| Musical Style: Thrash/Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Godfather / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1996 / 1999 / 2002 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: Varies | Rating: 85%, 80%, 75% |
| Running Time: Varies |
Eternal Decision is pitched as a Christian thrash alternative to Metallica, and it mostly makes good on that promise, particularly when factoring how rough-hewn vocalist Joe Chambless is a near dead ringer for James Hetfield. Outside of that, however, Eternal Decision is its own band, no doubt drawing upon Metallica influenced thrash but also instinctive to speed and groove metal not to mention periodic modern metal overtones.
Eternal Decision self-titled debut from 1996, encompassing mostly previous demo recordings and several songs written in the studio, upholds said thrash to speed with groove bearings. It was initially an independent release by the group but later re-released twice, with first in 1997 on a small, independent label and second the same year on drummer Kirk Campbell’s label Godfather Records.
1999 second album Ghost In The Machine brought change in the form of second vocalist Dave Perkins, contributing a varied at times clean and smooth and others gritty mid-ranged style, while maintaining the thrash and speed metal to groove aspects. Third album ED 3 from 2002 also saw change with guitarist Cory Boatright taking over second vocalist duties, pinpointing a classic tenor form, and musical direction, modern metal while staying true to the groups thrash roots.
As one might imagine, all three albums are out of print and hard to find collectors items. Enter Retroactive Records, whom in the summer of 2021 re-issued the three with upgraded packing (noting the work of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal) to include vintage band photos and write-ups from second guitarist Tommy Torres in addition to a foil stamped trading card. Re-mastering for improved sound quality attributes to Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound).
Eternal Decision
On its self-titled debut, Eternal Decision sidesteps any overbearing and repetitious aspects to the thrash genre from the manner in which it imbues its material with catchy riffs and hooks. Hence, opening cuts “Risen” and “Power” to go hand in hand to feature a ‘chugga-chugga’ guitar crunch but not without distinctive hooks to draw in with repeat play. “Overflow” is in similar form but faster with its speed metal impetus and catchier to reveal some of the most engaging thrash riffs you will hear. Either of the three would sound at home on Deliverance’s self-titled debut.
Of equal quality but in a slower, mid-paced vein are “The Search” and “Things I Say”, with both drifting between passages heightened by crushing guitars to dominate and others stilly done of a moderate but melodic form. Fantastic guitar leads reveal on the three.
Likewise, “Fearless” is another top mid-paced track with lower register vocals revealing a creepy Alice Cooper vibe as a haunting melody aligns with ominous overtures to align with the authoritative scene. “Hunger”, acclaimed when mistaken over Napster as a new Metallica song, challenges as albums best with bountiful harmonies and an emotionally tinged (not to mention quite inviting) refrain.
Opening the Eternal Decision second half are a trio of equally good songs in “Imminent Destruction”, “Alive” and “Turn” to capture the group’s affinity for emphasizing the accessible within a thrash metal to speed based package. Of albums two closing cuts, I favor “CTG” with its interplay between buzz saw guitars and complex drum patterns with distorted vocals, while “Stomping Ground” rates as a bare bones bludgeoner that might lack the notable hooks to some cuts here but delivers its share of muscle all the same.
Eternal Decision impresses with its consistency to include twelve good songs in which while some might be better than others none I skip over either. It never fails to impress how a band can be so heavy and aggressive but melodic at the same time. Eternal Decision brings to mind old school Deliverance in this regard.
Final Verdict: My favorite of the three achieves a well-deserved 85% grade
Ghost In The Machine
Ghost In The Machine represents the next logical step for Eternal Decision in maintaining a similar musical course but with improved production values, not that the debut sounded bad, to see more pronounced drums and near perfectly placed crunch laden guitars.
Album begins to a solid Chambless fronted track in “Breaking”, a catchy thrash and metal hybrid to see periodic slower moments trade off with outbursts of shouted backing vocals. Every bit engrossing is albums title track, also Chambless fronted in home to stalwart hooks in highlighting a prodigious low end with its spirited churning. A bit heavier but not distancing from the melodic priorities is “Beyond” with symbols to starts giving way to a hard charging mentality but occasionally slowing for calmer passages.
In a more thrash vein is “Strength”, home to aggressive drums and every bit compelling guitars but also not lacking draw you in at once appeal, and “Killing Me”, not as catchy but still biting with authority in terms of its chopping in and out riffs and overt sense of groove. Group does a solid job exhibiting its musicianship on the two with several extended instrumental runs.
Of a mid-paced quality are six-minute cuts “Through The Pain”, almost ballad like with its somber interweaving between calmly done keyboard laced verses and refrain in which guitars pummel to a forward priority, and “Scar”, similar in focus but heavier to see darker registers touch upon the doom-like with Place Of Skulls like guitars. “Without Shelter” receives the full on melodic ballad treatment as acoustic guitar delicately interweaves with keyboards. The three give Perkins opportunity to exhibit his smooth and even to gritty vocal abilities.
Only two cuts I skip in “Blindsided” from exhibiting tons of fast-paced exuberance but also lacking the notable hooks to garner repeat play and “Alien” with its electronic industrial drums and repeating verbatim the refrain to “Through The Pain”.
Ghost In The Machine is a fine effort that sustains the groups focus on memorable songwriting within thrash to speed to groove metal boundaries. Lone drawback is a couple songs in which I pass out of the ten full-length tracks.
Final Verdict: A lot to like here but also not quite consistent as the debut garners 80%
ED 3
On its third and final album appropriately entitled ED 3, Eternal Decision distances from much of its thrash/speed metal roots in favor of a ‘modern metal’ sound. Good news is that the group maintains its metal and hard rock affinity while incorporating modern elements and not the other way around.
Regardless, album presents with some fantastic material up to the Eternal Decision standard, beginning with opener “Something Strong” emphasizing crunch wise guitars and peculiar hooks not to mention Boatright’s classic tenor vocals to allow for said modern touch. Every bit heavy and of equal form are Chambless fronted tracks “Walk The Line”, faster and more aggressive with some of the catchiest vocal harmonies you will hear, and “No Grip”, rollicking and upbeat with refrain to stick with you for some time and guitars of a hard rock quality.
Slower and moody in reaching for the modern, “1st Sin” comes across downcast and mournful with a hint of doom and hooks of an alluring kind, and “Scales” ethereal as guitars on the serene side trade with those of a heavier nature in upholding a staggering melody. Boatright bestows a softer touch on the two with his contrasting level vocal abilities.
My favorite is albums heaviest and most creative “Closer” to uphold classical instrumentation to start only to turn into a thrash metal charger with chanted vocals, battering drums and virtuoso lead guitar run. I also esteem 9/11 tribute cut “One Nation” with complementary voice over from then President Bush and inspirational demeanor found in the esteemed ‘revive our spirits again’ refrain and Deliverance bonus track cover “Belltown” to find Eternal Decision imparting its unique sense of thrash driven groove.
I skip over “Flashback”, which as its title implies is a medley of songs from the first two albums spliced together with extreme vocals. Not my cup of tea. Likewise, I tend to pass on three of the more modern pieces in “The Time Has Come”, “Go” and “Free” in that while far from bad, I also find somewhat plain in lacking the memorable hooks and riffs attributing to the stronger Eternal Decision material. Perhaps modern to a fault might be the best way to describe things.
ED III equates to a solid work with its stronger material ranking ranking with the Eternal Decision best but also somewhat inconsistent compared to Eternal Decision and Ghost In The Machine. Perhaps it is personal taste but some of the more modern moments lose me.
Final verdict: ED 3 is by no means a bad album and home to some solid material but with a few too many skip buttons equals 75%
Summary
The Eternal Decision trio of albums represents a band in transition from the delectable melodic thrash/speed/groove metal to its inaugural material to the modern laced sounds of that to follow. Some excellent songs separate in the process - despite the group’s aggression and power, it delivers a deft songwriting touch - and musicianship is up to standard. Three vocalists over three albums bring a bit of variety but each fits the Eternal Decision style at hand. Eternal Decision, Ghost In The Machine and ED 3 come recommended for fans of thrash-speed-groove-modern metal in addition to those looking for upgraded version to the original releases. Thanks to Retroactive for re-issuing the three with improved packaging and re-mastering for enhanced sound quality.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Eternal Decision track listing: “Risen” (3:57), “Power” 3:16), “The Search” (5:51), “Overflow” (3:33), “Things I Say” (4:27), “Fearless” (4:51), “Imminent Destruction” (4:15), “Alive’ (5:12), “Turn” (4:28), “Hunger” (5:43), “CTG” (4:03), “Stomping Ground” (4:18)
Ghost In The Machine track listing: “On The Down Low” (:28), “Breaking” (4:09), “Security” (:17), “Strength” (4:40), “Ghost In The Machine” (2:44), “Killing Me” (3:56), “Through This Pain” (5:49), “Blindsided” (3:36), “Scar” (5:43), “Alien” (4:07), “Beyond” (4:22), “Without Shelter” (4:27)
ED 3 track listing: “Something Strong” (3:58), “I Walk The Line” (2:44), “1st Sin” (4:39), “No Grip” (3:13), “Scales” (3:54), “Flashback” (3:04), “The Time Has Come” (3:26), “Go” (3:14), “Free” (4:24), “Closer” (3:23), “One Nation” (3:26), “Belltown” (4:41)
