| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Gary Sullivan |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: Sovereign Cross |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 45:23 |
We like eighties commercial metal. We like melodic hard rock. We like blues-rock. We like epic power metal. So we obviously fell head over heals for the commercial, melodic, blues and epic tinged Roxx Records November of 2021 third full length album from Sovereign Cross, Bow To The Light.
Sovereign Cross represents the brainchild of guitarist and bassist Gary Sullivan, whom got his start in music in 1970 at age nine with the purchase of an acoustic guitar and tape recorder. Branching out therein, Sullivan has been a guitarist in numerous church bands in addition to serving in the U.S. Army Reserve band and taking part in live stage productions of Godspell and The Scroll. Throughout the years, he has performed live in excess of 1000 times in various settings.
He started Sovereign Cross in 2001 ahead of releasing the groups self-titled debut full length three years later and EP Approach The Throne in 2014. Full length sophomore effort Rock In The Night followed in 2017 and proved an all star project of sorts in featuring contributions from vocalist Mark Boals (Joshua Perahia, Yngwie Malmsteen), drummer Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath) and bassist Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol).
Bow To The Light might not have quite the same star studded appeal but is not lacking in the talent department either, as joining Sullivan is bassist Dion Colucci (Full Armor), guitarist Tiago James (Perpetual Paranoia, Hand Of Fire) and veteran vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride, Perpetual Paranoia & The Thomas Thompson Earth Project to name a few). Drummer Tony Morra and Keyboardist Michael Ross round out the Bow To The Light roster.
Opener “In The Riven” manifests the potpourri Sovereign Cross sound. It resonates of the astute and dignified, impressing of an epic power metal form (even if moderately so), but also a fitting AOR aspect, revealed in the intriguing hooks to drive its distance. At just over six-minutes it presents with enough twists and turns (noting mid-point and closing instrumental runs) to also draw upon a light progressiveness. Lyric snippet:
Over the bone heap of porcelain and rust
The wind blew
In the Riven, In the Riven
His heart was bleeding for a Savior
He was a dying man
Dried blood in the days of panic
Now he clings to the cross
In the throes of love
Of equal form is “Long Live The King” with its heavier metal edge. Guitar harmonies akin to Scorpions make a decisive statement (sort of like “No One Like You”), standing in support of the brash but catchy refrain, as does Colucci’s reticent bass line, underpinning the lithe verse sections. Gravelly vocal register of Thompson fits well with the songs classy nature in not that removed from predecessor Boals.
The turbulent Hammond B3 laced freight train like opening to “Father Of Lies” reminds of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star”. Song upholds the classic hard rock bent powering ahead, referencing the continued presence of organ not to mention upbeat propensity to see bluesy riffs and unmistakable hooks make one of albums more authentic statements. Morra sets the clouting tone with his heavy-footed timekeeping. Lyric snippet:
When the cross of Christ
Was forced into the ground
It pierced the heart of the slithering snake
On his belly he did crawl
Now he is powerless
Underfoot the earth quakes
Murderer from the beginning
The father of lies
Dark and moody mid-paced plodder “Through The Flames” represents five minutes of intense emotion. Drum solo ensued by majestic guitar harmonies gets things going, with an aligning of immeasurable low end and heavy set but not detracting (almost industrial) keyboards further expanding upon the brightening tension. The engaging at once melody helps “Through The Flames” rate with this reviewers choice tracks.
“All Aboard” brings its share of enticing variances. On one hand, it reflects upon bluesy metal - think Bride or Red Sea - with its searing licks and chops and soulful sentiments; on the other, heightened keyboard with a symphonic allure revisit an epic metal form. It works brilliantly, the least of not which the overriding intensity and absorbing hooks to stand alongside Sullivan’s brazen guitar proclivities. Lyric snippet:
When the sinners disembarked
Some were still praying
Stripped of every possession
This isn’t happening they were saying
They were all feeling sick
For they knew they were staying
Bought a one way ticket no way to return
No hope, lost faith, everything around them burned
“Pillar Of Fire” derives of blues based hard rock with guitar riffs along similar lines as Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion”. Warm, plush and inviting is the feel as song lingers ahead, echoing of smartly woven hooks approaching the commercial but staying true to the driving and cogent as bulky guitars bedeck front of the mix. It is haunting at the mid-point as Thompson echoes songs title in deliberate fashion.
Albums six and a half minute title track is another showstopper. I hear a light power metal bent in the classical keyboards to start soon joined by symphonic harmonies and tower bells, a darker chill revealed in the lower register (and quite compelling) melody as song gradually strengthens until breaking out for the grand ‘the dark will bow to the light’ refrain. An extensive instrumental run plays up the brash. Lyric snippet:
Jesus I am not ashamed
To proclaim your mighty name
Went to hell brighter than the flames
All glory and praise
To Your mighty name – NAME
You can test me, you may not lie
The end
The dark will bow to the light
Final two songs take a step down, albeit not a drop off a cliff. “My Humble Claim” is albums shortest (at three and a half minutes) as a bass driven hard rocker with an upbeat groove, while “Your Eyes Closed” leans towards classic blues rock with its reserved guitars and laid back ambience. Neither song is bad just not interesting or memorable as the compelling first seven. Only other misgiving is that while good, production is not quite on the same level as other top independent releases to come out the past year from Ariel and Weapons Of God. Some tightening and crisp polish would help separate things.
There is a lot to like with Sovereign Cross and its third full-length album Bow To The Light. When at its best, songwriting is brilliant, with first seven songs literally good as it gets far as the genres represents are concerned. Speaking of which, I take equally to the groups joining of melodic metal and bluesy sensibilities with a lightly done epic power metal layering. It is difficult to put Sovereign Cross in a box as a result. Gritty vocal style of Dale Thompson complements Sovereign Cross every bit much as Mark Boals, albeit I would like to see how a classic tenor along lines of Rob Rock would fit the groups sound. If Sovereign Cross puts together ten-songs on the same level as the opening seven and backs them with production of equal form, it would have a potential album of the year candidate.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “In The Riven” (6:03), “Long Live The King” (4:45), “Father Of Lies” (4:40), “Through The Flames” (5:00), “All Aboard” (5:33), “Pillar Of Fire” (4:27), “Bow To The Light” (6:35), “My Humble Claim” (3:31), “Your Eyes Closed” (4:59)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Gary Sullivan - Guitars & Bass
Tiago James - Guitars
Dion Colucci - Bass
Michael Ross - Keyboards
Jess Townsend - Violin
Tom McCluskey - Cello
Tony Morra - Drums
