| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Jonathan Johnson |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 46:33 |
Deny The Fallen and its debut full length Symptoms Of Eternity was worth the wait, with a technical ‘modern metal’ sound and Sacred Warrior alumni vocalist Rey Parra and guitarist Jonathan Johnson part of its lineup. Wait being the key word in that the album saw digital release by the band in late 2018, but with the CD version scheduled to follow shortly thereafter, I temporarily delayed putting together a review. CD release, however, did not materialize until 2019 (on the groups label Dunamis Records), but Story Envy shipping and handling fees put it outside this reviewers realistic budget. By the time Deny The Fallen made the album available as a free download, it had taken its website down, so as a result I resigned to the fact a review sadly was not in the cards. That is until Retroactive Records thankfully stepped to the plate and officially released Symptoms Of Eternity on CD in February of 2020.
Describing Deny The Fallen as ‘modern metal’ might be within the ballpark but also does not do the group justice from how Symptoms Of Eternity (as taken from its press material) ‘pays homage to all eras and styles of metal’. Yes, Deny The Fallen is no doubt modern (revealed in its guitar tones and periodic aggressive vocals) but strains every bit much - if not more so - towards straightforward heavy metal (again, referencing the guitars). Decided progressive aspects also separate, manifesting in the intricate nature to the Deny The Fallen material and how it unites multiple forms of metal within individual songs. In ultimately walking a fine line between old school and the modern, Deny The Fallen could not be more different than the Sacred Warrior power metal Parra and Johnson gained initial renown, but the group is also not so far removed as to alienate Sacred Warrior fans either.
Hence, opener “Oblivion”, a strong cut that fades in to uncanny keyboards before the pulsating guitars that impel the remaining distance take over. It otherwise proves dogged in capacity, with copious bass and drums of an abrading variety and Parra’s vocals running the gamut from his signature silky smooth style to periodic lower register girt and gravel. Just enough inviting melody allows the song to separate despite a roughly hewn scene. Lyric snippet:
My eyes are on the Son
Where there are chains, to release again
Your power rages within me
Raising my voice to the wind
Speaking the mystery again
Lifting the highest name higher
Joining eternity’s choir
Crying and torment come from oblivion
Follow up cut “Mortem Amisi (Friendship Dies)” is of equal quality. It proves shorter at three and a half minutes, releasing a faster tempo with catchy riffs and powerhouse drumming revealing a speed metal form but also touching upon the haunting as Parra emotionally croons ‘is this the way friendship dies?’ There is almost a hint of old school Deliverance here.
With its melodic metal basis, “Hands For War” potentially has the most in common with Sacred Warrior of all the albums material. The song maintains a mid-paced form, starting calmly to keyboards and gentle guitars but exploding at once for its defiant refrain only to settle down for the fervidly charged verse sections to ensue. Oz Fox (Stryper) guests on lead guitar and totally shreds. Lyric snippet:
The hero in this war, of the ages
Countless ones were lost along the way
Your name is high, above the heavens
The earth will tremble at Your words alone
Train my hands for war
Rise up in me
And show me what’s worth dying for
I battle in this war of the ancients
The angry punk-like guitars opening “Symptoms Of Eternity” maintain a commanding presence to the end, lending an aggressive element allowing it to rank with albums heaviest. Yet, an abundant melody holds sway all the same, noting the delicately flowing vocal melodies, as does a distinct nu-metal aura, divulged in the periodic modern tinged guitars. Jonathan Johnson takes over on lead guitar and proves of equal ability.
“Predator”, as its title implies, further exalts the assailing mentality. Representing of the albums slower, it powers to raw edged guitars that impel in and out of the mix alongside lower register screams in traversing a traditional metal heading but with just enough modern facets to divulge a more up to date sound. Hence, how I identify with this one as quintessential Deny The Fallen. Lyric snippet:
Marked for death, from the start
Beast from the past tracking
Tracking my heart
He knows my thoughts, He knows my ways
Picture of where I began
Crying out for my defense
Knowing only God can save me now
A monster stalks me from inside
I’ll overthrow him with my mind
Renew my mind
“Murder Machine”, on the other hand, elevates the modern sentiments a bit far for my taste. The spoken word (almost rap style) vocals potentially lose me, as does the overemphasis on lower register growls to border on the heavy handed. It is not all bad in that a solid melody stands out all things added up.
“Razin’ Kane” also mauls but does not do so to a fault. Presenting a more traditional vocal style - no cookie monster style grunts - it takes off in livid fashion following a distorted keyboard opening, propelled by crunchy heavy delight guitars in setting a militant tone. Unwavering and sober is the feel but still on the listenable side. Lyric snippet:
This evil world has set its obstacles in front of me
The barriers are set to rob me of my destiny
I’ll overcome, I’ll persevere to crush the enemy
Try to tear down every wall that lies in front of me
I’ll raise the bar
We raise our eyes
We’ll raise our first into the sky
We’re Razin’ Kane until we die
One of albums finest ensues in “Shelter”. With guitars reflecting upon the modern but with a decided melodic metal bent, the song impresses of the elegant, as Parra stretches in revealing the full breadth to his soaring voice and melody borders on the enchanting, which you will be challenged to keep out of your head. Am I out of line to suggest a more modernized version to Stryper.
Quality continues with “Rise”. The song starts to a montage of fire and brimstone preachers that give way to the joining of angst and accessibility to carry its distance: intermittent ‘harsh’ vocals that align with the former and an understated catchiness to lend a pleasing contracting effect the latter. Of particular note is the turbulent drumming of Josh Johnson. Lyric snippet:
Forfeit the reins
Harnessing my emotions
Can’t fight this feeling
I’ve had at least a thousand times
That there’s something wrong
Preaching the cross devoid of love
Like a wolf that’s in disguise
Fanning the flames
Burning in my devotion
Your spirit will rise
“Burning The World” is the type of solid deep cut that makes an already very good album better. It takes an upbeat heading, straightforward with its melodic metal to hard rock bent but also intrusive in terms of the occasional ‘growled’ vocals to adorn the backend. Sacred Warrior band mate Bruce Swift lends the fierce lead guitar.
Album ends to showstopper “Death Rattle”. Plunging from the get go to massive guitars, the song touches upon thrash with its unyielding momentum and vigorous low end but also points towards the lightly extreme in terms of the baleful backing vocals to lend a pensive edge. Despite the unease, just enough engaging melody separates to sidestep any potential repetition.
As an impressive start for Deny The Fallen, Symptoms Of Eternity was more than worth the wait. No doubt, the group does an accomplished job paying ‘homage to all eras and styles of meta’, although I find modern meets straightforward metal the better indicator as it pertains to its sound. Likewise, Rey Parra and Jonathan Johnson form an impeccable duo in sustaining the abilities that made Sacred Warrior such a highly regarded act. Ultimately putting Symptoms Of Eternity over the top is songwriting in that I count no less than 9 great tracks, which is more than sufficient to garner a 90% score, all the more so when factoring the professional production and packaging. Again, thanks to Retroactive Records for officially release Symptoms Of Eternity on CD.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Oblivion” (4:56), “Mortem Amici (Friendship Dies)” (3:36), “Hands For War” (3:24), “Symptoms Of Eternity” (3:54), “Predator” (4:02), “Murder Machine” (3:33), “Razin’ Kane” (4:06), “Shelter” (4:41), “Rise” (5:11), “Burning The World” (3:51), “Death Rattle” (5:19)
Musicians
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Jonathan Johnson - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Harbor Horton - Rhythm Guitars
Erik Kyr - Bass
Josh Johnson - Drums
Additional Musicians
Oz Fox - Guitars
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Dylan Parra - Vocals
