| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: True Strength |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 63:34 |
From traditional to power to progressive to doom-like, True Strength offers something for almost every metal fan. The project of rhythm guitarist, bassist and founding member Ryan “The Archangel’ Darnell continues in a similar musical heading on its summer of 2022 Roxx Records fifth album The House, The Holy The Third while maintaining the conceptual themes by lyrically basing upon the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel in staying faithful to scripture as possible. Carried over in the process is the core lineup from Roxx Records 2020 predecessor The Mighty Hand Of Yahweh, conceptually focusing on the Book of Joshua, in that joining Darnell is vocalist George Tsalikis, guitarist Takis Koroneos and drummer Chris Lee Faulkenberry-Alfano.
Third full length Sanguinary Vivification from 2019 (also Roxx), depicting the parallel between the Prophecy of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah and the life of Jesus Christ, found Darnell and Tsalikis working with guitarist Josh Cirbo and drummer Ryan Mey. On sophomore effort Steel Evangelist (independently released in 2016 but re-issued on Roxx Records a year later) Darnell handled vocals with Cirbo and Mey providing support, while 2014 independent debut The Cross Will Always Prevail found Darnell and Cirbo aligning with vocalist Rus Gib and drummer Ryan Clark.
Regardless of theme or roster, True Strength maintains its vision of ‘a Christian metal band that honors God, spreads the Word of Jesus Christ and dedicates 100% of their music sales to charity’ (as taken from its press material). More specifically in this regard, how True Strength remains ‘an ardent supporter of the International Christian Concern, which assists persecuted Christians around the world. Many of (its) songs are about the suffering and plight of Christian communities under oppressive regimes.’
Short intro “Arrival Of The Glory Of The Lord” gets things going to whispered narration from Ezekiel 1:22-28 (sort of like “In The Beginning” off Recon debut Behind Enemy Lines). “Chariot Of God” subsequently kicks in to a drum solo and melodic harmonies, inclining towards the epic and grandiose with its bombastic dimensions but staying true to the inviting in light of the forthright hooks to draw in with repeat play. Darker vestiges manifest from the rumbling refrain and those sublime when counting the lofty instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
I saw four wheels on the ground by each creature
Sparkling like topaz and covered in eyes!
A vault of crystal above the Four Living Creatures
And under their wings were stretched high!
Above the vault, a throne of lapis lazuli
And on it a figure like a man!
Above the waist he looked like glowing metal
Below he was clothed in fire and light!
Behold! The Chariot of God descends from the sky!
The prophet stands in awe at the scene before his eyes!
Swarthy US power metal slab “Ezekiel’s Call” maneuvers at the more forward tempo in projecting some of albums catchiest riffs (very engaging of a refuse to go away capacity) and most pensive moments (intensely driven but not forsaking melody all the same). Elongated instrumental run touches upon the elegant with its pristine harmonies.
“Dwelling Of Abominations” takes a traditional metal form in speaking of the blithe, tempo is upbeat but without trending the commercial, and thick and weighty, acknowledging the fathomless guitar vestiges. A roughly hewn voice in the backdrop to speak of the extreme lends a catchy dimension, as do the echoing vocal melodies that further embolden the tempting melody. Guitar leads touch upon the blistering. Lyric snippet:
The Holy Sanctuary has been defaced!
They worship false gods that bring disgrace!
The warnings God gives still go unheeded!
The Holy Sanctuary has been defaced!
Their idol worship made them so debased!
The warning God gives: His patience comes to an end!
They worship false gods…
The men bow to the sun…
The elders pray at their idol’s shrine!
“Harlot Bride” conveys an eighties metal feel to guitars, trending a melodic slant in that riffs are of a catchy nature, but also that of a traditional side, revealed by manner in which heaviness is advocated. The elevated disposition further heightens the engaging affection, while the intense lead guitar of Koroneos play an every bit appreciative role.
Four songs in and it cannot be denied the professionalism of front man Tsalikis, whom can cut loose with a Dickinson-like wail, smooth things out in Tate-ish fashion or let loose with a scream along lines of Halford/Owens. To suggest he is an asset to the True Strength sound would be an understatement.
Ballad “Mourn Not The Delight Of Your Eyes” is a good one. With keyboards hovering in the backend and aligning with guitars to crunch in and out of the mix to make a metal ballad statement, song reveals a darker if not reflective resonance found in lower register vocals that bring to mind Chaz Bond (Biogenesis). This one reflects the melodic side to True Strength. Lyric snippet:
The word of the Lord came to me...
I’ll desecrate my sanctuary.
The stronghold in which you take pride in,
The delight of your eyes, you shall not mourn.
Do not mourn the delight of your eyes
I will take away their heart's desire
Do not mourn the delight of your eyes
Ezekiel shall be for you a sign
Eight minute epic “Judgement Will Come Against The Nations” proves a progressive doom metal masterpiece. Opening instrumental moments plod in wavering between crunch heavy guitars and church organ to make a Gothic cathedral statement. Opening verse sections uphold the sluggish demeanor to occasional falsetto screams, the lagging momentum only giving way to the piercing (and quite inviting) refrain accented by Faulkenberry’s technical drum rolls. Albums best stretch of lead guitar carries things instrumentally.
“The City Has Fallen” draws upon a classic power metal bent not unlike Recon and Sacred Warrior. With clashing symbols to start, song impels forward to compound riffing in setting an exquisite tone ahead of the mournful backing vocals to adorn the ‘fallen, the city has fallen, whoa, oh, whoa’ refrain. Songs somber melody proves undeniable with repeat listen. Lyric snippet:
The night before, the prophet’s mouth was opened
No longer silent, for the Word of God came to him:
‘The mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them.’
‘Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolate waste’
Then came a man who fled Jerusalem…
Dread dripped from his lips
Hear the poor survivor’s cry!
Fallen! The City Has Fallen!
“The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd”, a short but fast-paced technical riff driven instrumental, gives way to “Valley Of Dry Bones”. What we have is an up-tempo five minutes trending hard rock territory - guitars bring a dirty, bluesy feel - festive in its expression with hints of organ but also aggressive when factoring the repeated harshly delivered backend vocals. I appreciate how keyboards lend an extra dimension to the True Strength sound. Lyric snippet:
As I prophesied, I heard a noise
A rattling of the bones in the valley
They came together and flesh came upon them
The four winds gave breath to their lungs
The Great Army was the House of Israel
And their number was exceedingly high!
"I will put my Spirit in you and you will live,
and settle you in your own land."
“The Destruction Of Gog And Magog” is first of two eight-minute closing progressive epics. It proves unrelenting, home to riffs of an intractable form carried over a thickly weighted low end all the while home to rhythms of a Maiden like capacity. A subtle melody further allows song to fill out its length. Of every bit merit is the two-minute instrumental run in which polished harmonies stand alongside intense lead guitar.
Second, “The House, The Holy, The Third”, speaks of the portent with its starkly woven ominous overtures. Song begins slow and dreamy in setting an apocalyptic tone to stout mid-paced incentive, echoing of the dramatic with its dogged yearning but full amiable when factoring the boding hooks to command its distance. Albums title track comes across pleading over its final seconds as the phrase ‘those who drink will never die’ hauntingly repeats. Lyric snippet:
The House- the Temple, the Body of Christ
The Holy Spirit fills His presence inside
The Third- The Ever-Living Waters flow...
And those who drink will never die!
The House- the Temple, the Body of Christ
The Holy Spirit fills His presence inside
The Third- The Ever-Living Waters flow...
And those who drink will never die!
True Strength comes into its own on fifth full-length The House, The Holy, The Third. No doubt the group exhibited its share of very fine musical moments on preceding releases, of which I enjoy to listen to this day, but The House, The Holy, The Third takes the prize with songwriting that is spot-on- from the riffs, hooks and melodies each track makes a case for itself. That said, the album took several listens in which to grow into, but it is more than worth the time and effort. No doubt, it does not hurt that I lean strongly towards the True Strength non-commercial blending of the traditional, power, progressive and doom-like. The Book of Ezekiel theme lends further value, referencing the well written and well thought out lyrics. In the end, The House, The Holy, The Third is certain to rank among the top albums of the year.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Arrival Of The Glory Of The Lord” (1:19), “Chariot Of God” (4:43), “Ezekiel’s Call” (5:31), “Dwelling Of Abominations” (5:52), “Harlot Bride” (4:34), “Mourn Not The Delight Of Your Eyes” (5:30), “Judgement Will Come Against The Nations” (8:16), “The City Has Fallen” (5:37), “The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd” (3:10), “Valley Of Dry Bones” (5:19), “The Destruction Of Gog And Magog” (7:46), “The House, The Holy, The Third” (7:57)
Musicians
George Tsalikis - Lead Vocals
Ryan “The Archangel” Darnell - Rhythm Guitar & Bass
Takis Koroneos - Lead Guitar
Chris Lee Faulkenberry-Alfano - Drums & Percussion
Carl "Boanerges" Borsick - Keyboards
