| Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Produced By: Sean Timms |
| Record Label: Melodic Revolution | Country Of Origin: Australia |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: Sonic Divide |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 52:10 |
When Adelaide, Australia based Sonic Divide independently released its self-titled debut full length in 2013, the melodic rock and AOR aesthetics were right on ‘from the lushly textured complexion of the songwriting to the throwback sound drawing upon the best aspects of the seventies and eighties to the impeccably flowing track listing’ (as noted in the 90% Angelic Warlord review). Returning seven years later but on Melodic Revolution Records with its sophomore album The Other Side, Sonic Divide continues in a similar musical vein but heavier with added guitar momentum and more pronounced low end to push its sound into melodic hard rock territory. Remaining unchanged is musical consistency, noting twelve equally good songs to The Other Side and nine gracing Sonic Divide, and same high production values, albeit taking things to the next level in the area.
As for lyrics, this group of committed Christians maintains the ‘hope that people will think deeply about our lyrics and come to a realization that God is the answer to all the questions that life may throw at us’ (referencing its press material). No, the Sonic Divide prose might not be forthright as Theocracy or Narnia, but it otherwise incorporates themes gathered from the various life experiences and perspective of the group’s members in dealing with general concepts of things they have seen around the world. Hence, Sonic Divide, whom in the albums liner notes thanks ‘God, the source and inspiration behind our music’, is not necessarily a Christian ministry band but rather falls within the category of Christians creating music. The group best sums things up when it states, “God is VERY much a part of who Sonic Divide is and our journey thus far, and will continue to be so into the future”.
Side Note: All song subject matter descriptions are as provided by the band.
The Other Side begins to three hard rockers introducing that newfound heavier side to Sonic Divide. Opener “Vicinity”, dealing with the determination to make our dreams a reality, merges assuming energy and colossal low end with up-tempo hooks galore, while “Hero”, questioning how our leaders make decisions that seem contrary to our best interests, further ups heaviness with its rolling beat to see guitars mash in and out of the mix. Atmospheric keyboards accent “Vicinity” and hints of organ and ‘whoa-whoa’ backing vocals “Hero”.
“Come Back Again” separates as fastest of the three, as bottomless vitality and inviting hooks align with ample doses of heartfelt soul (not to mention charged impetus) to reflect upon the exhilarating. Further separating the song - and helping rank it among my album favorites - is the fantastic guitar work of Glenn Johnson and Steve Pirie.
In my Sonic Divide review, I suggest the group composes some of the best ballads you will hear, and The Other Side does not disappoint. It begins with fourth cut “When It Bleeds”, ethereally carried by orchestration and piano until staunch rhythm guitars cut in at the halfway point, but also includes “I’ll Run”, a hard rock semi ballad with moody acoustic guitar and one of the biggest ‘wave your lighter in the air’ commercial refrains you will here. Former focuses on how trials are temporary and being optimistic about what is on the other side and latter turning to the people you trust, and how we don’t walk through life alone.
Best ballad (in my opinion) is “I Still Believe” with its impelling allure to fee affable guitar harmonies and warmly pronounced low-end hold sway. As impetus rises, rhythm guitar drives to the forefront to take the determined emotion to even higher levels. Of note is the power of mid-ranged to classic tenor vocalist Wayne Holden, whom exhibits aptitude to effortlessly transition between the smooth and clean to the tough and gritty.
Mid-paced tracks find Sonic Divide at its heaviest. “Final Stage” stands out in this regard, aptly entitled in written from the standpoint of a person facing tough decisions after a rough diagnosis but also impressing as pensive with its slower to faster interchanges melded with darker harmonies and introspective melody. As does “Alive”, enumerating on the realities that are out there if we seek them, but also a raw and grainy hard rock slab with a Rez Band style bluesy vibe and all the earthy vestiges you could ask.
Of the mid-paced cuts, I gravitate to “When No One’s Watching”, which defines by its slamming guitar extracts and non-stop hooks to its catchy chorus while lightening from the haunting backing vocals to repeat its title over the final seconds. Muscular rhythm section of bassist Ian Slade and drummer Evan Johnson add the final decisive exclamation point.
Contrasting upbeat numbers encompass gambling addiction based “Roll The Dice”, drawing upon Guardian in matching a funky groove bass line and anthem like overtures with a resonant commercial melody, and finding your path in life themed “Shot In The Dark”, starting to Andy Young’s symphonic keyboards but morphing into another bluesy hard rocker with complementary slamming guitars and Hammond B3. Killer guitar solo on “Roll The Dice” and shuffling low-end presence to “Shot In The Dark”.
With a lighter touch but every bit good is closer “Stay”, a joining of over the top energy and AOR hooks to traverse arena rock territory but also darkened from a catchy refrain to strategically slow impetus to a near crawl as the groups layered vocal harmonies hold sway. Of note are the songs multiple instrumental excursions, encompassing a lead guitar and keyboard duel halfway in and added guitar soling at the end.
If The Other Side is not the best Sonic Divide album, it at the very least is the equal to the self-titled debut. Separating is consistent songwriting (noting the strong ballads), solid production (taking things to the next level in the area) and the group’s choice musicianship and vocals (bonus points for maintaining the same lineup from one album to the next). Main change to report - and this is a positive - is the move to a heaver melodic hard rock direction. Constructive commentary restricts to vocals placed slightly forward in places and basic slip case digi-pak packaging (no booklet with lyrics or detailed liner notes). Overall, if a fan of the debut or melodic hard rock and AOR in general, then make The Other Side a necessary purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Vicinity” (3:58), “Hero” (3:29), “Come Back Again” (4:20), “When It Bleeds” (4:56), “Roll The Dice (5:47), “Alive” (3:11), “Final Stage” (4:50), “Shot In The Dark” (4:02), “I’ll Run” (4:20), “When No One’s Watching” (3:54), “I Still Believe” (4:33), “Stay” (4:50)
Musicians
Wayne Holden - Lead Vocals
Glenn Johnson - Guitars
Steve Pirie - Guitars
Andy Young - Keyboards
Ian Slade - Bass
Evan Johnson - Drums
