| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: Pastor Brad |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: |
The Highway 2 Heaven, third independently released parody covers album from Pastor Brad, verdict? Aside from more, please? I have been a fan of the Bay City, Michigan based minister and guitarist since launching Angelic Warlord in 2006 and honestly can say the three parody covers albums to his credit, which also encompass Storm The Gates (2016) and Storm The Gates 2 (2017), find him reaching his creative zenith. Yes, one might suggest Pastor Brad peaked artistically on instrumental shred albums such as Reshredded (2007), Shredded Sweet (2008) and Heavenly Shred (2008), all fine in their own right and of which I enjoy revisiting from time to time, but ultimately find myself draw to his parody releases the most.
Concept behind the three is straightforward: Pastor Brad pays tribute to the bands that inspired him to become a musician by reimagining mainstream metal and hard rock songs from the seventies and eighties with ‘lyrics that honor Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel loud and proud!’ In the words of the artist, ‘My desire is to redeem these classic songs and breath into them new purpose via a Christ-honoring message’. Consider the Storm The Gates titles in this regard by the manner in which they draw upon the words of Christ from Matthew 16: ‘I will build my Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it’. Again, in the words of the artist: ‘As God's people, we are called to crash through the gates - into dark places - with the power, love and grace of God.’
The February of 2018 released Highway 2 Heaven follows a similar pattern as its predecessors by musically staying true to the spirit of the original version to each song being covered, noting how the album incorporates styles diverse as straightforward hard rock, traditional metal, classic rock, thrash, eighties metal, southern rock and even some pop sensibilities. Artists covered once more represent a ‘who’s who’ of the period at hand: AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Styx, Led Zeppelin, Megadeth, 38 Special, Night Ranger, Scorpions, Motley Crue and Kiss, respectively. Likewise akin to his first two parody released, credit Pastor Brad for not watering things down either in that the ten Highway 2 Heaven cuts are every bit bold musically (noting the forward guitar emphasis) as they are lyrically (and upfront lyrical direction).
Nobody, for instance, is going to confuse albums opening title track, a revamped version to AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell”, as watered down. High-energy rock and roll all the way, the song impresses with its immediately identifiable crash like thunder guitar riffs and non-nonsense salvation message:
My heart was feelin’ down and blue
But you came down just in time
Because Of Jesus I can say to you
I’m on the Highway 2 Heaven
Hey sinner, be set free
Jesus is willin’ and you know he can
He can put you on
The Highway 2 Heaven
It did, nevertheless, taking some getting used to the extra syllable in the chorus, transitioning from ‘highway to hell’ (four) to ‘highway 2 heaven’ (five), but it is all good.
The as noted Pastor Brad instrumental releases actually went under the heading Pastor Brad AND (emphasis added) Friends, noting the numerous guest musicians to appear on each. Highway 2 Heaven follows suit in light of how Razorigami front man Luke Weber guests on Black Sabbath cover “We Will Fight” (originally “Neon Knights”). An unmitigated (and very up-tempo) metal slugfest, the song aligns Weber’s emotionally tinged mid-ranged vocals with a rumbling low end and ample doses of the artist’s flashy lead guitar. Outcome is one of the albums heavier pieces.
Some of those referenced pop sensibilities come into play on Styx’s “Too Much Time On My Hands” (re-titled “Obey Your Commands”). Of course, it is not all pop, however, but also classic hard rock - a vibrant coalescing of both I might add - in light of the songs forward guitar mentality and blithesome feel throughout. The catchy hooks that stand out make one understand how the song had such success on FM radio back in the day. Lyrics speak of obedience:
All your signs and wonders confirm your call
All your signs and wonders they make me want to obey your commands
I can’t imagine not livin’ my life for you
They make me want to obey your commands
There’s no doubt in my mind
You are the Way the Truth!
Make me want to obey your commands
I’m givin’ it away
I’m living my life for you
I hesitate to throw around big words such as ‘classic’ or ‘masterpiece’, but I cannot help but think they apply to Led Zeppelin cover “Savior From Heaven” (previously “Stairway To Heaven”). I do not know if this is the best Pastor Brad parody cover, but it certainly is my favorite. It succeeds from mirroring the majestic at times ballad like and others progressive splendor to the original in also starting to a quiet introduction to feature piano and recorder before moving on to its slower middle section in which rhythm guitar makes a forward statement. Following a lengthy lead guitar instrumental interlude, the song closes in the same faster and heavier rocking direction. Main difference, of course, is in lyrical direction:
Son of Isaac did know as he lay there below
The he’d seen Christ the Saviour from Heaven
And the darkness does grow
But deep inside there’s a glow
Because He promised He’d never forsake us
Yes, Yeshua is the Saviour from Heaven
So dear child please be strong for to Him your belong
You can trust Him to never deceive you
Megadeth’s melodic thrash monster “Symphony Of Destruction” has been re-titled “Orchestra Of Revolution”. The second Pastor Brad cover of a Megadeth song, noting “God’s Good” (“Peace Sells” off Storm the Gates 2), captures the heaviness to the original but does not approach the overbearing in making priority the same catchy riff focus and enticing hooks to the steamrolling chorus. Said heaviness allows the artist to highlight his gritty to soulful middle register vocal abilities.
Pastor Brad upholds a fusing of commercial leanings and southern flavorings on 38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely” (now “Help Me Jesus”). Yes, this one is on the laid back and reserved side of things, at least when placed alongside metal assault predecessor “Orchestra Of Revolution”, with its radio friendly nuances and female backing vocals of daughter Kara Windlan, but it works all the same. I particularly enjoy the bluesy aspects to the guitars, both rhythm and lead.
Another favorite is Night Ranger cover “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, reworked as “So Grateful You Love Me”. Those pop based leanings return - when also factoring cuts from Styx and 38 Special, Pastor Brad takes a bit more of a commercial approach than the first two Storm The Gates releases - and it works wonderfully. With full on emotion leading the way, the song proves a fun listen with its infectious momentum, pumping bass, melodic soloing and flattering keyboard tinctures. This one represents a testament of God’s love:
I love the way You move
I love the way that You move me
I love the way You shape
I love the way You remake and shape me
You know for twenty plus years
I was a kid on the run
I was just lookin’ for action
So grateful You love me
So grateful You love me
So grateful I want You to know
Ensuing cover of the Scorpions classic “Can’t Live Without You” has been truncated to “Can’t Live”. Distinct to it is the manner in which the artist reproduces the same tight guitar harmonies and how his soulful vocal delivery contrasts with the classic tenor to Klaus Meine. Ultimately, the hooks and melody on this one have not changed, although lyrics have:
You are the Son of Man
You’ve got the stars in Your hand
I’m so thankful for all that You are
I live by all that You said
Right from morning till bed
I live because of everything that You are
Highway 2 Heaven closes to another pair of choice pieces with covers of Motley Crue (“Father’s Will” replaces “Looks That Kill”) and Kiss (“Lift Him Up” supplants “Lick It Up”). In the spirit of staying true to the original, former just plain kicks from how it also mirrors a dark and raw streetwise sound with effervescence guitar riffs and heavy set backing vocal that adorn is catchy refrain. You will find it a challenge to keep the shouted ‘He did the Fathers will’ phrase out of your head with repeat listen.
On the latter, Pastor Brad turns a sleazy glam hard rocker into a worship metal slugfest. Good news is that the song does not back from the heavier proclivities as a result, as forwardly placed chugging guitars power things ahead until impetus explodes for the ‘Lift Him up! Lift Him up! Whoa… Because of Your love’ chorus. Overall feel is basic and straightforward but unremittingly effective.
Similar to the artists previous parody cover releases, production takes a raw but crisp and clean tone in making rhythm guitars the centerpiece to the mix, while allowing ample room for bass and guitar leads. Programmed drums are used but sound fine. As noted in my Storm The Gates 2 review, I prefer the spontaneity and intuition of a human drummer, but I also understand options are somewhat limited when it comes to recruiting a hard rock drummer in Bay City, Michigan!
Highway 2 Heaven in my opinion features the best selection of songs of the three parody covers releases- or at least the best combination of those taking a heavier tone and others on the more commercial side. It is that commercial leaning which sets the project apart - again, to these ears - referencing how many of my favorite cuts include “Obey Your Commands”, “So Grateful You Love Me”, “Father’s Will” and “Lift Him Up”, although I do not discount “Orchestra Of Revolution” or “Savior From Heaven”. Everything else is quite good.
Only thing constructive to offer would be to encourage the artist to branch out a bit in that the three albums combine for two songs each from Kiss, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Scorpions and Megadeth. Not that I can fault him in that capacity - perhaps these represent the bands that inspired him the most back in the day - but why not for variety’s sake also attempt covers of Rush, Alice Cooper, Triumph, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses or Bon Jovi?
Overall, if a fan of Pastor Brad’s two previous covers albums or enjoy any of the artists represents and are interested in altered and/or revised versions of their classic tracks, they you can do no wrong with Highway 2 Heaven. My advice would be to get all three!
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Highway To Heave” (3:18), “We Will Fight” (3:37), “Obey Your Commands” ( 4:10), “Savior From Heaven” (7:51), “Orchestra Of Revolution” (4:05), “Help Me Jesus” (3:15), “So Grateful” (4:32), “I Can’t Live” (3:44), “Father’s Will” (3:45), “Life Him Up” (3:53)
Musicians
Pastor Brad - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Programming
Kara Windlan - Vocals
Luke Weber - Vocals
