| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: Pastor Brad |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: |
One Holy Night, the second album of original vocal material released in 2019 from Cookeville, Tennessee based guitarist and full time minister Brad Windlan, comes across traditional metal-esque in form but stuffed with eighties melodic metal hooks. Better known within hard music circles as Pastor Brad, the artist put out in February Rock This World, an 80% Angelic Warlord work with a ‘melodic heavy metal bent that also touches upon classic metal (to feature some of the artists heaviest material ever) and even the modern to pop based (when trending outside the box)’. With a release date in late November, One Holy Night impresses as a musical continuation of Rock This World but highlighting the more musically focused and concentrated package of songs in addition to many of Pastor Brad’s strongest riffs and choruses to date.
It is also the artist’s first concept album in representing a collection of songs following the Christmas story as told in the New Testament. Hence, Pastor Brad describing One Holy Night as a ‘metal Christmas album’ is spot on! When initially approached about the project, I thought it was going to be another album of rocked up versions to traditional Christmas songs, referencing his 2008 Satriani style instrumental Heavenly Shred release to encompass tracks such as “Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, “Deck The Halls”, “Joy To The World” and others. I could not be more wrong in that One Holy Night is actually not a Christmas covers album but rather is exclusive to ten unique compositions that form a unique whole in re-telling the Christmas story, albeit in metal and hard rock Pastor Brad fashion!
Side Note 1: All song subject matter descriptions are as provided by the artist.
Opening songs “Emptied” and “Destiny” detail Jesus’ willingness to leave Heaven, become a servant and to die for us as Savior, and the story of the appearance of the angel to Mary and her humble response, respectively. Former impresses as straight up heavy metal with driving riffs, melodic harmonies and catchy hooks to spare, while latter starts slow and eerie to offbeat bass only to gain force and take a more forward direction with a catchy chorus and layered vocal melodies at the end. Distinctive to the two is the artist’s soulful to gritty mid-ranged vocal delivery.
“Incarnation”, as its title implies explores the mystery of the incarnation - the Word becoming flesh - within Mary to be born of this world, decelerates to a mid-paced heading but more aggressive with assailing riffs and shouted backing vocals. “Doesn’t Make Sense”, reflecting the struggles of Joseph (receiving the news his betrothed was pregnant and that the babe was indeed the Messiah), ensues as one of my favorites with its cacophony of discordant guitars and bass, cool spoken word vocals and as engaging a chorus you will find. Attributing to the pair are ample doses of Pastor Brad’s shred style melodic soloing.
Side Note 2: If into eighties style instrumental hard rock or the new Angelica album, be sure to check out the artist’s series of instrumental guitar albums, to include not just the aforementioned Heavenly Shred but also Reshredded (2007), Shredded Sweet (2008) and Back To The Shredder (2011).
Fifth cut “Jump” accounts Mary’s visit to Elizabeth to tell her the news of the Angel’s visit and John the Baptist’s subsequent leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. It proves an assorted track, with verses dreamy and stilly done in mirroring a doom-like vibe and chorus contrasting with an assertive form but also slightly offbeat from how it repeats the songs title in shouted fashion. Better is “Will You Make Room” with its focus on Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem for the census and finding no room in the inn. Also among my choice cuts, it joins straight on hard rock with some flattering groove to funk elements in storming its distance to high-energy riffs and catchy ‘no room’ backing vocals.
The story moves on to the narrative of the Shepherds outside Bethlehem with the announcement of Christ’s birth on “Who Is Jesus”. What we have is one of the albums more up-tempo tracks, decisive and assured from the start with a barebones hard rock aspect and energetic chorus that while memorable also might be repeated a few too many times to the point of repetition. Still, it is a good song regardless. “Our Offering” fittingly follows in depicting the visit of the Magi from the east (following the star) coming to worship the newborn King. Musically, it is the albums longest at five and a half minutes as a metal anthem mauler with a heavyset low end and all the crushing guitars you could ask. Haunting backing vocals lend a portent feel.
Shorter but pensive at three minutes, “Disturbed” proves another fast paced, keyed up cut with an aggressive (almost thrash to speed metal) demeanor in playing up a militant if not hard charging mentality. Double bass plays a fitting role. It focuses on Herod’s jealousy and mad plan to destroy the Messiah. “Born In Me” fittingly closes the album in worship rock fashion with an AOR tinged modern feel to revel in the joyous and inspired in welcoming/inviting Jesus to be born afresh in our hearts to rule and reign as Savior and Lord!
What I have noted in previous Pastor Brad reviews still holds true as it pertains to production, which sounds fine for an independent release in coming across raw but crisp and clean in making rhythm guitar centerpiece to the mix while allowing room for bass and guitar leads. Programmed drums also sound fine, keeping in mind, I would prefer a real drummer but that options can also be limited for self-financed one-man band type projects.
Musically, One Holy Night represents a musical continuation of the direction taken on Rock This World with its focus on straightforward heavy metal within a melodic metal context. It would also not be out of line to suggest it features some of Pastor Brad’s strongest riffs and choruses, with One Holy Night correspondingly coming across inspired when factoring the conceptual subject at hand. Artist at the same time strategically aligns the mood and emotion of each song to the subject in question. If interested in a metal and hard rock Christmas album or original material then One Holy Night is a choice place to start.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Emptied” (4:12), “Destiny” (4:12), “Incarnation” (3:30), “Don’t Make Sense” (3:10), “Jump” (3:44), “Will You Make Room” (3:19), “Who Is this Jesus” (4:39), “Our Offering” (5:25), “Disturbed” (3:14), “Born In Me” (3:45)
Musicians
Pastor Brad - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Programming
