Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock	Produced By: Erik Nelson
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand
Year Released: 2023	Artist Website:
Tracks: 13	Rating: 65%
Running Time: 51:18

When 2 Worlds Collide, the February of 2023 Roxx Records third album from Swingle & Thompson Ordained (STO), is underwhelming due to repetitious and analogous songwriting, undefined hooks and melodies and bloated track listing.  Granted, it is a step up compared to 60% Angelic Warlord reviewed 2021 predecessor Firestorm (also Roxx) - to be completely fair When 2 Worlds Collide features several of the groups finest songs to date - and retains the STO penchant for choice musicianship and vocals.  Returning are founding member and rhythm guitarist Randy Swingle and lead guitarist extraordinaire Erik Nelson, whom align with renowned guest guitarists Troy Thompson (Bride) and Tiago James De Souza (Perpetual Paranoia).  Likewise, holdover vocalist Dale Thompson (Bride and projects too numerous to mention) retains his at times rough and tumble and others soulful and bluesy vocal style.

Musically, STO continues to make priority a straightforward metal and hard rock basis imbued with technical riffing, milling rhythm guitars and tense rhythm section.  Yes, it is unabashedly heavy - at times fast in a power metal sense or even decelerating with a doom-like vibe - but as can be the case, heavy is not necessarily better, or at the very least more interesting.  Perhaps I am not a fan or do not get what STO are attempting to accomplish, but similar to the groups previous works, noting 2020 debut The Thunder That Rocks The World, I struggle to embrace much of the When 2 Worlds Collide material.  Again, STO performs at a high level and there is not a lack of ability, but individual tracks all too often flow together or fail to stand apart, with the gist a high level of repetition that prevents me from growing into the album despite repeat play.

I am going to focus the track by track on what in my opinion are the six best When 2 Worlds Collide songs, beginning with opener “Hail With Blue Flamez!”  The debut single off the album, the song impresses as an unrelenting powerhouse with an incredible bass line, rollicking mentality, guttural vocals and understated but undeniable hooks.  It also does not back from the signature forthright STO lyrical direction:

Yes, I bear my cross
And I’ll cross the darkest night
Jesus took my yoke
And He turned me into light

The road we walk on
The path that we take
The life we live
Is it real or is it fake

Second single “Breakneck Speed” follows and proves aptly entitled.  It kicks in to a heartrending scream that sets the frenetic tone to ensue, as a hard charging mentality sees forwardly placed tempo and pulverizing guitars uphold the non-nonsense sensibilities.  There is a bit of an Impellitteri Screaming Symphony vibe here.  Lyric snippet:

You blew through the stop sign
This isn’t the first time
You ignored the warning signs
Drugs n’ drinking all the time

You better keep going
In the end knowing
God is dealing with you
So watcha gonna do?

Speaking of which, the blinding leads to grace “Fierce Windz” resonate an Impellitteri like feel.  Erik Nelson is an amazing guitarist whom I hope to hear more from in the future.  Musically, the song shines with the distinct hooks to its unabashed refrain in walking a fine line between slower, chugging riffs and others more forward in traditional metal fashion.  Lyric snippet:

Holy Spirit descending setting tongues alight
The day consumes the night
A blazing love like the whirlwind
Let that gentle breeze rest on you

Fierce Windz, the smith was made to blow
Fierce Windz, the Spirit is here to mold
Fierce Windz, stand in the afterglow
Fierce Windz, get up and go

“Danger’s Edge!” takes the energy to the next level with a speed based power metal slant (sort of like Live To Die era Bride) to uphold a magnetic bass line and Dale Thompson’s razor edged vocals.  The vehement refrain is not for the faint of heart - the song shines with its underlining catchiness - nor are the earsplitting verse section, a stomping mentality preserves in the process.  Lyric snippet:

We all go through the fire
Life comes at us all
Not everyday is a celebration
But we must be thankful for what we have

Love and compassion is in short supply
Better to give than receive
Count your blessings when they come
For some they don’t seem to come at all

Two excellent songs separate, with the first “Lightning Strikes!” shining with its prodigious doom metal outlook.  A thunderstorm fittingly gets things going ahead of a short drum solo and plodding riffs, as impetus picks up for the remaining span with catchy rhythms and Dale lowering his register with a cool spoken word feel that reminds of Alice Cooper.  Symphonic elements lend further to the grandiose scene.  Lyric snippet:

Cause when your heart is aching
Got to humble yourself, start praying
Feel the power, feel the might
Feel the love, lightning strikes!

I’ve told you before, I will tell you again
I make no bones about it, I’ve seen it all before
The things we’ll answer for
Got to know Jesus before its too late

Likewise with regal ballad “Beyond The Starz”.  What we have is a potential song of the year candidate from how albums strongest melody takes over on a song reflecting upon the bluesy alongside an immediately recognizable radio friendly allure.  Yes, a softer side to STO, but it also proves that similar to “Lightning Strikes!”, when the group stretches songwriting wise, it knocks the ball out of the proverbial park.  Lyric snippet:

We will worship at Mt. Zion
The city of the Living God
Mt. Zion the city of David
Eternal possession of God on high

Great multitudes which no man can number
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Nations shall gather
Salvation belongs to God

Not so much the remaining seven When 2 Worlds Collide songs, which despite repeat listen failed to grow on my.  I am not suggesting they are terrible but rather not memorable.  Hence, no need to go into specific detail in that one of the reasons I break albums down by track is to pinpoint how individual songs separate and stand on their own, but when they fail to do accomplish such, it makes a track by track a mute point.  I do not wish to be unfair either, in that if you released the previously detailed six songs and release them as an EP, I assign a minimum 80% score.  Rather, the other seven provide a full measure of sinking the ship in terms of the final 65% grade and the as noted bloated track listing in question.  Instead of recording 13 songs, why not go with your 10 or 11 best instead.  That said, the better When 2 Worlds Collide material gives me hope that a more well rounded fourth album is on the way from Swingle & Thompson Ordained.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Hail With Blue Flamez” (4:23), “Breakneck Speed” (3:16), “When 2 Worlds Collide” (3:12), “Fierce Windz” (4:34), “Storm The Gatez Of Heaven! Smash The Gatez Of Hell!” (3:51), Heavenz Brightness” (4:15), “Playing With Fire” (3:30), “Dynamite Fire Power” (3:22), “Danger’s Edge! (3:55), “Lightning Strikes!” (4:18), “Love Is Stronger Than Death” (3:32), “Beyond The Starz” (4:54), “Rivers Of Brightness” (4:13)

Musicians
Lead Vocals - Dale Thompson
Rand Swingle - Rhythm Guitars
Erik Nelson - Lead Guitars, Bass & Drums

Additional Musicians
Troy Thompson - Lead Guitar
Tiago James De Souza - Lead Guitar
Jem Jirah Marzon - Vocals
Kyla Louise Marson - Vocals