| Musical Style: Blues Rock | Produced By: Gary Heitz & Mike Kilpatric |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: Sign Of Jonah |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 55:59 |
With upgraded production and strong selection of songs, Sign Of Jonah is stepping up its game with the April of 2022 release to its sophomore album Day Of The Lord. Recorded in follow up to 75% Angelic Warlord reviewed debut full length Sacrifice from 2014, Day Of The Lord finds the band staying true to a blues heavy rock penchant while leaning towards hard rock and Southern rock. Comparison remains unchanged in that I see Sign Of Jonah appealing to those whose tastes trend towards the lighter (Glenn Kaiser Band, Darrell Mansfield and Stevie & The Saints) and heavier (Resurrection Band, F.O.G. and McKenna). Sign Of Jonah also maintains its ministry based lyric penchant.
The Wichita, Kansas based quartet remains the project of founding member Gary Heitz, whom in addition to handling guitar and lead vocals co-wrote the album in addition to engineering, mixing and co-producing it. Initial Sign Of Jonah lineup saw Heitz join forces with guitarist Scott Miller (Pilgrimsprog) and drummer Mike Smith to record Sacrifice, but with the departure of Miller and Smith, Heitz rounded out the Day Of The Lord roster with newcomers guitarist and co-songwriter Mike Kilpatric, drummer Jerry Walker and bassist, and spiritual guide Wynne Corbin. No need for concern in that despite the turnover, Sign Of Jonah fails to lose continuity in producing some of its finest material to date.
Beginning with two part six minute opener “The Last Trumpet / Day Of The Lord” with first a short introductory interlude covering the first minute and half and second an amalgamating of blues and hard rock to cover the remaining span. Albums title track sees gutsy rhythm guitar shuffle over a roughly hewn landscape in which a muscular low-end - noting the dominate timekeeping of Walker - plays an equally dominate role. An elongated instrumental interlude features first of several dual lead guitar runs between Heitz and Kilpatric. Lyric snippet:
A rider is coming on a horse of white
Faith and True, He is God’s Holy Light
The armies of Heaven follow with a roar
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
“In My Eyes” is every bit good albeit heavier, with its meaty hard rock style riffs, but also slower, as impetus descends to a decisive mid-tempo gait to play up catchy harmonies galore. Song peaks for its delectable refrain as wondrous vocal melodies converge with accenting slide guitar. All the while Heitz impresses with his smooth, classic tenor vocal abilities.
“Give Thanks” reveals as a worship-based hard rocker to speak of the up-tempo, mirthful and buoyant- joyous hooks refuse to depart, as do the non-stop rhythms to draw in with repeat play. In similar worshipful vein but later in the track listing, “Into Your Arms” comes somewhat formula with its basic acoustic rock slant, although the Southern flavorings to the instrumental moments serve to draw in. Lyric snippet:
Give thanks to the Lord
In everything you do
Whatever happens to you
Give thanks to the Lord
If your life has been changed
You’ve got to praise His Holy Name
“The Key” another top-notch showstopper, revels in the bounding as Corbin’s delectable bass commands the weighty scene and refuse to go away guitar melodies set the hard charging tone. Another plus are the jam style instrumental moments to see blazing guitar leads converge with bluesy slide guitar. This one has the brilliance of Stevie & The Saints written all over it.
Despite the clichéd title, “Rock & Roll” grooves its length to tons of heart and soul with hooks to spare and unremitting impetus to go in hand. Deriving of classic rock and blues but also intertwined with twinges of fifties style rockabilly, one cannot deny “Rock & Roll” is a joy in which to listen.
Groups Southern influences reveal on “Righteous Host”. Song emanates a plodding mid-tempo groove, home to heartfelt bass and tightly woven melodies in delivering the full on emotion one expects of the form. Heitz fittingly lowers his registers to align with the moody sentiments in helping boost the preeminent ‘just rise above it, trust God and believe in Him’ refrain. Ranks alongside “The Key” as albums best cuts- wish more Christian bands would explore such musical leanings. Lyric snippet:
Don’t let push come to shove
Put your faith in God above
Just rise above it, trust God and believe in Him
No matter what the cost
He’ll find you when you’re lost
When you need Him most, He’ll be your righteous host
Albums second six-minute cut “Jesus” mixes melodic hard rock sentiments with the Sign Of Jonah Southern flair. A jam flavored instrumental run covering the opening minute and half tapers to tranquil, evenly flowing verse sections, with the inspired tone carrying to the refrain as layered vocal melodies repeat songs title in catchy fashion. A second mid-point instrumental run highlights another dual lead guitar run. Lyric snippet:
I know I found the Truth,
The Holy Spirit led me here
I thank you to this day, Lord,
For making life so much more clear
I have nothing to fear and it’s all because of Jesus
He is the Way, the Light, the Resurrection - Jesus
The open air acoustic guitar to start “Going Oh So Quickly Nowhere” reminds of the title track to Shout’s 1988 debut It Won’t Be Long, but at just the moment you expect Ken Tamplin to step forward with a rising falsetto – ‘Go!, Go!’ – song transitions to a scintillating acoustic rocker instead. It comes across warm and enriched, with an almost Country Western flair standing alongside an intrinsic classic rock layering.
“On That Day” ups force with its distinct hard rock qualities, muscular in terms of its straight on disposition (memorable from standpoint of music and message) but also alluring in terms of its generous instrumental portions (a Sign Of Jonah staple). I am reminded of the slower material to Rez Band (can you say “Fiend Or Foul”?) but with a touch of Darrell Mansfield. In the end, this is the type of quality deep cut to make a good album even better. Lyric snippet:
And on that day a part of me died upon that tree with Him
And on that day a part of me rose again
I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live
A list of all my crimes was nailed to your cross
I leave it all behind, I count it as a loss
You reserved in Your flesh my final penalty
The cost of all my sin, You have set me free
Speaking of which, “Everlasting Story” maintains the run of solid material but not quite heavy as some (noting a seventies inspired classic rock) slant in upholding the groups immaculate vocal melodies (upholding some AOR nuances). Impression is the uplifting in reaching for the inspired.
“Jesus, You Rock My “World” impresses as a medium-good boogie flavored rocker with a laid back, bluesy feel. Yes, somewhat routine and not the most memorable - at least to these ears - but you can tell that the guys had a great deal of fun putting it together. Helping it stand apart is another fine run of dual lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
Jesus, my cups been filled
Jesus, Your Word’s my will
Every time I see the sunrise and set each day
What a blessing we get to live and breathe and say
Jesus, You rock my world
Credit Sign Of Jonah for the wealth of quality material it put together for its sophomore release Day Of The Lord. So many good songs from which to choose, with my favorites including “Righteous Host”, “The Key”, “Jesus”, “Day Of The Lord” and “In My Eyes”. Addition of a second songwriter in Kilpatric adds to the albums depth. Equally notable is the clean production to allow each member of the group to impress performance wise. Lone complains revolve around somewhat barebones packaging - perhaps a detailed mini booklet would have worked better than the fold out insert - and that a song or two could have been cut from the track listing. That said, fans of blues-rock and hard rock with a bluesy edge would do themselves a favor by checking out Day Of The Lord.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Last Trumpet” / “Day Of The Lord” (5:53), “In My Eyes” (4:02), “Give Thanks” (4:50), “The Key” (3:51), “Rock & Roll” (4:40), “Rock & Roll” (4:40), “Righteous Host” (4:44), “Jesus” (5:53), “Into Your Arms” (4:42), “Going Oh So Quickly Nowhere” (4:34), “On That Day” (4:44), “Everlasting Story” (3:55), “Jesus, You Rock My World” (3:52)
Musicians
Gary Heitz - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Mike Kilpatric - Guitars
Wynne Corbin - Bass
Jerry Walker - Drums
