| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Josh Dehaan |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: True Strength |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 60:50 |
The True Strength June of 2025 Roxx Records sixth full-length album Ancient Of Days follows in the musical footsteps of True Strength albums that came before it. Take a foundation of non-commercial heavy metal integrated with strong doses of epic, traditional, doom and classic US power metal to speak of the complex and technical. Further factor progressiveness in the form of lengthy songwriting commonly in the six to seven minute range and even extending into ten minute plus epic territory, and the elaborate True Strength sound is complete.
Ancient Of Days also preserves the True Strength affinity for concept albums, noting how it lyrically covers events in the Old Testament Book of Daniel from beginning to end as faithful to Scripture as possible. The group’s two previous albums also drew upon Old Testament themes, with The House, The Holy, The Third (2022) basing around the Book of Ezekiel, while The Mighty Hand Of Yahweh (2020) centered on The Book of Joshua. Sanguinary Vivification (2019) depicted the parallel between the Prophecy of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah, and the life of Jesus Christ, and how He fulfilled the prophecy written nearly 700 years before His birth.
Lone change to report is the departure of long-term vocalist George Tsalikis, whom has been with True Strength since Sanguinary Vivification, and his replacement Lukky N. Whereas Tsalikis embodies a soaring, classic tenor vocal style, Lukky N. brings a mid-ranged but no less powerful form rooted in heart and soul but capable of reaching a high note with ease. He reminds me of Giles Lavery (Warlord). True Strength otherwise maintains The House, The Holy, The Third lineup of founding member, rhythm guitarist and bassist Ryan ‘The Archangel’ Darnell, lead guitarist Takis Koroneos, drummer Chris Lee Alfano and keyboardist Carl ‘Boanerges’ Borsick.
Album opens to seven minute “Taken To Babylon”. It echoes of the venturous and daring, rooted in epic metal aesthetics akin to Warlord but also the sophisticated and furbished, divulged in the emboldened tempo and sleek melodic harmonies. An extended instrumental run is highlighted by Koroneos’ and Darnell’s complex duel harmonies. Lyric snippet:
In the third year
Of the King of Judah’s reign
He resisted in vain
The Babylonian horde
It was soon clear
Nebuchadnezzar’s rage
For he had been betrayed
When Judah backed Egypt’s king
Six and half -minute “Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream” tempers to a slower almost doom based locality. With swarthy keyboards leading the way, song exudes of the darker and ominous in trending inauspicious bass heavy verse sections only to decelerate further for a portentous refrain in which Lukky N. unveils a lower register side to his delivery.
The keyboards playing a prominent role on “Thrown Into The Fiery Furnace” lend a seventies feel akin to those on The Mighty Hand Of Yahweh. At four and half minutes song might not be complex and varied as some here, albeit it places emphasis on the type of distinguished melody to prove essential all the same. An assured ambience resounds accordingly. Lyric snippet:
In his amazement the flames didn’t harm them,
For a Fourth One stood in the fire
The king called to the men in the furnace
To come forth from out of the pyre
Heat the furnace hotter!
Grow the burning flame!
The four stand in the fire!
Untouched by the flames!
Back to six-minute territory with “Seven Years Of Madness”, a power metal tinged mauler speaking of the barbed with its brazen disposition but also imposing in light of its perceptible singularity. It finds Koroneos at top of his game, whether it be hard-bitten rhythm guitar or his technical but melodic soloing.
The doom-ish canvases return on “The Writing On The Wall”. Song plods to a voluminous bass line, hulking and sculpted as pensive details point to the bluesy and bottom heavy residuals the disconsolate. A Gothic bent rises to the surface in the process. Lyric snippet:
Belshazzar!
God has ended your rule today!
On the scales you've been assayed!
You're found wanting in your pan!
Belshazzar!
God has ended your rule this night!
The Medes and Persians will end your life!
Your kingdom’s come to its end!
Ballad “Forbidden Prayers” is one of my favorites. It exudes of the elegant and genteel, making its way to acoustic guitar and melodic signatures as Lukky N. shines with another provoking vocal performance. Stirring vocal melodies ennoble the august refrain. Gait only picks up for the harmony driven soloing covering the instrumental interlude.
Celerity picks up for “Daniel In The Den Of Lions”. Six and half minutes of epic power metal, it fleetly scampers its span as keyboards shimmer in the backend over a coursing foundation of rhythm guitar. Perhaps it is the intricate guitar lines or the storytelling feel in line with the self-explanatory subject matter, but songs reminds of epic metal masters Warlord. Lyric snippet:
Daniel was thrown in the den of the lions
But their mouths were shut by the Lord!
The false accusations were proven dishonest
In the glowing sunlight of the morn!
Darius the Mede had decreed that no one would pray to any god than he
But Daniel continued to pray to the Lord!
The men who conspired to trap Daniel saw him praying to his God on his knees
They reported to the king that he'd broken the law!
“Triumph Of The Ancient Of Days” reflects of melodic power metal. I detect a hint of Narnia accordingly, indicating not just the symphonic style keyboards and bounding low end but also the courageous detail to the classical laced guitars, particularly the fluid soloing. One cannot deny the European flavorings.
“The Ram And The Goat” slackens to mid-paced territory and ups heaviness in the process. The layers of Hammond B3, rhythm guitar and foremost bass establish a dramatic setting as song takes a panoramic view of prophecy and ancient history. Once again, soloing brings a wonderfully sophisticated feel not unlike that of William Tsamis (Warlord). Lyric snippet:
The ram stood for the Empire of Persia
And the ram did whatever it pleased
...and trampled all!
A goat with a large horn in-between its eyes
Crossed the Earth--without touching ground
The goat charged, attacked, and struck the ram
Trampled the ram into the ground
Velocity driven power metal cut “Prophecy Of Seventy Weeks” accelerates from the get go with its enterprising riff driven tempo and hardy timekeeping of Chris Lee Alfano, whom deserves credit for not burying the album in non-stop double kick drum. A brusquer side to the song reveals in form of the concise riff action and intense hooks to prevail. Early Jacobs Dream rises to the surface.
True Strength pushes its boundaries with melodic metal closer “Time Of The End”. It manifests up-tempo leanings but in a more accessible format, lightened with harmony driven guitars, melodic keyboards and prodigious (not to mention quite flattering) backing vocals allowing an AOR touch. I find “Times Of The End” an uplifting and inspiring manner to bring the Book of Daniel themed concept to fitting close. Lyric snippet:
At that time, the Archangel Michael will arise to protect your people
This will be, a time like no other, since the beginning of the world
At that time, those who are written in the book shall be delivered
Some will rise to life everlasting, some will rise to everlasting shame
When the Holy people’s power is broken after 3 ½ years
Many will be refined and spotless, the wicked being wicked shall be
From the end of the sacrifice to the Desolate Abomination
3 ½ years shall pass by, blessed is the one who endures ‘til the end.
On Ancient Of Days, True Strength does a choice job staying true to the old school metal themes of previous releases, whether falling under a traditional, power, epic or progressive heading. Credit equally the group for upholding the Old Testament concept it started with The Mighty Hand Of Yahweh and carried over to The House, The Holy, The Third. Continuity maintains from including the same roster of musicians from The House, The Holy, The Third with exception talented newcomer Lukky N., whose mid-ranged style perfectly complements the groups sound. If a fan of previous True Strength albums or non-commercial heavy metal, Ancient Of Days is strongly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Taken To Babylon” (7:09), “Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream” (6:27), “Thrown Into The Fiery Furnace” (4:19), “Seven Years Of Madness” (5:44), “The Writing On The Wall” (4:30), “Forbidden Prayers” (5:47), “Daniel In The Den Of Lions” (6:26), “Triumph Of The Ancient Of Days” (6:03), “The Ram And The Goat” (5:10), “Prophecy Of Seventy Weeks” (4:51), “Time Of The End” (4:25)
Musicians
Lukky N. - Lead Vocals
Ryan ‘The Archangel’ Darnell - Rhythm Guitar & Bass
Takis Koroneos - Lead Guitars
Chris Lee Alfano - Drums
Carl ‘Boanerges’ Borsick - Keyboards
