| Musical Style: Speed Metal | Produced By: George Ochoa |
| Record Label: Intense | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1990 | Artist Website: Deliverance |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 43:06 |
Deliverance’s 1990 sophomore effort Weapons Of Our Warfare is widely considered one of the top releases in the annals of Christian metal. And rightly so! Recorded in follow up to the bands well received 1989 self-titled debut, Weapons… placed among the top three in the Christian Metal Realm’s annual poll of the top 100 Christian metal albums of all time for consecutive years running. The album finds Deliverance continuing to move in the same speed metal/thrash direction of its debut, showcasing a sound that is heavy and aggressive but melodic at the same time. Hard hitting tracks such as “This Present Darkness” and “Weapons Of Our Warfare” give prominence to the aggressive elements to the bands songwriting skills, while the impeccable “Solitude” and the ballad “23” reflect the more melodic side.
While founding member Jimmy P. Brown II still contributes a high pitched lead vocal style that at times invites a comparison to Geoff Tate (Queensryche), he displays his versatility by adding an element of grit and gravel to his delivery on the likes of “Bought By Blood” and “Greetings Of Death”. Brown remains one of the tightest rhythm guitarist on the planet and combines with newcomer George Ochoa (Recon), who replaced the departed Glenn Rogers, for an abundance of dual lead guitar work, the two trading off on “This Present Darkness” “Flesh And Blood” and several others. Brian Khairullah is a steady presence on bass and forms a monster of a rhythm section with drummer Chris Hyde. Hyde puts in a particularly strong showing with a performance that is fast and heavy and machine-like in its precision.
Production values, coming across crisp and clean though slightly harsh, are quite solid in combining the needed amount of upfront rhythm guitar with an even mix of lead guitar and drums. The only complaint worth noting, however, is that the bass tends to get lost amidst the instrumentation.
Please note that Weapons Of Our Warfare is a semi concept album dealing with spiritual warfare themes as outlined in II Corinthians 10:4-5. If in doubt then check out the stunning album artwork portraying the apostle Paul penning the scripture in question as a spiritual battle takes place in the background.
The brief (1:47) but haunting “Supplication” opens the album to narration from II Corinthians 10:4-5 that soon gives way to an acoustic guitar. Once a wall of melodic rhythm guitar harmony takes over, the song moves forward to its close hard and heavy.
“This Present Darkness” immediately cuts in with an abundance of thrash flavored impetus, an onslaught of unremitting riffs pushing the song ahead until it culminates for a chorus drawing you in with its all out hard hitting energy. A lead guitar trade off between Brown (left channel) and Ochoa (right channel) helps shore up in extensive instrumental section.
The albums heavy duty title track begins to a minute long instrumental section carried by a blend of pulsating rhythm guitar and volatile lead guitar. Maintaining the aggressive momentum during its verse portions, “Weapons Of Our Warfare” pauses for its resounding pre-chorus before moving on to a brief but dramatic chorus in which Brown displays the full range of his voice at its end. As its title implies, “Weapons Of Our Warfare” deals with the issue of spiritual warfare:
Provoking thoughts only cause the sin
That provoking thoughts have earned
Cast down imaginations of every high thing
That dare exalts itself against the knowledge of God
The weapons of our warfare
Powerful they are
The six minute “Solitude” does a good job of combining elements of melodic thrash and straightforward heavy metal. Getting underway to a contentious amalgamation of crunchy rhythm guitar and pounding drums, “Solitude” forges through its first verse in guitar driven fashion prior to reaching a chorus giving rise to an abundance of decisive melodic flavored appeal. An extensive instrumental passage showcase more dual lead guitar work, Brown handling the first solo and Ochoa the second. I like how a second instrumental section carries the song over its final minute and a half.
The all out speed metal assault initiating the monstrous “Flesh And Blood” covers its first minute at breakneck speed. Tapering off prior to reaching its first verse, the song sustains its overpowering ambience during its verse portions only to briefly pause and steadily force its way to a predominant chorus backed by shouted vocal harmonies.
FOR THIS WE WAGE WAR!
But not against man
This war is with darkness
And not against FLESH AND BLOOD!
After slowing at the start of a two minute instrumental section beginning to a bluesy guitar solo, “Flesh And Blood” picks back up in pace to more dual lead guitar work, Ochoa this time handling the first solo and Brown the second. “Flesh And Blood” continues the album with its discourse on spiritual warfare:
The Holy Book makes it clear as to how we ought to fight
Put on the armor of God
Not by your might
Pray always with all supplication
In the Spirit
To the pulling down of strongholds and crushing Satan’s plan
While not the albums catchiest, this one stands out as a result of the power of its delivery- both musically and lyrically.
“Bought By Blood” fades in to a drum solo before a choppy riff stands in support of Brown’s guttural vocal delivery, the two leading the way in heavy handed fashion to a double bass driven chorus shored up by aggressive backing vocals. Without a doubt “Bought By Blood” exudes the trademark Deliverance “crunch and feel”; on the other hand, it lacks that special type of standout riff or hook that the rest of the albums material brings to the table. I tend to pass on this one, though I can see how others might get into it.
After “Bought By Blood” ends coldly, “23” opens to a blend of keyboards and acoustic guitar as a trace of spicy lead guitar decorates the background. Slowly moving forward to an acoustic guitar at the start of its first verse, “23” abruptly picks up in pace as a torrent of rhythm guitar steps forward and drives an emotionally charged chorus with a huge catchy hook. Ochoa’s fluid lead guitar work carries another sweeping instrumental section. Standout vocal performance here from Brown. “23”, of course, is based upon Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
Leads me beside still waters
He restoreth my soul
Leads me in the path of righteousness
For His name sake
Though I walk in the valley of death
I will fear no evil
“Slay The Wicked” commences to the sound of a sword being drawn followed by narration stating, “For I am a jealous God and I appall their abominable practices, therefore spare nothing with the sword.” Swiftly embarking in an ominous manner to an edgy rhythm guitar, “Slay The Wicked” maintains the albums theme of spiritual warfare as it rages through its first verse:
Angelic forces fighting the battles
Unseen warriors
Mighty they are
There is no place where angels fear to tread
Drawing swords of His righteous power
The word of truth on their lips
Prevailing over the rulers of this age
Subsequent to Hyde furnishing a plethora of hammering double bass, the bands shouted vocal harmonies carry things forward to a high-octane chorus in which Brown again showcases the full range to his voice.
One of the albums highlights is the remake of “Greetings Of Death”, an older track from the bands 1986 demo of the same name. The song takes off at breakneck speed to an all out thrash flavored assault of hard hitting riffs and sledgehammer double bass. Maintaining the same aggressive edge during its first and second verse, the song closes out its final minute to an instrumental passage in which Brown and Ochoa tear it up with a blazing dual lead guitar trade off. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
The minute long instrumental section at the start of “If We Faint Not” begins to a foreboding double bass driven riff that segues to several seconds of distorted sounding lead guitar. Advancing through its first and second verse at a crunch-laden mid-tempo pace, “If We Faint Not” gains impetus as it attains a chorus standing out as a result of the deep and prevailing manner in which it is delivered. “If We Faint Not” is a song of faith:
So, let us not grow weary in doing what is right
God shall renew our strength to fight
Remember, we reap what we sow
Flesh sows corruption
Spirit everlasting life
It’s yours
We shall reap – if we faint not!
To say that Deliverance is heavy is like saying water is wet, but there is so much more to the bands 1990 sophomore release Weapons Of Our Warfare. Yes, the band delivers its share of heavy hitters such as “Flesh And Blood” and “Greetings Of Death”, but when you go beneath the surface, you will find a great deal of melody as well, best reflected in the likes of “Solitude”, “23”, “Slay The Wicked”, “If We Faint Not” and others. The bands performance, combining Jimmy Brown’s melodic vocal style and steady riffs with George Ochoa’s fiery leads and the precision of mad man drummer Chris Hyde, is without question. Deliverance even contributes some of the finest album artwork of its era. A classic? By all means!
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Supplication” (1:48), “This Present Darkness” (2:47), “Weapons Of Our Warfare” (4:25), “Solitude” (6:05), “Flesh And Blood” (7:27), “Bought By Blood” (3:17), “23” (5:49), “Slay The Wicked” (4:03), “Greetings Of Death” (2:49), “If We Faint Not” (4:25)
Musicians
Jimmy P. Brown II – Lead Vocals & Guitars
George Ochoa – Guitars
Brian Khairullah - Bass
Chris Hyde – Drums
Reference List
Schmutzer, Steve. “Deliverance – Daring To Deliver.” Heaven’s Metal 27 (1990): 2 & 4.
Also Reviewed: Deliverance – Deliverance, Deliverance - Stay Of Execution, Deliverance - River Disturbance, Deliverance – Assimilation, Deliverance - As Above - So Below, Deliverance - The First Four Years, Deliverance - Greetings Of Death, Fearful Symmetry – This Sad Veil Of Tears, Jupiter VI - Back From Mars, Recon - Behind Enemy Lines, Various Artists - California Metal
