| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 37:33 |
Lordchain first appeared on our radar in 2007, when it released its fifth album of catchy groove based metal and hard rock in the 80% Angelic Warlord reviewed Finding Balance. Prior to that the Caruthersville, Missouri based act traces to 1990 and its founding by guitarist Jeff Grady and drummer, bassist and vocalist Kelly Matthews under the Eternity moniker. Subsequent to the switch to Lordchain six years later, the group went through a highly productive period in which it recorded four albums in nine years: Lordchain (1997), Cracked (2002), Soulever (2004) and Looking Past The Moment (2006). Lordchain did not hit its stride - in our opinion - until 2010 with the release of its sixth full length What Is, What Was, an 85% Angelic Warlord graded effort that in ‘proving surprisingly consistent’ and standing out as ‘by far its finest work to date’ featured 10 new compositions and re-recorded versions to five older.
Which leads us to the seventh Lordchain album in the May of 31, 2019 released Civil War. A hiatus of nine years finds both change and constants in the group’s lineup, referencing the departure of long-term member’s guitarist Matt Hale and bassist Adam Rhodes and remaining holdovers in Grady and Matthews. It also brings transition in musical direction - even if slightly - in that in maintaining its groove based underpinnings with light modern variations also ups heaviness to metal territory, at times even reaching for some thrash like angst. Vocals mirror this as well, in that while mostly of the Lordchain signature smooth and clean mid-ranged variety on occasion even touch upon some harsher (and flattering) borderline extreme elements. Also divergent is how the group backs from the excessive track listing on previous efforts - as found in the 14 cuts on Finding Balance and as noted 15 to What Is, What Was - and truncates things with a more efficient ten on Civil War.
Album opens to its minute long interlude title track made up of static, piano and voice of an older gentleman narrating from 2 Kings 17:39. This aligns with the albums theme as outlined in the groups press material:
“A civil war rages inside all of us. We have the choice to do what is easy or what is right. Know this, you CAN overcome temptation. You CAN be victorious in spiritual warfare. You CAN find life in the valley of the shadow of death.”
I wish it were possible to go into further detail but lyrics are not included with the download release or available at the albums Bandcamp page.
“Six Feet Down” ensues as an atypical Lordchain ‘face-melter. With snarling open-air guitar over vocals to start, it furrows ahead in mid-paced fashion to steady as it gets hooks (Lordchain has not lost its melody based penchant) and just enough raw aggression to taste (coarsely done vocals make appearance at the mid-point). Lead guitar touches upon the bluesy.
The engaging qualities to “Black Shadows” helps rate it with albums better cuts. It’s every bit somber as its title implies, darkened with its lower register sense of groove and bottom heavy (and incredibly catchy!) chorus to slow to a near stopping point. I particularly enjoy the passage over the final half to include stilly done guitar as spoken word delivery bounces between the left and right channels.
“Quicksand” sets apart with its diversity. It morphs between moments both calm, to delicately flow to stilly done guitars, and forceful, playing the more expansive role as guitars driven in and out of the mix with near thrash like aggression. The airy backing vocals for the reticent refrain further build upon the expansive melody.
“Our Only Hope” heightens tempo and energy, correspondingly affirming a gruffer vocal approach to trade off with the smoothly melodic but mid-ranged style of Matthews. Instrumental portion maintains the angst, as bountiful double bass transitions between lead guitar on the biting side, attributing to the abilities of Grady.
“At The End Of The Age” conversely tempers moments to a mid-paced grind. A ballad like fee manifests but with a hard rocking edge in terms of a driving and caustic form that generates a seventies influenced setting to cross the line of the blues drenched. Lead guitar mirrors this with a short but emotionally done outburst.
Introduced to several seconds of screaming feedback, “Off The Rails” starts at a near frenetic clip - by far albums fastest - as curtly done double bass prevails over the trampling low end and down tuned guitars make a battering statement. One of the albums more interesting instrumental runs decelerates to enhanced bass and offbeat keyboards (sort of like The World Will Burn).
“Light Is Your Burden” is among the Civil War heaviest. ‘Light’ it is not, as revealed in its front to back aggressive demeanor to see distorted guitars to start, occasional thrash like riffing and appearance of lower register ‘grinding’ vocals over its final minute. Yet, at a moments notice impetus settles down for quite the understated (and melodic) refrain.
“I Am, Amen” tempers things with its worshipful slant. By no means, however, does it forsake the inherent Lordchain heaviness, powering its distance as laborious guitars (to hint of power metal) carry the trenchant way and technically proficient refrain suggests of the portentous (and undeniably catchy). What we have is another example of Lordchain elevating heaviness but not forsaking accessibility all the same.
What better manner in which to end the raucous effort that is Civil War with the calmer vestiges to ballad “Hold On To Me’. All the expected ingredients unveil its length: piano to taste, affective partiality, haunting melody and by far albums most melancholic and moving vocal performance. An intense guitar solo rounds thing sout.
Underrated and overlooked might be overused terms within hard music circle but not doubt they apply to Lordchain, at least in light of its overall body of work. Quality to Civil War is such that Lordchain is certain to gain further notoriety when factoring how it maintains its slant towards catchy groove underpinnings while heightening heaviness to levels not previously reached. Mainstays remain the group’s emphasis on quality musicianship and production. My advice if a fan of Lordchain then making Civil War a purchase is an obvious choice. Likewise, if not familiar with the group then Civil War is a good place to start, although it would be encouraged pursuing its well regarded back catalog.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Civil War” (:48), “Six Feet Down” (3:32), “Black Shadows” (3:56), “Quicksand” (4:07), “Our Only Hope” (4:15), “At The End Of The Age” (3:55), “Off The Rails” (4:15), “Light Is Your Burden” (3:41), “I Am, Amen” (3:30), “Hold On To Me” (5:30)
Musicians
Kelly Matthews - Lead Vocals, Drums & Bass Guitar
Jeff Grady - Guitars & Bass
Matt Jones - Piano & Keyboards
