| Musical Style: Melodic Power Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Ulterium | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: Millennial Reign |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 49:23 |
World On Fire is a melodic power metal album situated at the juncture of symphonic European and classic US based aesthetics. The Ulterium Records third full length offering from Millennial Reign delivers the lustrous keyboards and technical intricacies of the former but does not forsake the forthright intent and brazen demeanor to latter. Upshot is a work drawing upon equal parts melodic in terms of accessible staying power and heavy from standpoint of the guitar driven fortitude to go in hand.
The last time we heard from the Dallas, Texas based four piece was 2021 and the independent release to its appropriately entitled four song EP Carry The Fire Again, which in featuring re-recorded versions to four songs off the groups 2015 debut Carry The Fire (also Ulterium) introduced talented new front lady Tiffany Galchutt. World On Fire finds her maintaining a similar standout performance from highlighting an expansive delivery in which she exhibits ability to stretch for a searing high note but also temper things and sing in milder fashion.
The group previously put out in 2018 its Ulterium Records sophomore effort The Great Divide to feature predecessor and classic tenor vocalist Travis Wills. When placed alongside, World On Fire finds the group highlighting a sound that while more keyboard heavy, symphonic and melodic proves no less able. Hence, opening vocal cut “Bring Me To Life” (album opens to first of two short keyboard instrumentals “Exousia”) to accent double bass, luminous keyboards and underpinning resolute guitars. Hooks are subtle but persuasive and aura of a laid back form. The Great Fall era Narnia comes to mind.
“Wandering” opens its instrumental minute and half to pleasing Middle Eastern rhythms in which sitar separates. Initial verse sections, however, decelerate to Neil Bertrand’s fathomless bass ahead of guitars recoiling in magnetic fashion and joining with stately keyboards to back the illustrious refrain. The extensive mid-point instrumental run highlights guitarist and founding member Dave Harvey’s intense playing. Lyric snippet:
All my life just drifting
Aimless, pointless, shifting
Won't look behind
I lose my life to find
Now I know that you are here with me
The old life is history
You are here with me
I’ve tied my life to Christ the king
And now that I can see
Heaven is smiling on me
“Trust” hints of the commercial. It starts to piano ahead of melodic guitars pulsing in, hinting of hard rock as opposed to metal as beguiling harmonies play a forward role while touching upon AOR as revealed in the bounding pop-based refrain. Expert control exhibited by Galchutt, as she aligns with the songs relaxed resonance in revealing an even side to her abilities.
“We Follow On” ups tempo to speed based territory. Pedro Cortes’ double kick drum and verve driven riffs play corresponding lead roles, elevating the excited disposition as the groups octane driven European lacings draw in with repeat play. Mercurial lead guitar and intricately woven rhythms take over instrumentally. Lyric snippet:
You heal the sick and raise the dead
You call them to see
With just one word
How is that possible
We follow on
We hope to find
Are you the one who is to come?
We've been waiting all our lives
Should we keep searching or be moving on?
Are you the way, the truth, the life?
“Eternity” accents its share of diversification. Song transitions between reticent moments to see guitar play a tempered role and others in which pace elevates as guitar powers to a forward position: back and forth and back and forth again to reach for the progressive. Of note is manner in which soaring vocals hold sway over the curtly done but victorious refrain. Five songs in and it must be noted the clear production allowing all instrumentation to separate in the mix.
Albums second half opens to its final instrumental “Parousia” ahead of moving on to several of its heaviest tracks beginning with “Crack The Eastern Sky”. It brings a heavier guitar basis akin to The Great Divide, with classic metal style riffing leading the way over recoiling drums in maintaining a technical allure to once more point to the progressive. An apocalyptic theme manifests in the sublime refrain and lyrics to match:
Riding on a cloud
Coming as he said
Wrath upon the proud
Peace to those he's wed
Riding on a white horse
Faithful and true
Coming to rescue
Those who've endured
Crack the eastern sky
Raise the dead to life
With keyboard solo to start, “Tongues Of Fire” maintains the heavier bent, albeit not without choral overtures and a stately form mirroring the symphonic. Tempo revolves between the upbeat and mid-paced in playing up and epic European bent I can see fans of Theocracy embracing. Millennial Reign puts it all together on this one!
“World On Fire” represents a high-energy outburst, fervent with its crashing guitars walls but equally scintillating in terms of the poignant keyboards to radiate the backdrop. At this point, it deserves note the magnificently done keyboard work throughout- I wish the albums liner notes provided attribution in this regard. Albums title track otherwise revels with its mercurial hooks and lucid riffs to draw in with repeat play. Lyric snippet:
Coming home to find
Everything gone I hold dear
My heart, my life
Is crushed in the gloom of despair
Hold on
Be strong
I, I'll be by your side
I'll lead you through the night
I'll be your help in time of trouble
I, I'll be by your side
I'll lead you through the night
I'll be your help in time of trouble
The Sacred Warrior like “Onward To Victory” ensues. As its title implies, it proves a triumphant piece alive with a militant predisposition and combative demeanor to speak of a spiritual warfare battle anthem. Shouted backing vocals of a traditional metal form further build upon the staunch heaviness. Wondrous guitar harmonies that give way to focuses leads command things instrumentally.
Talk about saving the best for last in terms of dynamic Triumph cover “Allied Forces”. Song gives Galchutt opportunity to reveal the full breadth of her range as she elevates for the high end in full on emotion, but also reaches down to reveal heartfelt grit and passion. Each member of the band stretches to match her in terms of precision and adroit performance. A fantastic video captures Millennial Reign in the studio to boot!
If a fan of melodic power metal with a symphonic edge, I cannot help but think third Millennial Reign full-length offering World On Fire will be of interest. Likewise, I can see fans of the group’s previous works finding the album of interest as well. Yes, World On Fire places a bit more emphasis on keyboards compared to its predecessors but otherwise sees Millennial Reign hitting its stride in terms of performance, songwriting and production. In the end, I see it being a top five album of the year candidate.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Exousia” (:44), “Bring Me To Life” (5:12), “Wandering” (5:33), “Trust” (5:08), “We Follow On” (4:28), “Eternity” (4:20), “Crack The Eastern Sky” (4:25), “Tongues Of Fire” (4:37), “Worlds On Fire” (4:47), “Onward To Victory” (4:31), “Allied Forces” (4:50)
Musicians
Tiffany Galchutt - Lead Vocals
Dave Harvey - Guitars
Neil Bertrand - Bass
Pedro Cortes - Drums
