Musical Style: Instrumental Hard Rock	Produced By:
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2021	Artist Website: Layton & Martin
Tracks: 10	Rating: 80%
Running Time:

It’s not easy to roll two musical forms into one, but that’s the task taken up by Layton & Martin on its May of 2021 Roxx Records debut full length Roxology (Unearthing Majestic Hymns From The Catacombs).  Layton, as in guitarist Nick Layton (Firewolfe, Q5), and Martin, better known as Roger Dale Martin (Vengeance Rising, Die Happy), have worked together to create an instrumental work in which they combine classical hymns with contemporary rock music.  The project represents the culmination of a years work that began when Layton put together the song “Deep Deep Love Of Jesus” for the ‘So What?’ podcast of Sanctuary International.  He later started work on additional re-imagined hymns with the goal of recording a full-length album, but he needed a musical partner in which to bounce off ideas.  Enter Martin, whom heard the material and jumped on board.

The Layton & Martin press material best sums things up: ‘In the 21st century, the hymns are largely ignored, as well as their deep and rich content - relegating them to the catacombs of music history. Beyond that, many people who have a great connection to hard rock and heavy metal music have not been introduced to these masterpieces of musical expression. Thus Roxology.  Ten amazingly arranged and performed classic hymns that not only Rox your ears, but your soul as well.’

Interestingly, CD packaging includes lyrics to each song.  Again, further detail from the group: ‘(they are provided) so the listener can spend time meditating on the great Biblical truths declared by the original hymn writers’ all the while, ‘the music will enrich you in your pursuit of a deeper and richer worship of our Majestic God’.

Instrumental rock music has been a mainstay in the Christian hard music scene dating to the nineties and artists such as Jeff Scheetz and Fourth Estate, whom each released multiple albums.  Recent years have seen Angelica get in on the act with its 2019 offering Without Words in addition to Bill Menchen’s 2015 Blues Metal Trance project.  Yet, with the possible exception of Pastor Brad, whom re-recorded several hymns on his 2008 instrumental album Heavenly Shred, no other artists come to mind that approach classic hymns from an instrumental hard rock standpoint. Hence, manner in which Layton & Martin stand out uniquely in this regard!

The two are at their best on opener “A Mighty Fortress”, majestic and splendid as ever with Layton’s unmistakable guitar melody wrapped in an eighties shred overlay.  Impact elevates to a more forward direction both a minute in, skyrocketing to a breakneck tempo, and over the final minute, as guitars advance to the forefront over double kick drum.

Note: this is not the only time “A Mighty Fortress” has been covered, referencing Stronghold’s rendering under the title “Stronghold” as the opening track off its 1982 debut release Fortress Rock.

Love “How Great Thou Art” begins to Martin’s distorted bass solo, maintaining the low-end angst throughout, ensued by all the melodic riffs you could ask and further building upon the eighties shred allure.  Yet, when placed alongside “A Mighty Fortress”, “How Great Thou Art” reflects added buoyancy and up-tempo mirth.  Second great song in a row.

Slower and moodier direction reveals on well-known Christmas carol “O Holy Night”.  On one hand, splendid in terms of its lush beginning to end harmonies; on the other, also not forsaking the heavier side, revealed in guitars approaching from a metal standpoint.  All the while Layton adorns the grandiose scene with his exquisite playing.

“The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus” also resonates some of albums heavier moments.  Initiating to a classical keyboard solo, it trudges forward to a full on metal edged feel - guitars particularly dig and bite - but not without symphonic keyboards decorating the backend.  Despite the weighty feel, occasional moments appear of a calmer and gentler nature. 

Also forthright is “Nothing But The Blood”, ominous and pensive with its curt form, with eerie feedback back the focus, but equally melodic in light of the grand melodies to command its lengthy.  I also take to the flaming lead guitar launching between the left and right channels.  Lone complaint is how the song fades out a bit premature at the three-minute mark.

Also on the shorter side at two and a half minutes is “The Old Rugged Cross”.  Song rolls forward from the start in high-energy fashion, home to abundant kick drum but not backing from the catchy guitar melody penchant in elevating an inspiring if not uplifting feel.  Martin lays down a complementary lighthearted bass line.

Album revisits four-minute territory on “They’ll Know We Are Christians (By Our Love)”.  What we have is a richly orchestrated number with soaring feedback and atmospheric allure to start prior to giving prominence to a textured and ornate feel moving ahead.  Yet, Layton & Martin do not forsake its ingrained heaviness, as rhythm guitar furrows and drives, nor its finesse-filled side, manifest in harmonies with a light medieval tincture.

This reviewer’s favorite is six minute “It Is Well”.  Home to a harmony driven slant, song slowly wafts through its atmospheric first minute to affable guitars only to power forward to a more assertive demeanor to guitars with added punch.  “It Is Well” otherwise sees Layton again assert his flashy guitar abilities.

“Holy Holy Holy”, not unlike “A Mighty Fortress” also previously covered (by Sacred Warrior off 1989’s Master’s Command), rebounds to a more forthright direction.  Open air guitar covers the opening seconds, with assertiveness magnifying as imposing guitars step up to propel the remaining forward way, albeit not without taking the occasional turn towards the bluesy.  A distinctive melody correspondingly cannot help but rise to the surface.

Roxology closes to its shortest and least interesting piece in two minute “I’ll Fly Away”.  It takes a punchy hard rock stance, with a touch of eighties shred but also fast paced in yielding underpinning groove based elements.  Yet, due to its abbreviated span, something also seems missing in that just as impetus peaks song fades out without establishing itself.

Roxology adds up to a very good multi-dimensional instrumental hard rock album.  Credit the duo of Nick Layton and Roger Dale Martin for staying true to the spirit of each classic hymn while refurbishing them with a current if not up to date musical sheen.  Some top-notch material realizes in the process, including personal favorites “A Mighty Fortress”, “How Great Thou Art”, “The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus”, “Nothing But The Blood” and “It Is Well”.  Lone complaint is a couple songs end somewhat premature for my taste.  Still, if interested in an instrumental metal and hard rock album with a unique twist, you can do no wrong with Layton & Martin debut Roxology.

Review by Andrew Rockwell 

Track Listing: “A Mighty Fortress” (3:58), “How Great Thou Art” (4:29), “O Holy Night” (3:48), “The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus” (3:14), “Nothing But The Blood” (3:01), “The Old Rugged Cross” (2:37), “They’ll Know We Are Christians (By Our Love)” (4:01), “It Is Well” (6:04), “Holy Holy Holy” (4:50), “I’ll Fly Away” (2:08)

Musicians
Nick Layton - Guitars
Roger Dale Martin - Bass