| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Nick Layton |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2022 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 46:12 |
There is a sense of familiarity when listening to All Will Bow, the August of 2022 Roxx Records debut full length from Reign Of Glory. This much is obvious from how front man Robyn Kyle Basauri’s (Die Happy, Red Sea) continues to bring his soulful and soaring vocal presence and Roger Dale Martin (Die Happy) a groove driven bass inclining. Every bit self-evident is the powerhouse timekeeping to Jim Chaffin (Deliverance) not to mention the distinctive harmonies and shred instincts of guitarist Nick Layton (Firewolf, Layton & Martin). Those that suggest Reign Of Glory is an ‘all-star’ project in light of the talent at hand are not far from the mark.
When factoring the varied musical backgrounds to each of its members, to which hard music category does Reign Of Glory belong? The group sidesteps the groove yielding metal and hard rock to Die Happy and much of the same but with a more blues based edge to Red Sea. Likewise, Reign Of Glory has little in common with the melodic speed metal and thrash of Deliverance, while it also does not deserve comparison to Firewolf style traditional metal or instrumental metal hymn leanings to Layton & Martin. If I were to place a label it would be eighties style melodic metal and hard rock but with a twist.
Consider how Basauri mighty carry over his soulful vocal form but no longer hits those soaring high notes of the past but rather lowers his register with a bluesy inflection ala David Coverdale, which helps provide to Reign Of Glory a slight Whitesnake-ish feel. Debut Letter 7 album Salt Of The Earth from 2007 to feature a vocalist with similar range in Tom Colllete deserves mention, and while not offering direct comparison, I find enough bluesy images in Reign Of Glory to attract the early nineties Bride crowd. Outside of that, and again without offering comparison, if into Crystavox, Fear Not, Joshua (Resurrection era) and Shout, I can see Reign Of Glory being of interest.
Opener “Forever And Ever” inspires with its active disposition, yielding tons of hearty grit and soul with its razor sharp guitar edges and Martin’s every present melodic bass line. The heavy hitting refrain aligns with the overriding adamant sentiments. Lone complains is that the shouted ‘power and glory!’ backing vocals at the halfway point are a bit overdone, but otherwise a solid effort. Lyric snippet:
Many claim to know, and as their lies are sold
Countless souls have lost their way
Fear of death and hell never served them well
For we all have gone astray
We know the blood has the power to free us all from our cells
Forever and ever… yours is the power and all of the glory
Seated at the throne on high is the Savior of all
Debut single “Welcome To Reality” slows tempo and in the process ups heaviness and the bluesy aspects. The crisp rhythm guitar crunch to up accordingly highlights albums polished but not to a fault production, while vocals reach down low with some earthy gravel. Of note is the tempered passage with spoken word delivery that gives way to Layton’s expertly played lead guitar.
Initial shred based seconds to “Rise Of Aslan” leave impression of a neo-classical instrumental (sort of like Narnia’s “Return Of Aslan”), but such is not the case in that it soon morphs into a melodic hard rock vocal cut. It is also of a mid-paced nature, reveling in abundant melody and scintillating front to back harmonies as technical riffing commands its distance. Of all the albums pieces, this one best invites the Letter 7 comparison. Lyric snippet:
Rise up, and stand as one, the day at last has come
We must avenge our King before the final dawn
His life a sacrifice slain upon the stone
One day as prophesied, the four will sit in throne
His body lying lifeless, cold upon the stone
The wicked will proclaim, the might King is gone
His life a sacrifice made to break the stone
Now Adam’s flesh and bone will rule with Aslan
“Samson’s Kryptonite” takes the bluesy layering to the next level with a cool Bride meets Aerosmith feel. Band is in its natural element accordingly, bringing forth an earthy as it gets low end - referencing Chaffin’s focused timekeeping - alongside another refuse to be denied refrain (songwriting is spot on). What we have is the textbook definition of blues based metal.
“Love Came To Die” represents as fine a ballad you will hear. It starts slowly as ballads do to keyboards and joyous harmonies only to gradually gain force as guitars creep in to bolster a generous melody of the kind to remain for time to come, or at the very least command a place on FM radio and MTV in times gone by. Swear I can hear Les Carlsen (Bloodgood) in the high-end vocal melodies closing out the final minute. Lyric snippet:
You and I, frozen in time
Once we walked in the light
The memory stains and heartache remains
Now we’re left to pay the price
And there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide
From a love so divine
We’re torn from our shame as passion meets pain
Where love came to die…
“Calling Down The Thunder” is every bit good but in an upbeat hard rock form. Song stays true to its namesake, forwardly driven with a battering low-end backbone as Basauri bestows the raspy and gritty vocal goods in aligning with the husky semblance. Glaring hooks also point to the radio friendly - refrain borders on mesmerizing - while Layton exhibits his shred instincts unequivocally.
“Last Daze” carries over the quality within a commercial package. Lightly done and gentle are the verse sections, reticent guitars make a finesse filled statement, whereas added forward momentum thrusts to the surface for the presuming refrain, as gripping hooks again draw in with repeat play. The artistic affections point to Bloodgood’s 1988 release Rock In A Hard Place.
Classy melodic hard rocker “The Edge Of the Night” exquisitely aligns distinct keyboards with a crisply woven guitar presence. The eighties commercial qualities again rise to the surface - a similar melodic formula that makes albums better material stand out separates here - while blistering guitar licks and chops play a prominent role alongside perfectly placed earthy vocals. I can see Whitecross doing something like this. Lyric snippet:
Everybody gets lonely
We’ve all got our cross to bear
I know you feel another tear is more than you can spare
You’re searching for a feeling
To make you wanna stay
Child believe me, there’s a better way
Hold on hold on… you’re standing on the edge of the night
Hold on and don’t give up the fight
Hold on… you’re standing on the edge of the night
Hold on and step into the light
A heavier direction reveals on “1000 Years”, a galloping metal cut touching upon a traditional formula to ooze of passion and fury in setting a sublime tone aligning with the apocalyptic sentiment at hand. Yet, an accessible proclivity is not forsaken nor is a paramount underpinning, referencing the assailing bass line. It would be an understatement to suggest Reign Of Glory saved its best material for last.
Speaking of which, closing cut “Writing On The Wall” impresses equally with a darker form to uphold lighter guitar touches for its delicate verse sections but heavier upon approaching the herculean refrain exuding of histrionic energy. Said energy builds interminably over the final minute and half as song (and album) peaks in terms of earnest intensity. Lyric snippet:
And the writings on the wall
There’s a message to us all
Carved by the hand of God
We’re all victims of the fall and love will conquer all
Open your eyes… see the writing on the wall
Prophecy foretold, from the days of old
How the end of things would come to be
We’re drawn into the fray, more and more each day
The truth is plain to those who wish to see
Debut All Will Bow from Reign Of Glory brings the total package in terms of great songs alongside fantastic vocals and musicianship. I do not hesitate to rank it alongside Basauri’s Die Happy and Red Sea projects in terms of artistic statement, or at the very least, despite the musical differences I can see Reign Of Glory being of interest. Quality packaging and production further builds upon the value. Equally notable is how the group was smart enough to go with its ten best songs as opposed to 13 or 14 and recording several filler tracks in the process. If looking for a potential top five album of the year recipient you can do no wrong with All Will Bow.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Forever And Ever” (3:51), “Welcome To Reality” (3:52), “Rise Of Aslan” (5:13), “Samson’s Kryptonite” (4:03), “Love Came To Die” (4:38), “Calling Down The Thunder” (4:45), “Last Daze” (5:35), “The Edge Of The Night” (4:26), “1000 Years” (4:32), “Writing On The Wall” (5:16)
Musicians
Robyn Kyle Basauri - Lead Vocals
Nick Layton - Guitars
Roger Dale Martin - Bass
Jim Chaffin - Drums
