| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independnt / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1988 / 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 41:30 |
It’s been a long time coming. After literally decades of waiting, the Paradox back catalog has finally seen proper re-issue. The talented San Antonio, Texas based act traces to 1987 and the release of its highly regarded 8 song custom cassette Ruler in which it debuted its ‘high energy, technical heavy metal (sound) that walks a fine line between that of the melodic (although wisely avoiding hair metal territory) and power kind (noting the occasional neo-classical influence)’. As quoted from the 80% Angelic Warlord review of the spring of 2020 Retroactive re-issue, which features a detailed 8-page mini booklet and re-mastering for improved sound quality (noting the work of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics and Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound, respectively).
Paradox returned a year later with its 5 song sophomore EP Power & Glory to take a similar musical stance from how it proves to be (again referencing the review) ‘heavier than many of its peers (in) having more in common with Barren Cross, Bride and Soldiers Under Command era Stryper as opposed to Guardian, Fear Not and Holy Soldier’. Fall of 2020 Retroactive CD and vinyl re-issue once more employs the talented graphics design and re-mastering team of Waters and Colwell. It is also home to four hard to find bonus tracks in “Give A Listen” (Big Rage! Volume 1 version), “Called & Chosen” (demo), “We Are The Temple” (Brave New Music version) and “Sweet Reunion” (accompaniment track).
Of note is the immaculately done black and white booklet (in line with cover art) to include vintage band photos, write up from vocalist Manny Castillo, montage of concert flyers and magazine reviews. A Paradox trading card comes with packaging as well! As for production, similar to Ruler, Power & Glory might not bring a high level of big budget polish but sounds find for a self-financed work recorded using late eighties technology. A good measure of this attributes to re-mastering, which allows a crisp and clean sound filtering out any muddiness that can potentially hold back independent recordings of the time.
I am not here to tell fish stories, but the Paradox story is about one that got away, alongside other top unsigned bands of the time such as Soldier, Apostle, Revelation, Taker, Armada, Crossforce, and a host of others. According to Castillo’s write up, subsequent to the release of Ruler, Paradox had contract offers from R.E.X., Frontline, Intense, Star Song and Word Records when rhythm guitarist John Vidaurri tragically died in a car accident in late 1987. Each record company proceeded to pull its offer from the table over concern how the loss was going to impact songwriting ability of the band. Paradox, nevertheless, pressed on and completed work on Power & Glory (as quoted by Castillo):
‘We new that John had a vision to bring us together and he would have wanted us to finish it. In my heart of hearts, I knew John was pulling on the Lord’s robe, asking to send Paradox and open door’
Albums opening title track proves classic Paradox. “Power & Glory” exudes exultant energy, straining towards the adroit heaviness of traditional and power metal, but exuding a seething catchy flair inherent to that of the melodic kind. With its best of both worlds form, if recorded today it might fall under the heading of ‘melodic power metal’. Perhaps it is just me, but I am reminded of I Shall Conquer era Leviticus, albeit with completely different vocals. Lyric snippet:
We see the lightning splitting the sky
We hear the thunder and shake with fright
We feel the pressure of rushing winds
There must be something that’s causing this
A gentle rose, a singing in the sky
The hand of Jesus Christ
Speaking of which, Castillo impresses with his immediately recognizable classic tenor voice with a high-end falsetto penchant. Putting in an equally good showing are brothers Efrain (providing the dexterous timekeeping) and Phil (technical bass as required) Galicia, while Fern Hernandez leads the way with his ripping lead guitar.
“I Just Want To Love You” strains towards a commercial metal sound and in a good way. With several seconds of open-air guitar to start, the song proves up-tempo manifest with breathing bass and eminent rhythm guitars but also a commanding draw you in on first listen melody that if given opportunity could have made waves on FM radio. In other words, what we have is classic eighties metal that is heavy but engaging at the same time. Lead guitar takes a fitting bluesy tone. Lyric snippet:
I’ve prayed all through the night
Crying tears in loving pain
Hoping that you’ll see the Light
Right behind my passion rain
My God created love
He gave it to the world
You are my only love
You are my world
“Meet The King” returns to a high-energy metal form, with drum solo to start and falsetto from Castillo giving way to the exuberant power riffing to carry its distance. Occasional double kick drum lends a power metal quality, as does an inclining towards a sublime if not imposing flair. Lone complaint revolves around cheesy lyrics: Turn it up all the way, rock all night, rock all day / Bang you head tonight, raise the dead in Christ
Yes, we have encountered this type of prose before - and from some of the leading players within the ‘white metal’ scene - so we will cut the guys from Paradox some slack, OK?
Ballad “Sweet Reunion” comes across in the form of a joyous anthem written in tribute to Vadaurri. It follows the ballad formula and very well at that, with classical keyboards to start ahead of serenely done verse sections interlaced with distant guitars and layered vocal melodies. Impetus gradually builds until culminating for the emotionally tinged ‘oh, oh, a sweet reunion, all sadness is gladness to stay’ refrain. Heavier rocking guitars crunch in over the final half. Lyric snippet:
I’m glad you’re sharing joy with God
But it hurts to be apart
But I know that someday very soon
I hope it’s very near
I will see you once again
And it’s good to know
There’ll be no end
Oh, Oh, a sweet reunion
All sadness is gladness to stay
All angels are singing
I’m so happy to see you again
Final Power & Glory track, “Gods’ Amazing Grace”, is a two-minute feedback driven open-air guitar instrumental bringing to mind Rex Carroll’s work in Whitecross.
Best Paradox production reveals on the bonus material by capturing just enough polish but not to the extent of dampening the group’s youthful energy. Perhaps this is what Paradox might have sounded if it had signed a deal? “Give A Listen” reveals such in manifesting prodigious amounts of low end groove, with intense riffs and equally prominent hooks as Hernandez turns things into a personal shred fest and Castillo implores the listener to ‘believe with all of your heart’. This holds up well to the best Barren Cross, Bloodgood and Bride from the same era have to offer. Lyric snippet:
With no true peace anywhere in sight
I sought my answers, running from the light
I thought I held real power like a thing
One can hold in his hand
Oh won’t you give a listen
To what we are saying
And believe with all of your heart
Likewise, “Called & Chosen” from how it highlights a light progressive complexion. Opening first minute is instrumental in carried by electrifying lead guitar and subsequent two tempered and portent as the stilly done guitars create a dreamy landscape. Impetus, however, abruptly rebounds as guitars crash in and propel things to the empowered refrain: We are the called, we are the Chosen! Razor edged guitars power the instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
Come turn from darkness
Run through the day
Come look with open eyes
To find the only way
His spirit guides you in knowledge
And leads you in His peace
Jesus Christ has paid the price
So with the Father we can be
“We Are The Temple”, lone Ruler track to appear, also delivers its share of variances. It twists back and forth its span between tranquil moments with a darker tincture as easy going guitars lead the way and others in which those on the hard rocking side crash in to impel the chanted vocal harmony driven (and quite commercial) refrain. Brazen lead guitar reminds of David Zaffiro at his best. Lyric snippet:
Singing unto the Lord is done so easily
Just grab a mic and stand
And lift your voice in harmony
Sing to the Lord all day
Praise Him in every way
Ad you will see the Light
You’ll want to sing with us
“Sweet Reunion” accompaniment track is bit rough production wise, almost as if it were recorded live in the studio. A heavier keyboard mix stands out in the process. Regardless, it is still a good song and worth its inclusion in form that differs from the Power & Glory version.
I am going to sum up in the same manner as I did in my Ruler review by suggesting that Power & Glory reveals Paradox a talented young band starting to his its prime stride. Unlike some young groups whose songwriting has not matured beyond the moderate to not quite memorable stage, Paradox has mastered at such a young stage the art of composing remarkably relevant material. Hence, how it is too bad Paradox ranks among the many talented unsigned ‘white metal’ bands from the time to have ‘gotten away’. Regardless and fish stories aside, credit Retroactive for making a long out of print and hard to find collectors item in Power & Glory available for the first time in decades in such a highly upgraded format.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Power & Glory” (4:46), “I Just Want To Love You” (5:12), “Meet The King” (3:30), “Sweet Reunion” (5:31), “God’s Amazing Grace (2:12)”, “Give A Listen” (4:17) (bonus track), “Called & Chosen” (5:28) (bonus track), “We Are The Temple” (4:49) (bonus track), “Sweet Reunion” (5:44) (bonus track)
Musicians
Manuel Castillo - Lead Vocals
Fernando Hernandez - Lead Guitar
Phil Galicia III - Bass & Keyboards
Efrain Galicia - Drums
