| Musical Style: Progressive Metal/Ambient | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA & Canada |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: Midnight Worship |
| Tracks: 5 | Rating 85% |
| Running Time: 46:50 |
April of 2022 independent Midnight Worship sophomore album The Darkness marries a methodical Gothic doom metal focus with frequent excursions into acoustic based and keyboard driven ambient music. Result is a similar ‘mixing meditative metal with the Word of God’ approach as the Midnight Worship self-titled debut from 2019, albeit with the greater progressive penchant, noting how The Darkness features 5 songs and close to 50 minutes of music as opposed to the equal span on Midnight Worship but broken down over 12 instead. Otherwise, Midnight Worship remains the project of brothers Terry (vocals, guitars and keyboards) and Trevor (drums) Friesen, whom reinforce a similar dark and moody musical landscape as the main band in which they are best known, Sombre Holiday, but separate from an added emphasis on the ethereal and radiant.
Terry conceived the idea for Midnight Worship upon thinking to himself, “If someone asked me to write worship songs, what would they sound like?” He further expands: “Well, I love looking at the night sky… and I began looking for portions of the Bible that focus on God’s nighttime creation:
I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night (Psalm 63:6)
I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord… I rise at midnight to thank you… (Psalm 119:55, 62)’
More specifically, ‘The songs themselves have lots of room for meditating on God’s Word… some very quiet moments, like around a campfire… and also some very heavy moments that attempt to portray the power of God’s promises for us. Some of the songs have quite a lot of space for meditating - it’s really a solid journey down the path of all kinds of emotions, always keeping a finger on the heavy doom-metal button.’
Where The Darkness stands apart is from its conceptual approach in tracing the history of humanity from beginning to end, with all lyrics quoting directly from scripture. Purpose of Midnight Worship in this regard is for ‘the music to bring the listener into a deeper, more intimate connection with God, and His love for us- a musical journey with the King of the Universe’ (quoting the groups press material).
Aptly entitled opening cut “The Beginning” covers its first two and half minutes in melancholic instrumental fashion to piano and distant acoustic guitar. As drums and viola creep in, song reaches its ominous opening verse sections as Terry leads the way with his deep and moody mid-ranged vocal qualities ahead of an abrupt onslaught of aggressive rhythm guitar. Subsequent to the momentous (and quite engaging) ‘let there be light’ refrain, “The Beginning” closes its final three minutes to instrumental ethereal feedback and metal edges guitars. Song covers Genesis 1: 1-3:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth X2
The earth was formless and empty and darkness covered the deep waters X2
The spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters X2
Then God said ‘Let there be light’
“Cursed”, albums shortest at ‘just’ under eight minutes, gently drifts through its first minute to piano and orchestration in setting a somber and disconsolate tone, not picking up pace until three minutes in as storms of doom-like guitars take over. A catchy repeating of Genesis 3:19 -
For you were made from dust and to dust you will return X 2
- gives way to the final four instrumental minutes to see the doom overtures continue until supplanted by stilly done moments touching upon the tranquil. The discourse on Genesis continues (chapter 3 to be exact):
When the cool evening breezes were blowing
They heard God in the garden
So they hid from God among the trees
And God called to them, ‘where are you?’
In pain you will give birth
The ground is cursed because of you
By the sweat of your brow you shall eat
Until you return the ground
Albums epic ten-minute title track maneuvers its opening four minutes instrumentally as classical guitar and haunting backing vocals are supplanted by eerie keyboards backed by portent guitars. The forceful purpose continues to build up to the opener verse sections, with compulsion erupting as fateful impetus takes over and impels the way to the every bit mournful refrain. Return to instrumental territory to end, beginning with acoustic guitar and soaring feedback ensued by brazen soloing. Lyrics draw upon John 12:35-36:
Those who walk in the darkness
Can’t see where they are going
But you trust in the light
While there’s still time
Then you will become
Children of the Light
I have come as a Light
To shine in this dark world
So all who trust in me
Will no longer remain in the night
Then you will become
Children of the Light
“Blinded” impresses as a darkly woven Gothic ballad over its first half, intermingling acoustic vestiges and chilling keyboards until searing feedback kicks in over a rumbling low end to build upon the wistful layering. At moments notice, however, the doom takes over for the second in the form of booming riffs over bruising double bass until things return to an ethereal acoustic heading over the closing minutes. Song bases upon 2 Corinthians 3 & 4:
Satan who is the God of this world
Has blinded of those who don’t believe
They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News
Whenever someone turns to the Lord
The veil is taken away
For the Lord is the spirit
Whenever the spirit is there is freedom
So all who have the veil removed
And see and reflect the glory of the Lord
Second ten-minute epic “The Ending” might be albums most reserved but is also one of my favorites. Cinematic keyboards to start merge with acoustic guitar, the reflective aligning pointing to the precarious as distant rhythms bound in and out of the mix as eloquent lead guitar delivers a classic rock (if not jazzy) flair. Guitars that power to a more forthright presence as tension builds (underscored by narration from the Book of Revelation) gently transition to the acoustic semblance to cover the final moments (as melody hauntingly mirrors the Sombre Holiday cut “A Sea Of Distance”). Revelation 21 is the subject at hand:
And the city has no need of sun or moon
For of the glory of God illuminates the city
And the Lamb is its light
And the Lamb is light
Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day
Because there is no night there
Only those whose names were written in the Lambs book of light
Will be allowed to enter
If you like progressive metal tinctured with darker Gothic to doom overtures and ambient sensibilities, then you can do no wrong with sophomore Midnight Worship album The Darkness. No, I do not intend to invite direct comparison but if into Veni Domine, Saviour Machine, Sombre Holiday and mid-period technical metal Deliverance (all rolled into one) then I can see Midnight Worship being of interest. The tracing of humanity conceptual themes with lyrics drawing from scripture brings additional value. Yes, we are through just the first quarter of 2022, but I see The Darkness challenging for best progressive album of the year.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Beginning” (8:30), “Cursed” (7:48), “The Darkness” (10:49), “Blinded” (9:08), “The Ending” (10:36)
Musicians
Terry Friesen - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Keyboards
Trevor Friesen - Drums
