Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock	Produced By:
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin:
Year Released: 2020	Artist Website: USA
Tracks: 12	Rating: 85%
Running Time: 49:48

The befittingly entitled Michael sophomore album II almost did not happen.  Turnover played a lead role in this regards as three-fourths of the groups roster appearing on debut The Battle Rages On, a custom cassette release on R.A.G.E. Records from 1995 but re-issued on CD by Roxx Records in 2019, left prior to the recording of II: drummer Dennis Raymond, keyboardist Todd Waites and bassist Mike Slone.  With vocalist & guitarist Shane Freeman its lone holdover member, Michael began work on II as a two-piece with the recruitment of drummer Vaughn Zajkek, leaving Freeman to assume bass and keyboard duties.  Michael, nevertheless, pressed on and completed the II recording process but broke up shortly thereafter, with the album ‘sitting in the can’ until Roxx Records again stepped to the plate and released it for the first time in the spring of 2020 with four bonus tracks.

Listening to The Battle Rages On and II side by side reveals a group making significant steps and strides musically in taking its songwriting to the next level.  Yes, The Battle Rages On is a fine album (noting the 80% Angelic Warlord review) but II separates with stronger songs revealing tighter melodies and catchier hooks overall.  It is also heavier in comparison.  Whereas The Battle Rages On trends AOR to melodic rock territory - noting how in the review I offered contemporaries Sweet Crystal, Idle Cure, Fighter and Petra as points of reference - II leans towards melodic hard rock and even commercial melodic metal.  Michael, at the same time, is also not afraid to branch out and on occasion explore modern to grunge territory, referencing the mid-to late nineties period in which II was recorded.

When it comes to bonus tracks, more often than not I get a sinking feeling in my stomach knowing that in many instances they are not much in the way of a ‘bonus’: poorly recorded live cuts, muddy demo tracks, off kilter alternate song versions, etc.  However, such is NOT the case here in that I find the four bonus tracks to be the albums best.  Do not know where they originate (no details in the II press material) but musically they are so good I am going to do something I have never previously done and begin the track breakdown portion to the review with the bonus material.

“When You Feel The Love”, first of the four, is a classy commercial hard rocker that similar to several tracks here mirrors a Def Leppard vibe, divulged in the understated pop influences and perfectly flowing melody of a radio friendly nature.  Freeman lowers his vocal register with some apt grit and gravel.  Lyric snippet:

When you see the you, the you you’ve never seen
When you live the life with no in-between
Embrace the truth and your heart beats clean
When you feel the love
You’ll know what I mean

You know what, what it’s like to live
‘Cause you know how to die
Set your conscience free
Stoke the fire deep inside

“Movin’ On” is good as it gets far as ballads are concerned.  It stays true to form, with moments both lighter (keyboards are delicately done) and heavier (galvanized by muscular guitars) but also accenting the type of engaging qualities (chorus hook is huge) to entice with repeat play.  Inspired, persuasive and beguiling, this one would fit right in with the eighties pop metal scene.  Lyric snippet:

Livin’ in an unseen war
What lies behind the next closed door
They say its end is drawing near
There’s only one way outta here

There is a rage, there is a love
Understanding it just ain’t enough
It’s personal, it’s deep within
Belief and faith, conquest of sin

The grungy Alice In Chains like vibe to “Crucified” is my favorite of the four.  It separates as both albums heaviest, guitars slash and snarl in lending to the songs darker resonance, and catchiest, chorus immediately grips with a hook that refuses to let go.  Yes, this one might be a bit modern but is no less essential all the same.  Lyric snippet:

Wounded, disarmed, chained inside this prison cell
Enslaved by flesh, it’s not brick or stone
I struggle to break free, can’t do it on my own

I run, I crawl, I stumble, I fall
I climb, I slide, I stand, I fight
I live because He died

Crucified for me
I stand, I fight, I live because He died

“Grace” is another first class melodic hard rock example.  Compelled from the start by a bass heavy low end, the song gradually builds emotion over its first three minutes until culminating for a momentous refrain speaking of the subject at hand: ‘and it pours down on me, and I don’t deserve it, Grace’.  In abruptly ending several seconds later, “Grace” leaves impression another minute or so deserves added to its length- perhaps with an instrumental break and second repeating of the refrain.  Lyric snippet:

Life’s full of surprises, forgiveness being’ one
A God who loves me, when I’m deserving of none
I know right from wrong
But still I go along
And do things I shouldn’t do
Again and again and again

I know I don’t live my life in a way
Deserving of God’s love, but grace it spins me
Around and around and around and around

Whereas the demo tracks might be somewhat thin production wise (drums sound programmed), the II material comes across more polished with the firmer low end and stauncher guitars (noting the Rob Colwell re-mastering).

First of the eight II cuts “Fire” continues to play up the Def Leppard sentiments as a standout melodic hard rocker equal in quality to the bonus cuts.  It advances its span slow and bluesy to gritty guitars and blithe keyboards but also exudes a conspicuous melody most often associated with the genres leading players.  It is too bad mid-eighties FM radio did not have a chance at this.

Second “Lost At The Cross” maintains the mid-tempo form incorporating equal parts guitars driven crunch and towering vocal melodies as does “No”, a bass weighted plodder with a bottom heavy vibe that seamlessly cruises its span to backing vocals continuously chanting its title.  Common to the two are generous stretches of sharply done lead guitar, with former crediting to guest guitarist Jerry Roelke and latter Freeman.

In an up-tempo direction is “We Don’t Care What They Say” as three and a half minutes of elevated straightforward hard rock of a punishing nature (it would comfortably fit on either of Bride’s Lost Reels releases, a compliment of the highest order).  Likewise, “You Need Some Faith” elevates in similar musical vein with cowbell aplenty and catchy rhythms galore as Freeman lends some of albums best gravelly vocals.

II also has its share of acoustic moments, including “We Got A Prayer” with an easy going classic rock vibe to slowly maneuver its first minute until picking up tempo to a more forward direction and “Will You Love Me” in manifesting a classy ballad form with soulful backing vocals and tenderly done guitars.  Heartfelt melody plays a commanding role on both as band finds itself at home in an acoustic environment (in similar fashion as Liberty N’ Justice’s Independence Day).

Lone song to come into question is “Kick Down The Walls”.  No, not bad but also outside the box in that I find it problematic identifying with the rap styles vocals imbuing the verse sections.  Refrain, however, smoothes out to swirling vocal melodies that distantly hint of Lovewar, so there is some good here.  In the end, the divergences are significant to the extent I tend to pass, although I can see others embracing it.

II impresses as a quality melodic hard rock with touches of commercial metal album.  Little doubt is left as to the musical maturity of Michael from one album to the next despite significant turnover it its lineup.  The bonus material makes me wish the group had recorded a third album in similar musical vein- the untapped potential is off the charts.  Regardless, I am thankful that not only the group persevered and finished II but also Roxx Records released it for the first time with such high quality packaging and re-mastering.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Fire” (4:29), “Lost At The Cross” (4:08), “We Don’t Care What They Say” (3:31), “Kick Down The Walls” (4:17), “You Need Some Faith” (3:12), “No” (4:27), “We Got A Prayer” (3:48), “Will You Love Me” (4:52),

Track Listing (bonus tracks): “When You Feel The Love” (4:20), “Movin’ On” (4:58), “Crucified” (4:15), “Grace” (3:33)

Musicians
Shane Freeman - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Keyboards
Vaughn Zajkek - Drums

Additional Musicians
Jerry Roelke - Guitars