| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Jagged Doctrine |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: Jagged Doctrine |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 40:00 |
Jagged Doctrine joins the growing niche of bands to hire iconic Bride vocalist Dale Thompson to front its most recent album. The Upper Midwest based act founded by multi-instrumentalists Rod Middleton (guitars, bass and drums) and Gary Baker (keyboards and drums) traces to the late nineties and its first two albums I Wear The Mask and Welcome To The Playground from 1998 and 1999, respectively. Releasing an additional two following the turn of the century, Darkness Wrapped In Plastic (2003) and The Circle Trilogy Soundtrack (2004), Jagged Doctrine hit its stride with a three album run over a four year timeframe: The Stalker (2011), To Whom It May Concern (2013) & Electrocuted (2014).
A nine year hiatus preceded the groups September of 2023 most recent offering, Eve Of Destruction. Released on Roxx Records, the album finds Middleton and Baker joining forces with the aforementioned Thompson for a signature aligning of metal and hard rock with an accenting keyboard basis. There is no need for worry in that the Jagged Doctrine keyboards are not so thick as to be overbearing but rather flatter in bringing out the best in individual tracks. A certain element of variety elevates to the surface in the process, including a decided symphonic elements but more often an industrial to electronica vibe that brings to mind 2001 eighth Deliverance album Assimilation.
Regardless, quality is such one understands how Jagged Doctrine has licenses tracks to MTV, been featured on the Rolling Stone Magazine website and composed a soundtrack for a book series by New York Times best selling author Ted Dekker. Said quality realizes on opening track “Die Again”, a Bride style hard rocker with the type of bluesy guitars and hook driven groove that brings to mind the groups 2003 tenth album This Is It. Either way, it proves a perfect fit for Thompson’s signature grainy and earthy mid-ranged vocal style. Lyric snippet:
Would You have to die again to save this soul?
Only You know where I've been
Do You have to die again?
So I can live again to save my soul
Tell me where should I begin
Do You have to die again?
Giving me just what I need, unconditionally
And though I don't deserve You
It all comes down to me
Now it seems so long ago in a blink of an eye
Better than I was before
You were born to die
Keyboards on “Deleterious” take a symphonic role in lending a power metal feel. It stands out as one of albums top tracks, intricate with its understated technical overtures (a light progressiveness rises to the surface) but engaging in terms of the distinct melody aligning with the compelling scene (refrain is curtly done but gripping all the scene).
Albums title track maintains the quality in slowing tempo and upping heaviness in the process. “Eve Of Destruction” crosses the threshold of all out metal as Middleton’s rhythm guitar snarls in conveying the ominous and sternly woven, while keyboards highlight in playing up the swarthy scene, particularly for the mid-point passage slowing to a near crawl. This is heavy as the album gets. Lyric snippet:
Calling me, a twisting of my mind
Haunting me to question the divine
Can she bring all these dreams sublime?
Hunting me, a temptress now defined
Air of seduction from your hand
Eve of destruction, your command
Shadow of doubt, I'm losing my control
These delusions of grandeur drain my soul
Never feared the consequence before
Broken illusion just beyond the door
“Breathe Your Name” is lone song not to do it for me. It proves a straight on, non-nonsense hard rocker - guitars almost resonate of the punk like - delivering full on aggression and heavy hitting mentality. That said, the rapid-fire vocal delivery ahead of the refrain borders on the repetitive to extent I am reminded of another Thompson fronted project in Swingle And Thompson Ordained.
“Liquid Sky” is another top track. It emphasizes an elevated keyboard mix of an industrial quality and aligns it with a mesmerizing guitar line and chanted backing vocals of guest vocalist Syd Rent (Morella’s Forest). The swirling environment to succeed borders on the irresistible as does the atmospheric melody. What we have is one of several songs that would sound at home on Deliverance’s as noted Assimilation. Lyric snippet:
Beyond the Liquid Sky
Redemption's ascension's calling
Beyond the Liquid Sky
Calling out your name
Beyond the Liquid Sky
Vengeance dissension is voicing
Voicing out your pain
The endless storm rips through my soul
(rips through my soul)
Tossed and turned within with no control
Can I be redeemed again
You only know, You only the end
Back to bare bones metal with “Dream Tonight”, albeit with keyboards continuing to play a forthright role. I particularly take to the flashy guitar solo to start not to mention the edge of distortion appended to Thompson’s vocals and rolling drums throughout. Of note is manner in which song gradually builds in force until culminating for the instrumental run to close its final minute and half.
With cinematic keyboards to start, “This Is My Destiny” represents another top industrial track, as a pulsating low-end amalgamates with hard-nosed guitars. Interesting how keyboards bounce alongside the rhythm as a crashing mentality and a mauling bass line prevail. The dramatic nature to the song makes it my choice for a music video. Lyric snippet:
This is my destiny
Hope for what will never be
This is my destiny
What's right for you is wrong for me
A paradigm for one and all
Brutal contradiction
Ending in my downfall
With my own crucifixion
A drum solo ahead of snarling guitars jump-starts “Love Song for Anger”. What we have is albums most upbeat and fast paced, rocketing with its speed based mentality (noting the meteoric verse sections) as added distortion accents Thompson’s vocals (for the caustically catchy refrain). The sweeping lead guitar stretch makes me wish the album included a bit more soloing.
“Absolution” separates as another industrial reinforced cut. Rhythm guitar churns and grinds as lead vocals again mirror a distorted edge and keyboards take a techno form. What puts the song over the top, however, is the refuse to go away melody that challenges for albums most forthright. Lyric snippet:
The voices scream inside my head
They scream to me "my soul is dead"
Another chance for harmony
Another chance to be free
And though your time has come and gone
This wicked life must go on
It's etched in stone eternally
No one could ever change me
Absolution, no solution
Absolution, no solution
You're watching Me
You're watching Me
Closer “In The Beginning” resonates of the laid back and reserves. It emanates of a darkly woven tincture, crawling its length at a forward bass driven clip as rhythm guitar speaks of the knife-edged and vocals reach down for a somber semblance. Halfway in and song slows even further for an eerie - almost doom-like - instrumental section carried by chilling keyboards and back end guitars.
If a fan of anything from classic Bride to Assimilation era Deliverance you will find a lot to like in most recent effort from Jagged Doctrine, Eve Of Destruction. Of course, Dale Thompson’s vocals play a signature role in this regard, as does Baker’s skillful work on keyboards and Middleton’s equally pronounced guitar riffs and harmonies. Overall, Eve Of Destruction comes recommended as one of the more overlooked and underrates albums from 2023.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Die Again” (3:19), “Deleterious” (3:49), “Eve Of Destruction” (4:14), “Breathe Your Name” (3:43), “Liquid Sky” (3:55), “Dream Tonight” (4:55), “This Is My Destiny” (4:27), “Love Song For Anger” (3:17), “Absolution” (4:29), “To The Beginning” (3:49)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Rod Middleton - Guitars, Bass, Drums & Co-Lead & Background vocals
Gary Baker - Keyboards, Drums & Background Vocals
Additional Musicians
Syd Rentz - Lead Vocals
Gregg Hart - Keyboards
Chris Matthews - Bass
Lee Bond - Bass
Ben Burton - Drums
