| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent / Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1991 /2022 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: |
The 1991 independent debut full length Live For The Day from Ontario, California based Latter Reign is catchy, lyrically emboldened and brimming of eighties melodic metal energy, but it is also not exactly a polished and refined listen. No doubt, ‘eighties melodic metal’ is an open-ended statement as it applies to any band having come out of the era - and such is the case with Latter Reign - but in reference to Live For The Day also extends to AOR, melodic hard rock, glam, hair and pop metal. That being said, and perhaps due to being a self-financed release recording using early nineties technology, but Live For The Day presents with some thinness production wise. At least that is what I hear from the January of 2022 Roxx Records Limited Edition (500 copies) CD re-issue.
I have not had opportunity to hear the original version to offer comparison, and the Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) re-mastering certainly brings improvement, but to be completely fair quality to the source material placed limitations on what a re-mastering technical can and cannot achieve. Outside of that, the Roxx Records re-issue comes with the original seven Live For The Day tracks in addition to bonus material in the form of an acoustic version to the song “Winds Of Change” and single “Desire”, which Latter Reign recorded for the Heaven’s Metal Volume 1 compilation. Album art, layout and design accredits to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics).
Opener “Prisoner” emulates that eighties melodic metal energy in question. With open air guitar to start, song combines ardent and up-tempo energy with unambiguous hooks as Luis Cardenas shines with his gritty and raspy mid-ranged vocal style (sort of like Larry Worley of Love Live and Fear Not). Layered backing vocals provide a commercial flair.
“Real Love” further ups energy with its hair metal luster. Backing vocals again play an indelible role in building upon the overriding pop-based sentiments, while shredding lead guitar builds upon the high-energy verse at hand. Of particular note is how Dave Bonavich separates with a prodigious drum sound.
“Comin’ Back To You” takes a heavier metal-based stand, revealed in the snarling rhythm guitars to power in and out of the mix over a bedrock of groove like bass to speak of Bon Jovi. Impetus is mostly mid-tempo, pinpointing the diligent verse section, but intermittently picks up for moments on a more purposeful side, identifying the deliberate refrain.
“Winds Of Change” is a customary (and very good) wave your lighter in the air power ballad. Blowing wind fittingly gets things going ahead of the acoustic sentiments to carry its length, as keyboards play and accenting role and Cardenas again stands apart with his heartfelt vocal qualities. Ably done lead guitar further builds upon the emotion.
A hint of 38 Special reveals on the down to earth “Don’t Close Your Heart. As grainy guitars and even grainer hard rock fortitude leads the way, it emphasizes equal parts bluesy elements and the signature Latter Reign commercial vestiges. This one would be a good candidate for FM Radio back in the day.
“If We Only Believe” is my favorite of the two ballads with its hard rock approach. Divergences define the song, ranging from lucid passages with keyboards and orchestration and others to see implacable guitars set the momentous tone. All the while, a generous melody serves to draw in with repeat play. Stryper cannot help come to mind, as found in the falsettos at the end.
Albums title track is this reviewer’s choice cut. “Live For The Day” gives prominence to a thick and weighty low end alongside blithe guitars to result in a high-energy catchiness. Melodic metal perfection is complete when factoring another distorted guitar solo. I identify with Last Train era Holy Soldier as a point of reference.
As for the bonus material, acoustic version to “Winds Of Change” is not that far removed from the original (which is mostly acoustic itself), while “Desire” is an animated boogie metal cut complete with galvanized demeanor, aloof acoustic traces and lively backing vocals to fortify the presiding hooks. Albums best production to boot.
Credit Roxx Records for making available another long lost gem in Latter Reign debut Live For The Day. Musically, I appreciate the Latter Reign commercial metal and hard rock stance hearkening back to the eighties. Gritty and raspy vocals help offer comparison to contemporaries Love Life, Fear Not and Guardian (Jamie Rowe era), while the group brings equal levels of musical acumen in terms of musicianship and songwriting ability. In the end, the potential it exhibits on Live For The Day cannot help but leave impression if Latter Reign followed up with a professionally produced full-length release it would have ranked among the heavy hitters of the time.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Prisoner” (4:37), “Real Love” (3:01), “Comin’ Back To You” (3:40), “Winds Of Change” (4:24), “Don’t Close Your Heart” (3:47), “Live For The Day” (3:25), “Winds Of Change” (acoustic version) (4:06), “Desire” (4:28)
