Musical Style: Hard Rock	Produced By: XL & Matt McKeown
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand
Year Released: 2022	Artist Website:
Tracks: 12	Rating: 90%
Running Time: 39:37

April of 2022 Roxx Records debut full length Skin & Bones from The Reconciled lands with a splash.  Combining the talents of veteran vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride) and multi-instrumentalist Todd Stevens (XL & DBD), The Reconciled draws upon a blues based hard rock basis akin to former as opposed to rap-influenced thrash of latter, although the group takes liberty on occasion to step outside the box.  Impression is the musical direction of classic Bride albums Kinetic Faith and Snakes In The Playground from 1991 and 1992, respectively, or more specifically the raw and gritty proclivities of  2003 comeback release This Is It.  Point being if into the Aerosmith meets Guns N’ Roses meets led Zeppelin thing, then The Reconciled should be up your alley.

Many are aware Thompson has of late been somewhat of a ‘hired gun’ (no pun intended) vocally, participating in side projects too numerous to mention but with The World Will Burn, Perpetual Paranoia and We Are Resolute being many of the more prolific.  The latest in a long line of such projects, The Reconciled came into being when Stevens reached out to Thompson two years ago about the possibility of working together.  Fast forward to the fall of 2021 and (in the words of Stevens) ‘it was off to the races from there, writing material and recording songs for (Thompson) to sing on.  We are both excited about this project, and I personally am very happy to be working with an icon in the Christian metal scene’.

Opener “Falling By The Wayside” fittingly represents the hard rocking The Reconciled sound.  It jump starts at once, hard-charging its three and half minutes to freight train momentum as distorted guitars and hooks to spare coalesce.  Stevens proves adept in the blues soaked soloing department.  Lyric snippet:

The dead is quickened in the blink of an eye
The grave has no power over promised life
Saved to the uttermost the work of
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Every thought and notion and terrible act
Shall be brought to judgment
All must come remorseful things
Hard to hear shall be spoken

“To Burn” separates with a Zeppelin style bouncing low-end groove pointing to a 70’s classic rock vibe.  Thompson gets things going with a fitting falsetto, a contrasting mid-tempo leaning maintained as chunky riffs and every bit engaging qualities lead the arresting way over a backdrop of added high-end screams.

Albums title track maintains the mid-paced focus, building upon a mirthful disposition as blues drenched (and quite catchy) harmonies to draw upon Aerosmith play a lead role.  “Skin & Bones” otherwise stays true to the earthy formula with its defining raspy vocal penchant and heavy hitting refrain.  Lyric snippet:

Remember that night when you came to my rescue
I had had enough, I was done
I was one click away from using the gun
I have you to thank you alone
To all of my friends who drove me home

Nothing but skin and bones
In the hour I’m alone

“Fly In The Ointment” returns to an upbeat vibe with open-air guitar to start ahead of full on energy and blithesome hooks but without forsaking the groups ingrained heaviness.  Interestingly, the spoken word feel to vocals brings to mind Alice Cooper, and in the most beguiling sense.  In the end, this is another example of the catchy groove to make The Reconciled so successful. 

It’s About Time” reveals as a bare bones hard rocker.  Guitars come across particularly pronounced, highlighting albums full and vibrant production in the process, as does the pronounced melody to draw in with repeat play.  Song leaves according impression as a This Is It outtake.  Lyric snippet:

I got something to say
No, no I will obey
The Word of Truth
Will set me free
It’s good news,
Lamp unto my feet

Covered in the blood
The blood of the Son
Love has won, what’s done is done

I take to “I Give All” with its variances.  Song takes off from the get go, letting loose with a commanding riff presence (to reveal an anthem metal touch) in exuding a ton of sass and attitude (more spoken word portions vocally) but with darker vestiges for the hulking refrain.  I appreciate the Southern vibe to the instrumental moments.

“Feet Of Clay” begins its first minute and half calm and lucid to gentle guitar and flowing vocal melodies, but at the moment you think it is a ballad, guitars step forward to set the forthright tone.  Demeanor is uplifting rest of the way, amalgamating a pull you in proclivity and crunch heavy focal point to rate with albums best.  Lyric snippet:

All is reborn made new,
Sins and trespasses and all things cruel
Has no place, no reason to exist
Heart of man is convinced

Of all the things done under the sun
The good, the righteous deed and sin
I must confess
Cast your eyes on my feet of clay

Albums most bluesy is “Think About Me”, pointing to a Bride meets Aerosmith resonance with its blocky complexion and rugged flavorings.  The pronounced melody entices, as does the luring guitar work of Stevens, whom would do brother Troy Thompson proud.

I identify with “You Don’t Know Me” as a no frills and bare bones hard rocker.  No, not albums catchiest and not standing out in same manner as some here but still good (and full of energy) all the same.  Bonus points for how the Southern flavorings return for the instrumental interlude.  Lyric snippet:

You don’t know me
I’ve been with you a long time
You don’t know me
The Way, the Truth, the Life
You don’t know me
I’m always by your side
You don’t know me
I bring you into the Light

All who love me
Will do what I say
And my Father with love Him
A brand new day

This reviewer’s choice track is “Lay It Down”.  It starts acoustically to lower register vocals ahead of unleashing in full force, emanating some of the catchiest riffs you will hear to compel it forward only to back from the intensity in returning to an acoustic form to close.  “Lay It Down” successfully captures the brilliance to Snakes In The Playground in the process.

“The 11th Hour” is albums lone outside the box moments with its rap infused modern metal leaning.  Despite not being my cup of tea, I kind of like the song in that it does not lack engaging qualities, although I might take exception if entire album were in this direction.  Closer “Devil’s Smoke”, on the other hand, better aligns with The Reconciled sound in returning to straightforward hard rock territory with its forward from the get go tempo in which melodic bass commands the verse sections and unrelenting ardor the permeating refrain.

The Reconciled rank among my favorite Dale Thompson side projects, with least of not which being is the blues based Bride style hard rock basis but also memorable songwriting to keep you returning for repeat listen.  Great songs make up great albums and such is the case with Skin & Bones.  As always, Thompson remains in fine form vocally, while Stevens capably handles things from a multi-instrumental standpoint.  If into hard rock or any of the artists mentioned herein, then The Reconciled debut Skin & Bones represents a priority purchase.   

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Falling By The Wayside” (3:28), “To Burn” (3:01), “Skin & Bones” (3:16), “Fly In The Ointment” (3:18), “It’s About Time” (3:03), “I Give All” (3:32), “Feet Of Clay” (4:03), “Think About Me” (2:55), “You Don’t Know Me” (2:45), “Lay It Down” (3:34), “The 11th Hour” (3:10), “Devils Smoke” (3:32)

Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocal
Todd Stevens - All instrumentation