| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: Pastor Brad |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: |
Not unlike his previous parody cover albums Storm The Gates (2016), Storm The Gates 2 (2017) and Highway 2 Heaven (2018), the February of 2020 released fourth installment in the series, Three Nails, finds Pastor Brad reimagining mainstream metal and hard rock songs with ‘lyrics that honor Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel loud and proud!’ The full time minister and part time guitarist and vocalist from Cookeville, Tennessee thus maintains his calling (as it pertains to parody covers albums) ‘to pay tribute to the musicians whose music God used to inspire me to become a musician- and to glorify and honor Lord Jesus!’ To suggest he has achieved such an end would be an understatement!
So how does Three Nails measure up in comparison? What I said in my reviews to its three predecessors continues to hold true in that Three Nails impresses as every bit bold musically as it is lyrically. Hence, the manner in which it runs the gamut from traditional metal to doom metal to hard rock to hair metal to classic rock and to all things in between. In terms of specifics, Three Nails features the third Pastor Brad re-imagined cover of a Judas Priest and AC/DC song in addition to second from Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne and Iron Maiden. Other artists covered include Queen, Van Halen, Ratt, Dio and Def Leppard. Lyrically, it would be suffice to reinforce how the artists prose fulfills his calling with its bold, upfront and scriptural based direction.
Albums title track gets things started to a re-imagined version to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells”. Mirroring the gradual fade in to ringing bells and heavy-footed drums, the song moves forward to a bluesy, mid-paced guitar penchant in reinforcing the same distinct (almost haunting) melody and artists at times soulful and others earthy vocal register. Of course, things take a different heading lyrically:
Heavenly wonder, eternal reign
He left it all and for you He came
Angels singin way up in the sky
Holy King Jesus be glorified
He freed the prisoners came to give them new life
He came to win the Holy Fight
He paid the price to save you from hell
He came to set you free, paid the price with Three Nails
“Sister Mary”, a parody of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mr. Crowley”, features the first of two guest vocal appearances from Luke Weber (Razorigami). This one aligns nicely with his smooth and expansive style, imposing with its exalted and elevated form (noting the church organ and choir vocals to start) but also resonant in terms of the profound bass to command the low end (not to mention the artists intense soloing abilities).
Artist morphs Queen’s “Fat Bottom Girls” into “Kingdom Pearls”. It works beautifully, as found in the tightly woven harmony vocals (crediting the work of Josh and Kara Windlan) to meld with the signature gritty guitars (more hard rock as opposed to metal) to establish a setting of a worshipful form:
Ah… I used to curse & drink & fight
But ah… Praise the Lord I saw the light
Ah… God set my feet on solid ground
Those Kingdom Pearls they turned my whole world upside down
Hey, I was down and feeling sad
This crummy world just made me mad
In my sin, I was condemned to slavery
This is my testimony, you know the Lord came down and showed me
My sweet Jesus, He made a new man out of me
Van Halen classic “Ain’t Talkin About Love” is re-titled “Talk About Love”. It duplicates the same mesmerizing guitar harmonies in addition to the mid-point spoken word portion and the ‘Hey! Hey! Hey! shouted chanting at the end. Where it differs - and I hate to be unfair in that we ARE talking about prime Van Halen here - is that it lacks some of the youthful energy to the original. Perhaps it might have worked better if Luke Weber had provided similar type of high end backing vocals as those of Michael Anthony. Regardless, it is still a solid effort all the same.
“Gonna Call The Roll” is the Pastor Brad rendering to Judas Priest’s “Some Heads Are Gonna Roll”. Rating with the albums heaviest, the song begins to several seconds of distorted feedback prior to mauling forward to massive guitar walls as catchy hooks and riffs reign supreme. The edge and attitude from the artist vocally fits well with the songs demeanor both musically and lyrically:
Though our enemy’s fierce
Friend haven’t you heard
We’ve got God’s promise
We can stand on His Word
He’s clothed in Light, and brilliant colors
Like a thief in the night
He’s our God, He’s got power & He’s got it all under control
He’s gonna call the roll
One of this reviewer’s favorites follows in “Beware Of Danger”, a parody of Dio’s “Don’t Talk To Strangers”. I find the song to perfectly suite Weber’s versatile vocal abilities in that he can hit the delicate high notes (for the songs ethereal opening minute) but also align with an effortless smoother form to touch upon a lower register. “Beware Of Danger” otherwise successfully stays true to the Dio rendering, playing up a similar darker, sublime vibe in addition to some killer dual lead guitar between the artist and guest guitarist Art Kalenda.
“Your In Love” is the first Pastor Brad cover to a Ratt song, which is under the new title “You Found Love”. Similar to the Ratt creation, the song proves short, punchy and hook driven with its engaging guitar harmonies and melodic bass line, with latter standing out that much further on the Three Nails version. Lead guitar would turn the head of Warren DeMartini. Lyrics provide a treatise on salvation:
You turned around
He set you free
He is the one
Who made you free indeed
You found love
You’re born again
You got another shot
His love will never stop
You hit the streets for the Holy One
You’re only livin’ for the Son
You’re resurrected
You found love
Def Leppard’s “Let It Go” has been transformed into “Make it So”. Regardless of designation, it proves a straight on hard rocker with an assuming disposition - this was when Def Leppard was a metal band or at the very least, before it went on to massive commercial success - and Pastor Brad follows suite. Stripped down and raw with earthy guitar tones, flowing refrain and periodic use of cowbell
Kiss metal anthem “I Love It Loud” follows as “I’m Crying Out”. It stays true to form, with drum solo and ‘Hey! Hey! Yeah!’ chanting to start and same engaging rhythms and big drum presence to follow, although the programmed drums (which while not sounding bad) do not quite match the firecracker presence of Kiss timekeeper Eric Carr. Artist at the same time lowers his register to align with that of Gene Simmons. Overall, some of the pomp and flair to the Kiss rendition might be absent but not to be overlooked all things added up.
Talk about saving the best for last with Iron Maiden cover “Number Of The Beast” (now known as “Welcome To The Feast”). Excellent choice in guest vocalist Norman ‘Ski’ Kiersznowski, whose high end presence (with near unlimited range) proves more than capable of matching those Dickinson like wails throughout a number highlighting a light progressiveness with a moving melody and all the technical guitar and bass interplay you could ask ( of which it takes a high level of musical acumen to match!). The opening dramatic reading (from Revelation 19:6-7) at the beginning credits to Steve Maxwell. Lyrically, “Welcome To The Feast” is a song of victory:
He knows just what we feel
He has conquered hell
Sons of God
Welcome to the feast
The Lamb of God
Cast down the beast
The fire’s ablaze
Our Savior shall be praised
Come let us lift Him high
Hands held to the sky
My summary of production to the artist’s previous covers albums holds true as it pertains to Three Nails. Specifically, a raw but crisp and clean feel in making guitars the centerpiece to the mix while allowing ample room for bass and guitar leads. Programmed drums sound fine. Yes, I prefer he 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 Cookeville, Tennessee!
Overall, Three Nails presents with some fantastic re-imagined material, noting choice track such as “Three Nails”, “Sister Mary”, “Kingdom Pearls”, “Beware Of Danger”, “Make It So” and “Welcome To The Feast”. Everything else is solid. If a fan of the previous three artists parody covers albums or any of the artists/styles therein, then make Three Nails a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Three Nails” (5:02), “Sister Mary” (4:47), “Kingdom Pearls” (3:20), “Talk About Love” (3:25), “Gonna Call The Roll” (4:10), Beware Of Danger” (5:04), “You Found Love” (3:14), “Make It So” (4:41), “I’m Crying Out” (3:29), “Welcome To The Feast” (4:54)
Musicians
Pastor Brad - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Bass
Luke Weber - Lead Vocals
Norman ‘Ski’ Kiersznowski - Lead Vocals
Art Kalenda - Guitars
Josh and Kara Windlan - Backing Vocals
