| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2010 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 13 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 35:08 |
The Keith Miles and Bill Menchen musical partnership dates to the late eighties. Miles got his start fronting Holy Right, a straightforward metal act that in 1986 independently releases a slightly uneven and somewhat under produced album entitled Stand As One. Menchen formed his first band Redeemer around the same time, contributing the guitar work to the group’s obscure 1986 demo ahead of it breaking up three years later. Miles took an extended leave from music subsequent to the disbanding of Holy Right only to form Final Axe in 1989 with Menchen, whom owned such a backlog of quality material the two began work at once on debut full length Beyond Hell’s Gate.
Released on East West Records in December of 1989, BHG initially came out on cassette and compact disc (a review of BHG from Heaven’s Metal issue 23 lists an ordering price of $7 for the cassette and $12 for the CD). I am uncertain if the CD version exists, but if it does, it ranks among the top ‘Holy Grail’ of Christian metal collectibles. That said I purchased a cassette copy at a used music shop in the Portland, Oregon area after starting work on Angelic Warlord in January of 2004.
BHG was re-mastered, re-mixed and re-issued on Retroactive Records in 2005 with two new songs in “Blind Faith” and “Rated X” but without two short instrumentals “Beyond Hell’s Gate” and “:45 Scream” from the original release. A second Retroactive re-issue from 2010 was also re-mixed and re-mastered, and featured new cover art in addition to Robert Sweet (Stryper) on drums. The two new songs from the 2005 re-issue were included along with drum solo “Area 51” and instrumental “Beyond The Gate” (originally entitled “Beyond Hell’s Gate”). Fast forward to November of 2023 and BHG is re-issued a third time on Retroactive with the original cover art, 2010 track listing, Robert Sweet on drums and fresh re-master from Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound).
It cannot be downplayed the impact of Robert Sweet, whom takes the BHG material to the next level by unleashing his full repertoire of technical drum rolls and fills and pushing his creative boundaries in the process. Likewise, re-mastering represents an improvement, with cleaner separation of instrumentation resulting in meatier rhythm guitar, cleaner guitar leads and low end packing added punch and power.
Credit Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics) for the well conceived mini booklet to encompass vintage band photos, liner notes in an easy to read font and same scriptural references accompanying lyrics from the original release. I applaud the decision to go with the ‘green clawed hand’ cover from 1989. Yes, artwork from the 2010 re-issue is superior, but the vintage cover brings an undeniable charm that better fits the music.
I identify with BHG as a catchy and high energy combining of traditional metal and melodic metal with occasional thrash influence. If a fan of Saint, Armageddon, Barren Cross, early Bloodgood, Judas Priest and Metal Church, I can see the equal parts heavy and melodic that is BHG of interest. Embodying such is opening vocal piece “Baptized In Blood” with its coalescing of sledgehammer riffs and catchy hooks to draw in at once. Previous to that album opens to instrumental “Beyond The Gate”, which runs the gamut from angelic choirs to boiling lava and ghoulish screams. “Baptized In Blood” deals with the Crucifixion and Resurrection:
He was crucified on a cross in pain and misery
His hands and feet nailed to the wood
Thorns shoved in His head
Everyone was shouting out: “This Jewish King is dead!”
They never knew that He died
To save man from His sin
He won the war and conquered death
The day He rose again
“Are You Ready” ranks among albums more melodic. It takes a tempered approach in comparison, trending the mid-tempo with its inviting harmonies and melodies but also not backing from the assertive as rhythm guitar digs and bites with a Saint like classic metal feel. Of note is how Miles’ separates with his signature raspy but expansive vocal delivery.
“No Time To Die” takes an aggressive turn. Song approaches speed metal territory, with the heightened intensity to Menchen’s fast paced riffing and Sweet’s contentious timekeeping touching upon some of those thrash influences. I find it disappointing the scripture reading from the original version (Matthew 24: 29-30) is replaced with a muffled low-key voice. “No Time To Die” talks about taking a stand in the faith:
You give an inch, he’ll take a mile
You turn around, and he’ll crush you to the ground
You shake your head, do you feel the pain?
Well there’s a price to pay when you throw it all away
There’s no time to die!
God tell me why?
There’s no time to die
“Soldier Of Compromise” is another choice cut, albeit trending the melodic. It correspondingly tapers to a mid-paced form with a generous hook proclivity - magnetic refrain borders on the commercial - and burnished guitar harmonies that would not sound out of place on Bloodgood’s 1988 release Rock In A Hard Place. One cannot deny the emotional allure.
“Close To Deliverance” proves aptly entitled with a hearty thrash basis reminding of the band in which its namesake implies. With drum solo to start ensued by a growl like falsetto, song represents aggression manifest with its forceful guitar walls and harshly spoken refrain- in a positive sense either way! Long complaint is that “Close To Deliverance” is a bit short at just over two minutes. “Close To Deliverance” draws its lyrics from the Book of Revelation:
There’s going to be a time
At the end of the world
When darkness reigns and evil rules
People turn away to accept the mark
But they condemn themselves as fools
Are you gonna take a chance-
So close to deliverance?
You might never get another chance
So close to deliverance
“Thrown In The Fire” is another powerhouse stomper. Traditional metal is trended, revealed in choppy guitars defining the hulking mid-tempo verse sections and Miles’ gravelly vocals further drawing out the engaging qualities to the anthem like refrain. Sweet’s impactful drumming builds upon the momentousness at hand.
“Don’t Run Away” yields understated commercial qualities, as manifest in the larger than life backing vocals with a cool sing along quality to have you returning time and again. Yet, as with much of albums material, snarling guitars allow the song to reside well within heavy metal territory. I cannot help but be drawn to the joining of the cultured and intrusive.
“War Cry” ends BHG with a literal bang. Slower, doom-ish riffs start things over drum rolls and pulsating bass, with force escalating for the impaling (and quite catchy) ‘It’s war! And the battle has just begun’ refrain and instrumental moments to see Menchen stretch with his flat-out lead guitar work. I sense a bit of Barren Cross on this one. “War Cry” touches upon spiritual warfare:
Draw your sword
And thrust it through his heart
Don’t give him a chance
Just tear him apart
It’s war!
When you’re under the gun
It’s war!
And the battle has only begun
New songs “Blind Faith” and “Rated X” are solid but in my opinion rate a notch below the original BHG material, noting how the initial Miles and Menchen partnership set the bar so high any material added after the fact invites unfair comparison. That said, former is a straight on mid-tempo metal piece to see its refrain repeatedly shouted in exuberant fashion, while latter takes a similar heading with a more upbeat demeanor and darker disposition overall. Instrumental “Area 51” highlights Robert Sweet’s drum soloing abilities combined with techno sounding keyboards.
It would not be out of line to suggest BHG features some of Bill Menchen’s most inspired songwriting, or at the very least most varied when factoring the even break down between heavier and melodic cuts. For instance, it is difficult to match the power of top notch thrash based numbers Baptized In Blood” and “Thrown In The Fire” not to mention allure of those more accessible in “Soldier Of Compromise” and “No Time To Die”. When further factoring the talents of Miles and Menchen alongside Robert Sweet, it makes for an unbeatable combination. If a fan of Final Axe or of the post Final Axe work of the two under the Titanic moniker, then make the 2023 Retroactive re-issue a priority purchase, it is by far the most superior of all the versions to the album released.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Beyond The Gate” (1:35), “Baptized In Blood” (2:37), “Are You Ready?” (2:42), “No Time To Die” (3:08), “Soldier Of Compromise” (4:14), “Blind Faith” (2:58), “Area 51” (1:54), “Close To Deliverance” (2:08), “Thrown In The Fire” (3:19), “Don’t Run Away” (3:27), “War Cry” (2:56), “Rated X” (3:24), “Eternity” (:45)
Musicians
Keith Miles - Lead Vocals
Bill Menchen - Guitars
Rod Reasner - Bass
Robert Sweet - Guitars
