Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By: Jonathan Johnson
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website:
Tracks: 8	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 31:59

Deny The Fallen packs straightforward heavy metal punch, modern metal underpinnings, subtle industrial nuances and vocals ranging from high-end to extreme.  The group remains the project of vocalist Rey Parra and guitarist Jonathan Johnson, whom initially came together as part of Sacred Warrior on its Intense Records 1991 (and 90% Angelic Warlord reviewed) fourth album Obsessions.  The two did not reunite until 2018 for the independent digital release to the Deny The Fallen debut full length Symptoms Of Eternity, which unveiled a ‘technical modern metal sound that ‘(walks) a fine line between the old school and modern’ (quoting the 90% Angelic Warlord review to the Retroactive Records CD release from 2020).

The Deny The Fallen July of 2023 Roxx Records sophomore EP Echo Chamber does not deviate from the ‘modern meets metal’ course.  Hence, manner in which it impresses as a musical continuation to Symptoms Of Eternity, realized in Johnson’s affinity for metal entrenched but at times modern based riff affinity while set apart equally from his decisive lead guitar penchant.  Parra puts in another strong showing with his ever-present classic tenor vocal acumen, albeit as required by the aggressive nature to the Echo Chamber material reaches down to lend periodic grit and gravel to his delivery. 

Echo Chamber represents an extended EP in opening to five new songs ensued by two quality covers and a short closing instrumental.  First of the five is albums title track, five minutes of full bore metal opening to a cacophony of offbeat voices and symphonic keyboards ahead of an aligning of pile driving guitars and industrial style keyboards.  Parra’s silky smooth croon trades off with occasional harsh screams as preeminent melody plans an eminent role. Lyric snippet:

Captive to the thoughts of the group think
Freedom of thought and mind is at the brink

You’re deceived by strangers
Feeding on your anger
Can’t you see the danger
You’re living in an echo chamber

“Live Again” embodies the Deny The Fallen modern side, not quite heavy as its predecessor but packing punch all the same embodied in Erik Kyr’s determined bass line and Josh Johnson’s ascendant drumming.  Modern guitar tones form a union with complementary extreme vocals (albeit not to fault either way) and layered vocal melodies to further bolster the compelling scene.  Separating Deny The Fallen from many bands with a modern inclining is Jonathan Johnson’s ever present (and very adeptly played) lead guitar. Lyric snippet:

I give my life for You, I give it all away
Carry my cross for You and on my weakest day
YOU SAY – I’ll never be alone
YOUR WAY – Your way and not mine

I’ll land on my fee again
This life I’m holding
Through death I’m starting to live again

“Eye Of The Hurricane” rates with albums heaviest.  Guitarist with an almost thrash like feel command the mid-tempo scene, as added keyboards (that bring to mind Deliverance’s Assimilation and in a very positive sense) and periodic courser vocals lead to the forward thinking refrain.  Am I out of line to suggest a light power metal nuance rising to the surface?  Lyric snippet:

Around the world, it’s the same
Fixing the rules of the game
The wicked setting the stage for antichrist

They hate us one and the same
Because we stand for Your name
Out of the torrent, Your people will arise

“Point Of No Return” revels in melodic sensibilities.  Albums most commercial cut is alive with guitar harmonies not to mention Parra’s even as it gets but lower register tone to speak of the doom-ish.  Further buttressing the song is how open-air guitar backed by heavyset bass to start plays up albums crystal clear production; Echo Chamber is by no means a low budget effort.  Lyric snippet:

So close but far away- I hear the sound of Heaven
A still, small voice speaking inside of me
It’s crying, ‘Turn away and turn toward salvation’
Eternity is just a breath away

God let Your Kingdom come
Let Your will be done
Before we pass the point of no return

Final of the five “If It Costs Me My Life” is a good one.  What we have is one of albums most aggressive, reinforcing a speed-based aptitude with lightning like riffing and double kick drum that back the extreme laced verse sections and equally battering refrain.  The heavy hitting guitar riffs remind of those of Sacred Warrior cut “Desperately Wicked” (off Waiting In Darkness from 2013).  Off kilter feedback leads the way to a darkly tinctured instrumental run in which Jonathan Johnson again makes his soloing mark.  Lyric snippet:

It’s time we shout it so all hell can hear it
Let’s raise a scream that shakes the sky
We’ll sing it out just like we have no fear and
We’ll lift the name of Jesus high

All glory, honor and praise unto the Lamb who was slain
We’ll send this song to the sky
I’ll praise if it costs me my life
If it costs me my life

Stryper’s “Sing Along Song” (off 1986’s To Hell With The Devil) is first of two solid covers.  It stays true to the original in terms of recognizable melody and lush harmonies, albeit Deny The Fallen lends its unique spin in the form of heavier guitar crunch and sidestepping the Stryper style layered vocal melodies.  Parra, of course, proves more than a match for Stryper front man Michael Sweet.

Second cover, King’s X’s “Mission” (Gretchen Goes To Nebraska from 1989) proves equally laudable.  Main change is how vocals are handled by Jonathan Johnson, whom brings a lower register style compared to Parra to align with the soulful delivery to Doug Pinnick.  It otherwise also mirrors the original with its funky bass line and catchy guitar rhythms, although it lacks the church organ intro and preacher voice over for the instrumental run.

Closing the EP is minute and half-ambient instrumental “Reflections”.

As with many EP’s, Echo Chamber leaves the feeling of wanting more due to its abbreviated span.  I wish, for instance, the group had come up with at least three more songs to turn it into a full-length release.  That said, each of the seven full-length songs is of top quality: if matched with three or four others of similar form final grade would be in the 85% to 90% range.  Also, keep in mind I grade EP’s on a tighter curve; hence, the 80% score.  A full measure of such a laudable grade also attributes to band performance in that as ever Parra shines with his classic tenor voice, while Jonathan Johnson performs at an equal high level.  Those into Symptoms Of Eternity would be well services to make Echo Chamber a priority purchase.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Echo Chamber” (5:06), “Live Again” (4:20), “Eye Of The Hurricane”, “Point Of No Return” (3:42), “If It Costs Me My Life” (4:18), “Sing Along Song” (4:16), “Mission” (4:27), “Reflections” (1:39)

Musicians
Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
Jonathan Johnson - Guitars & Lead Vocals
Jeff Rankin - Guitars
Erik Kyr - Bass
Josh Johnson - Drums