| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Michael Heald & Billy Vaughn |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 70% |
| Running Time: 35:45 |
After what feels like the worlds longest gestation period between albums, Pasadena, Texas based Shining Force returns in follow up to its 2003 self-titled sophomore effort with the summer of 2019 release of its third full-length offering By The Blood. Despite the passing of sixteen years, Shining Force maintains both its core lineup of vocalist Randy Dickey and guitarists Richard Navarro and Billy G. Vaughn Sr. and musical direction, noting the technically influenced classic metal laced with US power metal qualities distinctive to By The Blood. Also unchanged is the groups focus on ministry when factoring its origin traces to the mid-nineties and a vision from God to Vaughn to do outreaches primarily in the parks in the poverty-stricken wards of Houston. With Matthew 5:18 its signature scripture verse, Shining Force realizes said vision to this day in light of its goal (as noted in its press material) ‘to see souls won to the Kingdom of God, set the captives free, minister to the sick, imprisoned, children, hungry, widow, orphans and single parent homes’.
Whereas Shining Force leaves little doubt in terms of its motives, main question revolves around whether By The Blood represents good art. It certainly improves upon Shining Force, a 50% Angelic Warlord reviewed work that ‘includes way too much filler’ while featuring ‘production of the mid-eighties-demo-recorded-on-a-four-track-in-the-garage variety’. Production receives a significant boost when factoring the much cleaner (albeit trebly) sound realized in firmer rhythm guitars, better balanced lead vocal mix and enhanced drum presence (not missed are the clanking St. Anger style trashcan lid drums to Shining Force!). Also upgraded is packaging that includes eye catching cover art and a professionally done mini-booklet with lyrics, liner notes and band photos.
Musically, it is another story in that while By The Blood meets expectations in terms of raw heaviness and power, it also does not always bring the catchy hooks and decided melodies to garner your attention with repeat play. It would not be out of line to suggest as a result that individual songs struggle to separate and stand apart as they should, manifesting in a somewhat sameness feel overall. It might also be accurate to describe the Shining Force approach as less commercial and more riff-driven in emphasizing the powerful and assertive as opposed to accessible. Either way, I do not wish to be unduly harsh because when the album is at its best it recaptures the qualities that made better Shining Force songs “God Is Calling”, “Bow Down”, “The One I Love”, “Come Quickly” and “Holy Nation” so good.
By The Blood begins to short guitar feedback and keyboard instrumental “The Rising”, which segues to initial vocal cut “Resurrected”. It proves a hard charging mauler that sets the mid-paced tone for that which is ahead, with snarling guitars backed by highlighting keyboards but also revealing understated if not lightly done hooks in the process. Of note is versatile front man Randy Dickey, whom maintains a gruff and weighty mid-ranged form but can reach for a soaring high note at moments notice.
Albums title track ensues as another mid-tempo heavy hitter, revealing a darker and more sinister sound (do I detect a faint hint of Sacred Warrior?) but also of a technical nature (the drummer is not credited in the liner notes but his work is impressive). Outbursts of guitar driven angst periodically power things into upbeat territory. Again, not much in the way of forthright hooks but plenty of unremitting power all the some. Lyrics reflect the group’s ministry focus:
Raised on the third day, indicative of the trinity!
Faced death and oh such pain
Bore all of our sins and our shame
Now the stone rolled away
Fulfilling what they heard Him say
By the Blood we are free
By The Blood victory
By the Blood created grace!
“Demon Fighter”, another example of piercing (but not the catchiest) riff driven metal, rates with the albums heaviest. It proves no nonsense in capacity, driven and hungry with its barbed mentality but also approaching from more of an upbeat capacity with an equally elevated demeanor. Dickey reaches down to lend a thickset and stout feel to his delivery.
“Resist The Devil” gives prominence to light power metal tinctures ala Jacobs Dream. Said non-attributed drummer plays a key role in this regard for his prominent double bass outbursts, as found in the punch driven refrain, not to mention added swarthy registers to expand upon the baleful feel throughout. Standing out in the process is one of the albums better stretches of blistering lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
You are a soldier of the Barren Cross
To find those who need Him, those who are lost
The day is coming when your faith is tried
Remember the enemy is always full of lies
Resist and he will flee
Resist and be free
Resist the father of lies
Resist take back your life
Resist in Jesus name
Resist lay down your blame
Resist you’re under grace
One of this reviewer’s choice tracks ensues in “Lay It Down”. Helping it stand out are guitars with a more hard rock quality as opposed to metal - the catchy riffs throughout refuse to quit - while low end revels in the mirthful with a perfectly placed melodic bass line. A good measure of those previously bereft catchy hooks rise to the surface in the process (album could use a few more songs such as this).
Hooks also stand out better on “Sin No More”. A return to power metal territory, the song elevates in terms of its firm guitar melodies and soaring demeanor - refrain speaks of the ascending - but fails to forsake the underlying Shining Force intensity all the same. Guttural backing vocals close “Sin No More” in brusque fashion. Lyric snippet:
Now you’re free
Share your joy amongst the world
Trinity fuels our strength
Makes the day
Crucified
You carry your cross today
Fight through trials messiah’s way
Sin no more
You are free
Sin no more
Find liberty
Another favorite is “Rapture” by the manner in which it draws upon a high-energy form with gently done (and quite contrasting) keyboards, but also acquires upon the engaging, as impetus decelerates for one of the albums more engaging choruses. Overall feel is straight on heavy metal but with a slight trace of doom. Regardless, it would fit right in on any early Jacobs Dream album.
“Megiddo” is a nine-minute progressive metal masterpiece along similar lines as lengthy Barren Cross cuts “Living Dead” (Atomic Arena) and “2000 Years” (State Of Control) with its equal pars authoritative and persevering. Time signatures prevail its span, beginning with the opening two minutes carried by a thunderstorm, helicopters and gunfire ensued by trudging riffs with a trampling quality. Verse sections to ensue elevate force to a thrash like veneer (which fits the hard hitting Shining Force sound to a T), while refrain builds upon the caustic flow in repeating the phrase ‘Life, Blood, Sin’ Time’ in snarling fashion (to the extent an almost extreme essence manifests). Rhythm guitar carries the instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
Silence befalls God’s Holy Land
Breaking through the clouds, the Holy Lamb
Million man armies fall with their lies
Rapture of mankind is what is planned
Satan’s soldiers march no more
Judgement Day has arrived, I will see you there
Saint John of Patmos, what else do you see?
Blessings as read, Christ has returned
Kingdoms of this world has become our Lord’s
Thy will be done, everlasting piece
Album closes to “Millennia Reign”, a short instrumental carried by angelic choirs and guitar feedback.
Non-commercial metal might be the best way to describe third Shining Force album By The Blood. Not overriding in terms of catchy hooks and melodies - noting the riff driven focus to the songwriting - but not without its share of all out force and aggressive angst all the same. I count three great songs in “Lay It Down”, “Rapture” and “Megiddo”, with former two realizing the bands potential when it comes to melody and latter the same but in terms of a progressive sound. Moving forward I do not see By The Blood being a frequent player, but if into traditional metal with a power metal bent that is on the no-nonsense and straightforward side (with ministry based lyrics), then seriously consider Shining Force.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Rising” (:43), “Resurrected” (3:31), “By The Blood” (3:21), “Demon Fighter” (3:46), “Resist The Devil” (3:49), “Lay It Down” (3:35), “Sin No More” (3:05), “Rapture” (3:50), “Megiddo” (7:59), “Millennial Reign” (2:05)
Musicians
Randy Dickey - Lead Vocals
Richard Navarro – Guitars
Billy G. Vaughan Sr. - Guitars
Dan McFarland - Keyboards
David Lentz - Bass
