Musical Style: Melodic Metal	Produced By: Jani Stefanovic
Record Label: Melodic Passion	Country Of Origin: Sweden & Finland
Year Released: 2020	Artist Website: The Waymaker
Tracks: 8	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 35:24

The Waymaker and its Melodic Passion Records September of 2020 self-titled debut arrives with great expectations, not the least which being how its lineup includes veteran vocalist Christian Liljegren (Narnia, Audiovision & Golden Resurrection) and multi-instrumentalist Jani Stefanovic (Miseration, Renascent & Solution .45).  The Liljegren and Stefanovic partnership traces to the turn of the century and Divinefire, a joining of the melodic and extreme that released five albums of symphonic power metal between 2005 and 2011.  With co-lead vocalist Katja Stefanovic rounding out its lineup, The Waymaker switches gears musically with a European melodic metal penchant not unlike Narnia and Audiovision but with neo-classical leanings hinting of Golden Resurrection and power metal vestiges akin to Divinefire.

Beyond the tantalizing musical heading - I started drooling the moment I read the groups press material! - what I appreciate about The Waymaker is its duel male and female lead vocal approach.  It is not uncommon, for instance, to see Liljegren and Katja trade off vocally within the same song - playing a duet role if you will - or one backing the other from a harmony standpoint.  Both receive opportunity at the same time to front individual songs on a standalone basis.  Unlike Divinefire, which features occasional extreme vocals, all vocals with the Waymaker are of the clean variety, noting the soulful mid-ranged to upper end presence to Liljegren and smooth soprano aligning of Katja. 

Albums title track gets things going to a classical keyboard solo prior to morphing into a bold power metal romper.  With Liljegren and Katja trading off vocally, “The Waymaker” approaches speed metal territory as non-stop double bass and shouted backing vocals set the demonstrative tone, while understated hooks contrast with an inviting flair.  Lyrically,
Liljegren pays tribute to several of his musical projects of the past:

I’m moving forward
I’ll never look back
I’ve learned my lesson from history
I say my prayer – my secret weapon
I’ll break the lies with power from the sky

Katja provides majority of vocals on “Kingdom Of Heaven”, a classy up-tempo melodic metal piece that would sound right at home on Narnia magnum opus (95% Angelic Warlord review) From Darkness To Light from 2019.  It highlights its share of variances, with verse sections calm and still to lightly done guitars only to see initiative gradually build ahead of rhythm guitars ripping to the forefront for a rollicking refrain drawing up the beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness
For they will be filled

Kudos to Jani for the crystalline leads instrumentally.

One of my album favorites is Stryper cover “Soldiers Under Command”.  No, it is not quite heavy as the original, with guitars toned down (at least somewhat) when placed alongside but retaining the distinct militant riff action and similar soulful flair for the refrain in which Liljegren’s heartfelt vocals hold sway.  I could be mistaken, but I believe Jani also handles a verse vocally- and quite well at that.  Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia) provides the monstrous guest guitar leads.

“Marching On” also touches upon militant metal territory.  Song sees Liljegren handling all vocals, returning album to an expeditious heading in touching upon speed/power metal with its relentless double bass but also smoothing out in gallant form for the ‘we’re marching on forever, we’re living for our King’ refrain.  The joining of the furious and epic reminds of Divinefire.  Lyrics base upon spiritual warfare:

I put my solid armor on
We stand our ground
You are my sword, You are my light
My shield of faith

You are the reason why I built my life on You
I’ll never surrender, I live my life for you
My heart is marked by the cross

A mid-paced metal heading reveals on “The Name Above All Names”, an association of calm and reticent moments of a smoother nature and others in which an emphatic turn allows assertive riffs to take a commanding role.  With the exception of a single verse upheld by Katja, Liljegren contributes vocals in transitioning between a laid-back style and others in which he lends some mettle to his delivery.  Persevering in the faith is the subject at hand:

The time is running out and every man will see
Hear the wake up call
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
The name above all names

I’ve been falling down
Never lost my faith
By Your grace, I can’t go on this way

Melodic ballad “The Rain Of Your Love” comes across reticent and moving as Katja leads the way in unveiling the power and projection to her expansive voice.  Some modern worship rock twinges rise to the surface - by no means a bad thing - aligning with just the right seasoning of guitars and keyboards (revealed in albums well-balanced production).  Lyrics derive from I John 4:18:

Here in the rain of your love
My control fades away, I fall into rest
And here in the depths of Your love
I descend into sweetness
I’m no long afraid

Then I run, run to you, oh God
Set me free, set me free into the Light

“I Am Sustained” begins to a turbulent drum and guitar joining prior to powering ahead at a full throttle mid-tempo clip.  Some of albums heaviest moments reveal, found in deliberate passages tempering to a crawl as guitars impel to the front of the mix and Alfred Fairhaven’s reveals his heavy-footed timekeeping.  The neo-classical guitar leads hearken back to Golden Resurrection.  “I Am Sustained” is a song of hope:

Feel the light inside
The life that cannot die
You walk by my side

Take my strength, take my pride
Breathe Your love into my life
Give hope when there’s no light

The cinematic keyboards and acoustic guitar to start “See The New Generation” build until impetus takes off at a forward tempo.  The aggression maintains throughout, as Liljegren adds a complementary bristling edge to his delivery and guitars point towards the commanding.  It is not all combative, however, as quite the notable melody rises to the surface in the process.  Lyrics build upon similar themes:

The world is torn apart, bleeding on its knees
Hear the prophet’s word
World at war, rich and poor
Give us grace to endure

See the new generation
Give hope for them to live
The keys for the future
Give hope for them to live today

The Waymaker adds up to a very good European melodic metal album with hints of neo-classical and symphonic power metal.  Overall, it does everything exceedingly well from songwriting to musicianship to vocals to production.  I particularly enjoy the duel make and female vocal approach to give the album an element of variety.  It is good at the same time to see Liljegren and Stefanovic again working together- I hope the partnership remains to produce more quality melodic metal albums in the future.  Lone misgiving is that the album could have used an extra song or two in that at eight tracks it is somewhat abbreviated, particularly from how one of the eight is a cover.  Still, if you enjoy any of the styles presented or projects in which Liljegren has participated, you will not be disappointed in The Waymaker.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “The Waymaker” (4:33), “Kingdom Of Heaven” (3:52), “Soldiers Under Command” (5:07), “Marching On” (4:20), “The Name Above All Names” (4:58), “The Rain Of Your Love” (4:25), “I Am Sustained” (4:23), “See The New Generation” (3:46)

Musicians
Christian Liljegren - Lead Vocals
Katja Stevanovic - Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Guitars, Bass & Vocals

Additional Musicians
Carl Johan Grimmark - Guitars
Alfred Fridhagen - Drums