| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Brad Smith & Luis Cardenas |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 50:27 |
Latter Reign more than holds its own as a legitimate contemporary to Fear Not and Guardian. This much becomes obvious from manner in which the group shares a similar eighties melodic metal and hard rock heading (glam, pop or hair metal if you will) in addition to featuring a front man in Luis Cardenas with a raspy and gritty middle register vocal style not unlike that of Larry Worley (former) and Jamie Rowe (latter). Also held in common is a Southern California based background, with Latter Reign tracing its origin to Ontario where Luis and bassist July Cardenas founded it ahead of recruiting drummer Dave Bonavich and guitar team of Brad Smith (lead and rhythm) and Glenn Graff (rhythm).
With its lineup set, Latter Reign proceeded to gig throughout the region, playing churches, clubs, bars, ‘battle of the band’ contests and festivals in which it shared the stage with Barren Cross, Guardian, Bride, Fear Not, Switchfoot and many others. In between the group found the time to record in 1991 its custom cassette debut full length Live For The Day, which was re-mastered and re-issued in January of 2022 on Roxx Records with two bonus tracks.
Fittingly entitled Latter Reign sophomore album II also saw release on Roxx Records in July of the same year. It represents a collection of songs the band wrote and performed back in the day and partially recorded but did not finish and release. That is until now when Latter Reign regrouped and returned to the studio to complete work on the II material to create essentially a new album consisting of eleven previously composed songs and one new written specifically for the project.
Musically, the Latter Reign press material best sums things up when describing II as ‘more organic- a product of the band itself’. I could not agree more from how the albums mirrors the maturity garnered by a band with time and experience found in tighter compositions, catchier hooks and melodies and general overall heaviness when placed alongside Live For The Day. Not that Live For The Day is in any way flawed - a solid album in its own right - but II takes things to the next level with strength of songwriting that more than rivals that of as noted contemporaries Fear Not and Guardian.
Hence, opener “Latter Reign”, which stays true to the winning formula that helps to make the group a success: pop influenced catchy hooks matched with the guitar acclivity to cross the threshold of metal and hard rock. In between, Luis Cardenas shines with his perfectly placed earthy vocal signatures. Lyric snippet:
To the ends of the earth, I cry out, oh Lord!
My heart rips inside
Take me to the Rock that is higher than I
In the Latter Reign
Wipe away our tears from our cryin’ eyes
No more empty days
There will be no pain, there will be no death
For the former things shall pass away
The same applies to “Desire” by upping heaviness with a snarling combination of gravelly guitars and pulsating rhythm section to contrast with commercial leanings in the form of lighter AOR nuances. Guitar team of Bonavich and Smith get quite a workout for the flashy instrumental run. Lyric snippet:
“Dreams”, albums lengthiest at five and half minutes, trends the mid-tempo with a melodic hard rock veneer to explore the Latter Reign lighter side. Some variances maneuver to the surface in the process, as cleanly placed bass accents the resolved verse sections and keyboard the more reserved but catchy refrain. Lyric snippet:
Chasing your dreams
But it seems like you’re running outta time
Isn’t it true all you do is buy the same ol’ line
There is strife in this life
But there’s one thing you should know
There is love from above
The way He has shown
New cut “Shine Your Light” is good in upholding the melodic hard rock trending. An up-tempo formula manifests, revealed in the galloping rhythms and elevated lead guitar not to mention the complementary vocal melodies to make a refined statement. Am I out of line to suggest comparison to In God We Trust era Stryper?
“Radio Paradise” separates as this reviewer’s choice cuts. It revels in pop metal allure, starting to acapella vocals ahead of turning into an infectious, hook driven monster with July Cardenas’ mirthful bass and playful disposition that have play me on the radio written all over it. I challenge you to keep this one out of your head with repeat listen. Lyric snippet:
Hear the voice of courage
Hear the call of no surrender
Fight the good fight always
You’re alive, a new creation
Coming through so clearly
No static, no illusion
Just embrace the message
Paradise, eternal treasure
“Rotten Johnny” is another favorite. Song opens its first minute and half impressing as an instrumental, a rollicking boogie flavored ardor commands as hard rock guitars lead the way, only to settle down at once vocally, manifesting a bluesy allure but not forsaking the commercial as found in layered harmony vocals. I cannot say enough good things about the Latter Reign guitar work.
More pop metal hooks with “Crazy World”, which interestingly begins to some bluesy Whitesnake-ish guitar interplay prior to settling down to a polished melodic rocker. Non-stop hooks prevail, allowing Luis Cardenas to exhibit the full range to his gravelly voice alongside a burnished mentality to speak of AOR. Lyric snippet:
Searching deep inside your life
Visions blurred in a cloudy sky
Selling dreams to thimble minds
Fade to black in a slow white lie
Longing for a warm embrace
Is it earth, or a holy place?
Condemned to death yet innocent
On the altar of selfishness
Albums shortest at just over three minutes, “Day By Day” upholds fast paced groove and bottom heavy mentality as guitars churn aggressively and refrain points to the focused and forthright. Again, the Latter Reign backing vocals allow for a contrastingly lighter effect.
“Hardened Heart” takes the bluesy hard rock mentality to the next level with abundant slide guitar and shuffling bass to match. It proves another top cut, resonating an immediate draw you in quality as forthright hooks and catchy backing vocals serve to draw in with repeat play. The bluesy lead guitar would attract the attention of Troy Thompson (Bride). Lyric snippet:
Just concede and admit you’ve lost
The war you wage is not worth the cost
I’ve had enough of this wicked game, this back and forth
Tired of going toe to toe
Words of wisdom don’t touch your soul
You blaspheme and you curse as you walk away
And I know that you’re playing with fire
And I know you will fall apart
Taking a similar heading is “Won’t Go Down”, an acoustic laced hard rocker to see guitars power in and out of the mix as bluesy vestiges command the moody scene. Melody plays a similar prevalent role as a more down to earth if not grainy aspect to Latter Reign rears its head to the extent I am reminded of Whitecross.
“Why” separates as four and half minutes of delectable acoustic rock as glistening backing vocals prevail alongside a relaxed and laid back setting. I appreciate how this one reveals a more laid back and mellower albeit no less compelling side to Latter Reign. Lyric snippet:
Why? Why can’t we see?
It’s not too late to turn your heart around
Courage to change is all you need
Believe without a doubt, without a doubt
Maybe with compassion for each other
We can learn to love each other
More desire for one another
Being kind to your brother
“Writing’s On The Wall” closes things in hard rocking fashion to non-stop grooving bass to touch upon a funk-like aura and rollicking mentality that combine to speak of Lovewar. Refrain tempers initiative and elevates catchiness as acoustic guitar and polish fortitude briefly take over.
It would not be out of line to suggest II ranks with the most underrated albums from 2022. It begins with songwriting from how the album brings 12 solid melodic metal and hard rock cuts without any filler but also encompasses complementary and equally skilled musicianship. If interested in a high quality long lost gem or a fan of eighties metal and hard rock in all its form - again, ‘hair, glam or pop’ metal’ if you will - then you can do no wrong with II. Give credit to Roxx Records for allowing the album to be completed and available to hard music fans.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Latter Reign” (4:22), “Desire” (4:17), “Dreams” (5:38), “Shine Your Light” (3:51), “Radio Paradise” (3:36), “Rotten Johnny” (5:01), “Crazy World” (4:05), “Day By Day” (3:06), “Hardened Heart” (4:14), “Won’t Go Down” (4:03), “Why” (4:41), “Writing’s On The Wall” (3:34)
Musicianship
Luis Cardenas - Lead Vocals, Drums & Bass
Brad Smith - Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Glenn Graff - Guitars
July Cardenas - Bass
