| Musical Style: Melodic Power Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Ulterium | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: Millennial Reign |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 47:18 |
Millennial Reign is set to take the melodic metal and power metal segments by storm with the spring of 2018 Ulterium Records release of its third full-length album, The Great Divide. Musically, it sees the Dallas-Forth Worth based four piece not straying far from the direction of its October of 2015 sophomore release Carry The Fire (also Ulterium), a 90% Angelic Warlord graded work ‘characterized by its consistency, continuity and professionalism’ in which ‘engaging at once chorus hooks and melodies (prevail) throughout’. The Great Divide further realizes Millennial Reign staying true to its influences, including but not limited to (as noted in its press material) Queensryche, Crimson Glory, Audiovision, Harmony, Triumph and Signum Regis but also (at least my opinion) Rob Rock, Magnitude 9, Shining Star, Worldview and Germán Pascual.
Also unchanged is how Millennial Reign remains a project of guitarist Dave Harvey, whom represents the common denominator line up wise to the group’s first two albums, which also encompasses its independently released self-titled debut from 2012. Hence, with each Millennial Reign album comes a revamped roster, with The Great Divide featuring newcomer’s bassist Neil Bertrand and drummer Steve Nichols, who supplant the departed Daniel Almagro (bass) and Wayne Stokely (drums). Second change to report is the replacement of vocalist James Guest with new front man Travis Wills (Infidel Rising). Whereas Guest did a fine job with his heavily AOR influenced delivery, Wills contrasts with a high end to classic tenor style akin to contemporaries Todd Michael Hall (Riot V), Lance King, Rey Parra (Sacred Warrior), Rob Rock (Impellitteri) and Eli Prinson (The Sacrificed).
Wills helps the melody to opening vocal cut “Break The Tide” stand out that much further (album begins to a short instrumental interlude entitled “The Genesis”). The song snarls from the get go as irascible guitars and radiant keyboards set the striking tone, with verses providing a burly and unyielding touch and chorus a commercial flair in bestowing albums most immediately catchy hooks. Imagine the best elements to Magnitude 9 and Stryper rolled into one.
“More Than Scars” increases tempo exponentially in taking a traditional power metal heading. Keyboards continue to play a lead role but with a neo-classical edge, aligning with a rumbling mentality and equal parts elegant and heroic to make an emotional statement along similar lines as Shadow Gallery.
The instrumental lead in to “Imagine” transitions from a mid-tempo lower register form (with choral vocals lending a darker tincture) to the expeditious tempo that carries its remaining distance (reflecting a freely flowing epic aspect in the process). Harvey gets quite the workout guitar wise in the process, with his trenchant riffs impelling in and out of the mix and lead guitar allowing a barbed feel.
“Till The End” leans towards classy melodic metal, with vocal melodies derivative of an AOR mien and guitar harmonies rooted in eighties sensibilities in upholding an understated heaviness. All the while low-end makes an interminable statement, noting the spot-on work of timekeeper Steve Nichols. In the end, Rob Rock’s solo material comes to mind in light of the high-end vocal performance.
“In Your Silence” also aligns with the commercial with its eloquent semi ballad resonance. The song wafts its length drifting between verses that reflect upon the calm and reticent (interwoven with serene guitars) and refrain of a more assured variety (with rhythm guitars fixed and firm). Symphonic keyboards play a brightening role either way.
Heaviness to “The Day The Sun Stood Still” helps make it this reviewer’s choice cut. The song moves at the more forward tempo in comparison, full on power metal as the band puts its muscular energy on display to galloping riffs in abundance and perseverant mentality throughout. Harvey nails albums best stretch of intricate lead guitar.
“Behind The Time”, as its name implies, includes a ticking clock as part of its opening seconds. A marked bass presence defines it moving forward, noting the work of Neil Bertrand as it traverses the mid-tempo in upraising the near perfect melding of melody and emotion, albeit with a darker edge. I detect a faint hint of Ghost Ship era Theocracy.
“Wounds In Hand” represents albums lengthiest at just below six minutes but also one of its slowest, noting its smoothly flowing, middle of the road tempo. The song reaches for a light progressiveness, as revealed in moments that range from the reserved in which momentum stalls to a near standstill and others that gallop in freely flowing form to thickset rhythm guitars. Perhaps it is the moodiness at hand, but at times wills trends towards the lower register in hinting of Steve Walsh (Kansas).
In beginning to a keyboard solo that segues to a swiftly flowing momentum, albums title tracks points to Narnia’s “Judgement Day” (off The Great Fall). “The Great Divide” unveils a similar staunch bearing its remaining span, drawing upon equal parts weighty, as found in its churning momentum and dogged guitar focus, and full on emotion, revealed in its vocal melody propensity and cutting instrumental moments.
As with Carry The Fire, The Great Divide production is masterful with an exquisite balance of rhythm guitar, leads, vocals and bass. Lone complaint is that despite being expertly performed (and not attributed in the liner notes), keyboards are mixed a bit forward in places. No, not distractingly so or holding the listening experience back but noticeable all the same.
Lyrics, intelligently penned by Travis Wills, speak unmistakably of the group’s faith. “Break The Tide” stands out in this capacity:
On the record a changed man
No past defines him again
Yet will he make mistakes again and evermore
We’re not perfect just restored
Come alive in Christ discover
Freed from debt awaits
Break the tide that crash and cover
Truth without the noise
I identify with “More Than Scars” -
Your will is mine, and my heart is able
Steering inside brings Your way to mine
You are the word and the cross that you see
You saved me, from the darkness that overwhelms
You have been there, in the light of the darkness
You have been there as I traverse to You
- as a companion track to “Wounds In Hand”:
Where time stands still, and the sun wont’ rise
The breeze won’t blow
And there You are, by my side
With wounds in hand
I saw the light bare through
Was broken and made new from the power in You
“The Day The Sun Stood Still” focuses on the Old Testament figure Joshua:
Joshua tore down the walls
In conquest of Canaan
And the day that the sun stood still
For the battle was won
Defeated the king of Bashan
In the land of Ashtaroth
To death all the kings that are gone
Joshua’s song
The Great Divide adds up to another front to back consistent melodic power metal album from Millennial Reign. As with previous releases, it is adeptly written and performed despite the revolving line up – I use the term ‘band’ as opposed to ‘project’ in that Millennial Reign remains an active live unit – particularly in the crucial area of lead vocals. Hence, how the group seamlessly transitions from Guest to Wills, two equally talented although completely difference vocalists. Melodic power metal, at the same time, might be somewhat limiting in terms of defining Millennial Reign in that I also see hints of the eighties in its sound in terms of AOR and melodic metal nuances. Only thing constructive to note is perhaps the group could have come up with a tenth full length song to better round out the track listing, keeping in mind how good songs do not necessarily grow on trees, but if one is not available then perhaps a cover could have been recorded instead. All around, The Great Divide comes recommended as a quality melodic and metal album for fans of Millennial Reign or either genre represented.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Genesis” (:10), “Break The Tide” (5:09), “More Than Scars” (5:07), “Imagine” (4:20), “Till The End” (5:00), “In Your Silence” (5:24), “The Day The Sun Stood Still” (4:51), “Behind The Time” (5:07), “Wounds In Hand” (5:56), “The Great Divide” (5:00)
Musicians
Travis Wills - Lead Vocals
Dave Harvey - Guitars
Neil Bertrand - Bass
Steve Nichols - Drums
