| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: Darkhorse Hero |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: |
Introduced in 2019 with the eighties influenced metal and hard rock of its independent self-titled debut full length, Darkhorse Hero carries over a similar musical aptitude on its October of 2021 second independent release Mixtape Volume 2: Living For A Bigger Kingdom. Also unchanged is how Darkhorse Hero remains the project of St. Joseph, Missouri based vocalist, guitarist and bassist Andrew Gazaway, a preachers son who grew up listening to Christian rock initially in the form of Petra (science fiction themed cover art to the debut gives it away) and later DeGarmo & Key, Daniel Band, Jerusalem and others. Gazaway developed the vision for Darkhorse Hero from his decision to ‘(dedicate) my voice and hands to Jesus as a young child’, with the resulting inspiration leading to songs that he ‘hopes encourages those who don't know Jesus to seek Him and those who do to continue fighting everyday for His Kingdom.’
‘Eighties influenced metal and hard rock’ might be an open-ended statement, but as it applies to Darkhorse Hero encompasses both the melodic, indicating an accessible and commercial slant to artists songwriting, and heavier, that of a traditional to classic variety, side of things. Gazaway’s multifarious vocal abilities play no small role in this regard either way, referencing his affinity for a soaring classic tenor form akin to Michael Sweet (Stryper) and that powerful and mid-ranged similar to Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.). That said, when placed alongside Darkhorse Hero, Living For A Bigger Kingdom finds Gazaway branching out and adding neo-classical metal, classic rock, instrumental rock and even progressive metal to his musical repertoire.
Opener “Morning Star” represents everything that works well with Living For A Bigger Kingdom. It leaves a neo-classical metal impression, opening to Gregorian chanting ensued by a medieval tinted (and quite enticing) melody intertwined with piccolo (courtesy of guest musician Miguel Vargas) and Gazaway’s varied vocals ranging from courser to smooth. Wytch Hazel cannot help but come to mind. Lyrics reflect a worshipful allure:
Holy, Holy
Mighty in battle
Lord of all
We stand in wonder
Before your hallowed thrown
Weep no more child of God
The morning star has come
Conqueror, Lord of all
Goodness has won
“Storm The Keep” takes a rawer metal heading in comparison. Stripped down, punchy and brusque, it fuses assiduous riffing and a blighting low end with an understated - and quite contrasting - catchiness to power to the surface. “Storm The Keep” would sound at home on any early Bloodgood album.
Opening to the ‘if God is for me, who can stand against me’ acapella battle cry, Old Testament themed “The Wrath Of Shammah” drubs with its gruff heaviness and earthy vocal penchant. Guitars reflect a hard rock quality as opposed to the metal of its predecessors to draw upon a decided blues driven basis. Prose draws upon 2 Samuel 23:11:
Like a lion chasing his prey
The wrath of Shammah would not be turned away
The Philistines had picked the wrong fight
Slaughtered in the lentil field
On this day blood will be spilled
Come and get it, die upon my blade
Stood his ground in the lentil field
And said, if you want it come and get it
You’ll have to go through me
Slaughtered in the lentil field
God is for me, who could stand against me
“Living For A Bigger Kingdom” is one of albums signature tracks, separating due to not only its standout melody but also from how vocalist Christian Liljegren (Narnia, the Waymaker) makes guest appearance to join artist in a duet. It takes a melodic metal course, with guitars on the reserved side (compared to some here) and larger than life refrain reeking of the radio friendly (of an immediately engaging aspect). Kudos to Liljegren for the operatic flair he brings to the song.
Nine and a half minute progressive epic “Crushing The Dragon” is not so much albums best track as it is a potential song of the year candidate. Song begins to ringing bells that give way to expeditious power metal riffing, bass taking over for the opening verse sections ahead of guitar leading the way to a bombastic refrain exhorting the listener to ‘put on your armor, battle the dragon’. Inspired instrumental moments reflect a classical quality (sort of like Theocracy) in revealing artists finest stretch of explosive lead guitar. All the while song traces End Times history culminating in the second coming:
War famine plagues disease
When the pains start they won’t cease
And the world will weep the world will weep
Every resource under the gun
Take the mark or you will starve
The world will weep the world will weep
Soldiers given orders to kill the Light
slaughtering believers in the dead of night
The devils peace the devils peace
And when it seems all hope is lost
When it feels it cant get much worse
Look to the sky Jesus is coming
“Darkhorse 2.0” ensues as a medium to good hard rocker with an up-tempo flair and concrete disposition that while not bad I also find lacking the forthright hooks to albums more notable material (a solid but not great deep cut). Better is instrumental “Legend Of The Golden Charvel” to see artist unveil his diverse licks and chops, some bluesy and gritty and others sterner and heavier rocking while tying everything together with tightly woven but engaging guitar harmonies.
“Written In The Stars” is first of two very well done ballads. It reflects upon equal parts acoustic and worshipful mixed with lighter rhythm guitar to impress of melodic hard rock and AOR as Gazaway reveals a smoother and more even side to his vocal performance. Second “The King With A Crown Of Thorns” takes a similar musical stance but lighter as abundant acoustic guitar and orchestral elements combine with a gentle stretch of composed lead guitar. Former is a song artist wrote for his wife…
Our love was written in the stars
You and me for eternity
No matter where I am I know that you’re not far
You’re here with me for eternity
…and latter the crucifixion:
This cross it is a heavy burden
Only by the Spirit can I lift it
And I know that I deserve far worse
So everyday I’m thankful for
“Fire Of God” delivers the bluesy metal goods, laid back and gravelly with its granular presence but also not sidestepping engaging qualities as chorus draws in with immediate play. Early nineties Bride would not be out of line in terms of comparison. That said, at two and a half minutes song is on the abbreviated side, abruptly fading out when I would have been fine with it carried out twice its length (it is that good).
“Eat With The Pigs”, groups ode to the Prodigal Son, bestows some bouncing seventies style rhythms ala Led Zeppelin alongside a glossy refrain straight from the eighties to plead of the listener ‘are you ready to come home…’. Whereas the joining of classic rock and commercial work to perfection, “Eat With The Pigs” also ends a bit soon for my taste at just three minutes, closing to a brightly done lead guitar stretch. Again, the Prodigal Son is the subject in question:
Mud on my face I’m sick of this place
Time to admit I’ve lost this race
In with the pigs the game is rigged
Gotta get out of this dirty biz
I had it nice I had it right
Before I threw the towel in the fight
Now I know where I belong
Headin back to the Fathers home
Production is solid for a self-financed independent release. Drums are programmed but sound fine. Lone complaint is vocals are somewhat forward in the mix. As for packaging, I miss the science fiction themed cover art in that Living For A Bigger Kingdom comes across somewhat plain in comparison.
Darkhorse Hero maintains the strength of songwriting and musicianship to its self-titled debut. So many good songs to choose, with my favorites including “Morning Star”, “Living For A Bigger Kingdom”, “Crushing The Dragon”, “Legend Of The Golden Charvel” and the two ballads. I also take to “Fire Of God” but not unlike several cuts here is on the short side in that it could have been extended an extra minute or two. Overall, if a fan of the debut or eighties metal and hard rock (as represented here) then Living For A Bigger Kingdom comes strongly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Morning Star” (3:01), “Storm The Keep” (3:24), “The Wrath Of Shammah” (3:20), “Living For A Bigger Kingdom” (4:37), “Crushing The Dragon” (9:28), “Darkhorse Hero 2.0” (2:58), “Legend Of The Golden Charvel” (3:06), “Written In The Stars” (5:40), “Fire Of God” (2:31), “Eat With The Pigs” (3:12), “The King With A Crown Of Thorns” (5:27)
Musicians
Andrew Gazaway - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Bass
Anthony Mailard - Drum Programming
Guest Musicians
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Miguel Vargas - Piccolo
