears our wrongs and carries all our shame
Trust Him, who has given His Son for sin
Raised up, conquered the grave, gave life within
Give us life
Albums title track returns to seven-minute territory. “Two Voices Strong” finds rhythm guitar also making a heavier impact, grounding sharpened verse sections with swarthy keyboards and immersing refrain in which the groups sublime vocal melodies again speak of the enlivening. Willes’ blues soloing and daring rhythm guitar take command of the elevated instrumental run.
“Buried” is first song in the five-minute range. It represents one of albums fastest, mercurially powering its span to an uplifted tempo, and catchiest, the groove driven melody instantaneously captures in conveying the radio friendly. All the while, more than enough rhythm guitar imbues to touch upon hard rock. No, this might not be one of albums more progressive, but it ranks alongside the finest (I dare you to keep the forthright hooks from your mind). Lyric snippet:
King of peace, enters through the veil
Once for all, over sin prevail
Word made flesh, Life of light will shine
Sacrifice, truth and love defined
There is rest in Him
Trust Him to the end
Stay within His goodness, goodness
Down, dead, now raised with Him
Up, alive, dead to sin
The Ariel musical diversity shines on “The Gathering II”. Song takes a lighter tone, conveyed by classical guitar and ethereal keyboards over a foundation of violin to create a medieval effect. Imagine a combining of Wytch Hazel and Kansas. It also cannot be understated Steve Sawatsky’s moving vocals. For those wondering, “The Gathering II” is a remake of “The Gathering” appearing on the self-titled debut.
“By Him” revisits catchy hard rock territory not unlike “Buried”. It begins in unhesitating fashion, charging with its deep-rooted mid-paced impetus, but also punctual in terms of the prompt hooks to persuade on initial listen. Off the charts melody helps invite the well-deserved Shadow Gallery comparison. Steve Sawatsky underpins the strapping scene with his practiced timekeeping. Lyric snippet:
By Him all things are made
Heaven and earth are weighed
From the first dead living
Fullness of God giving
We have hope to believe
Paid in full reprieve
Son of God His mercy
King of peace is worthy
Word become flesh
Divine grace and truth.
“Jesus Redeemer” comes across in the form of a six-minute (and quite heartfelt hymn). Basic but not simplistic, song regally flows to radiant guitar and moving vocals in setting a worshipful tone, noting the feathery ‘Jesus Redeemer, the cross, mercy and grace for the lost’ refrain. Melody is on the same inviting level as albums preceding material.
Five minute “When He Returns” closes things. As a mid-paced AOR tinged melodic rocker, I find it albums least distinguished, which means it is still quite good but in my opinion not on similar level as its eight Two Voices Strong cohorts. Point being it is the lone song here I merely like as opposed to love. No, nothing wrong with that, but I also wish Ariel stretched and pushed its progressive boundaries by ending with an ambitious nine to ten minute ‘epic’ instead. Lyric snippet:
When he returns Consuming flame
Mountain high we lift up His Name
King of Glory hope defend
Kingdom here there is no end
Striving depriving our souls to the dust
Bleeding misleading our notions to rust
Believe in his Name, heaven proclaim
Son of His love.
In interested in a progressive rock album with strong hard rock leanings suffused with high levels of melody then look no further than Ariel third full length offering Two Voices Strong. I accordingly cannot say enough good things about the choice songwriting, not to mention the top-notch musicianship and transparent production. I cannot help but feel the future is exceedingly bright for Ariel, noting how I wait with eager anticipation any album it records in follow up.
Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Kingdom Riches” (6:50), “Overcome” (6:45), “Trust Him” (6:13), “Two Voices Strong” (7:10), “Buried” (5:19), “The Gathering II” (4:25), “By Him” (5:47), “Jesus Redeemer” (5:56), “When He Returns” (5:15)
Musicians
Steve Sawatsky - Lead & Backing Vocals, Drums & Percussion & Bass Guitar
Ron Willes - Guitar, Bass, Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Lisa Sawatsky - Lead & Backing Vocals
