Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock	Produced By: Jeff Grady & Kelly Matthews
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2022	Artist Website: Lordchain
Tracks: 12	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 41:37

After operating independently for the better part of the first four decades of its existence, Lordchain signed with Roxx Records for the fall of 2022 release to its ninth full length album Surviving The Wicked Storm.  Previous to that the Caruthersville, Missouri based groove influenced metal and hard rock act released in 1997 its self-titled debut full length ahead of a prolific period to see it record six albums over a nine year period (on its Corduroy Boy label) despite an ever revolving lineup.  That, however, changed subsequent to an extended hiatus when founding members guitarist Jeff Grady and drummer, bassist and vocalist Kelly Matthews recruited keyboardist and pianist Matt Jones to solidify the roster that recorded the Lordchain seventh and eighth albums Civil War and The Shadow Project from 2019 and 2020, respectively, in addition to Surviving The Wicked Storm.

Whereas groove based metal and hard rock might be an accurate indicator of the Lordchain sound, it also does not do the group justice when factoring the occasional modern, thrash, doom and even power metal nuances to imbue its songwriting.  To realize such musical variances a versatile vocalist is required, and such is what we have in front man Matthews, whom brings a delivery ranging from a smooth and clean classic tenor form to a grainier and rugged but every bit complementary lower register style.  Equally accomplished is Grady in bestowing riffs extending from the mercurial to gradual, while lending soloing of both a fleet and bluesy nature.

Enter opening cut “Shed Your Skin” to see Matthews run the gamut between each style, beginning to the course and grainy flavorings he imbues the surging verse sections but also including a more even style exhibited for the keyed up refrain.  He also lends some well-timed double bass to elevate the hard charging final minute and half.  Lyric snippet:

Innocence lost
The guilty released
A world of destruction
Crying for peace
Swallowed by hatred
Driven by pride
A spiritual wasteland
Under darkening skies

It’s time to rise up
Let your life begin
Let the old things pass away
It’s time to shed your skin

“There’s A Way Out” begins slow and trudging to guitars with a doom like veneer, maintaining the plodding mid-paced form its span in building upon a darker register albeit not without forsaking the groups trademark focus on melody.  All the while Grady stretches and reveals his abundant licks and chops in the form of crunch heavy riffs, composed harmonies and bluesy soloing.

“Straight And Narrow” upholds the slower sentiments in pointing to the roughly hewing while upholding the understated catchiness.  Impression is basic and straightforward but without coming across simplistic or redundant.  Of note is how Jones makes his first appearance with a slower, piano-based passage over the songs final half.

I identify with “When I Was Naïve” as one of albums most creative.  It maneuvers its span transitioning between moments in which atmospheric keyboards and rolling drums underpin spoken word vocals and those to see guitars power to the front of the mix and back Matthew’s signature lower register delivery.  All the while, the song provides a message based around personal accountability:

Now there’s excuses for every sin and worldly pleasure
That come across the mind
It’s like trying to fit God into what the world will accept
But to me it’s just a lie

Now there is one question I don’t want to ask
The finger points at me, am I wearing the mask

After three songs on the slower side, the up-tempo leaning to “Time, Precious Time” proves well placed in the track listing.  It kicks up a storm its span, exuding non-stop verve as guitars hammer in manifest form but also allowing hooks of an alluring nature to hold sway.  Instrumentally, double kick drum and rollicking bass align with thrash metal style guitars.

“Fragile Life”, first of albums two shorter instrumentals, drifts to guitar feedback interwoven with a thunderstorm.  “Broken Pieces” ensues in embodying all that works with Lordchain: jolting guitars, pronounced low end and front to back melodic groove within a three-minute package.  Piano and guitar harmonies propel the instrumental section.  Lyric snippet:

In the end what will remain
When there’s no one else to blame
And you find yourself all alone
No excuses, no more lies
When there’s nowhere left to hide
And you’ve strayed too far from your home

Broken pieces
I’m a life that has been shattered
Lying broken on the floor
Broken pieces
In the hand of the master
He brings peace to this civil war

“The Outrage Mob” takes aggression to the next level as albums heaviest.  Matthews in particular stands out in lending some lower register angst to his delivery to align with the near thrash like aura to the heavyset momentum.  The group in the process fails to abandon catchy hooks in that the song proves surprisingly engaging despite the angst.  Lyric snippet:

I don’t know how it came to this
With our freedoms so at risk
You cannot silence me
The truth will stand

I won’t bow down to the outrage mob
They’re not my judge and they’re not my God
I won’t bow down to the outrage mob

“Burn Away (Reprise)” represents a melodic piece with an audible bass line (highlighting albums transparent production in the process) and catchy guitar harmonies to separate with a gentler demeanor when placed alongside the albums more scorching material.  For those wondering, the original version to “Burn Away” appeared on the Lordchain second praise EP Pierce My Heart from 2019.

“Everybody Sins” ups tempo to more assertive levels in yielding riffs with a straight on metal feel as double kick drum enlivens the keyed up scene.  If anything, Lordchain hits the nail on the head guitar in terms of the guitar sound, which further testifies to the solid production.  Lyrically, “Everybody Sins” continues with the accountability themes:

Right and wrong did not cease to be after the cross
God knows what’s in your heart and he weeps for your loss

Christ did not die so you could justify your wickedness
Grace is no excuse to ease the guilt of your selfishness

Good works follow those who believe
A call to repentance, so blinded eyes can now see

Albums lengthiest at five minutes, “Game Changer” initiates to a bass solo prior to freight train plowing ahead with tons of remorseless energy as vocals transition between rough and tumble (for the caustic verse sections) and graceful (noting the melodically tinged refrain).  Halfway through and the song abruptly decelerates for a still done passage impressing of the tranquil ensued by a closing two minute instrumental run to feature a power metal style guitar trade off.

Albums final short instrumental “Cut To Black” brings traditional metal style guitars that fade out all too soon at just under a minute and half.

Surviving The Wicked Storm equates to another very good album in what has been a long line of very good albums from Lordchain.  My introduction to the group was 2007 release Finding Balance, and I gave it and each subsequent album favorable reviews.  Main ingredients for success remain consistent with Lordchain: short but memorable songwriting, heavyset guitars, groove driven low end and a joining of metal and hard rock.  In carrying over such legacy, Surviving The Wicked Storm will prove a worthwhile edition to your hard music collection.  A great deal of credit goes to Roxx Records for having the vision and foresight to be the first label to sign Lordchain. 

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Shed Your Skin” (3:38), “There’s A Way Out” (4:10), “Straight And Narrow” (4:37), “When I Was Naïve” (3:47), “Time, Precious Time” (3:25), “Fragile Life” (1:07), “Broken Pieces” (3:08), “The Outrage Mob” (3:26), “Burn Away (Reprise)” (4:03), “Everybody Sins” (3:53), “Game Changer” (4:59), “Cut To Black” (1:22)

Musicians
Kelly Matthews - Lead Vocals, Drums & Bass
Jeff Grady - Guitars
Matt Jones - Piano & Keyboards

Additional Musicians
Gregg Kendrick - Rhythm Guitar