| Musical Style: Hard Rock/Metal | Produced By: The Jacob's Ladder |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2008 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 34:56 |
If a fan of vocalist and guitarist Matt Harding and his Apostle project, you would be wise to check out his new band, The Jacob’s Ladder. Whereas Apostle gives prominence to neo-classically ingrained power and traditional metal on its highly regarded custom cassette demos - including but not limited to Chariots Of Iron (1987), Hymns (1988) and Metal For Master (1989) - The Jacob’s Ladder contrasts with the gutsy hard rock infused with metal subtleties of its independent 2008 self-titled debut. Any previous classical elements, for instance, are replaced with stronger blues underpinnings, while artists soaring and classic tenor vocal style shifts to a soulful middle register form interspersed with periodic hints of his previous high-end leanings. When further factoring album was mastered by Ty Tabor (King’s X), The Jacob’s Ladder alludes to the nineties era ‘Houston sound’ in reference to King’s X, Galactic Cowboys and Atomic Opera.
Other than it is a power trio consisting of Harding (lead vocals & guitar), son Jacob Harding (bass & guitar) and Keith Gardner (drums), little is known of The Jacob’s Ladder. A check of the Angelic Warlord news archives from 2008 reveals a MySpace page for the Jacksonville, Florida based act (https://myspace.com/thejacobsladder3) but no details are provided as it pertains to the album. My impression is that the group sold The Jacob’s Ladder via shows but failed to make it available commercially; as a result, it fell beneath the radar the past several decades until gaining distribution via Boones Overstock in the fall of 2025: https://boonesoverstock.com/products/the-jacobs-ladder. Please note that Boones Overstock partners with Retroactive Records, whom recently obtained the rights to reissue the Apostle back catalog.
My advice is approach the album with an open mind, referencing how The Jacob’s Ladder is not Apostle 2.0 but rather its own unique band. Hence, strong opening cut “Skeleton Closet”, a short (two and half minute) but bold hard rocker with a no-nonsense and straight to the point bluesy edge. Riffs drive and hit with full authority and vocals revel in earthy grit with intermittent high-end falsettos. Gardner spices things up with periodic double kick drum.
“The Way” elevates heaviness and verve. Rhythm guitar that mirrors a metal basis and catchy harmonies a brash sense coordinate with Jacob Harding’s assertive bass line. I particularly take to the mid-point time signature in which menacing doom-like guitar plunges to the forefront. Lyric snippet:
Your life’s history
To be or not to be
Your given free will
Or final destiny
The rode to hell is paved large and wide
Narrow the way you must decide
Will you wait until it’s too late
Nothing to do with chance or fate
“3 Stone Majik” ensues as a top notch instrumental. It sustains the hard rock meets metal themes, albeit deepened by instant melodies and Matt Harding’s front to back bluesy soloing serving to contrast with the classically tinged form in which he gained renown. The above the line The Jacob’s Ladder musicianship reveals in Jacob Harding’s intricate bass and Gardner’s meticulous timekeeping.
Eighties melodic hard rock infuses “Look Into My Eyes”, which despite imparting of the commercial, rhythm guitar remains in a fixed position. Tempo is slow and unfailing, as vocals smooth and align with a classic tenor configuring. Of note is how the final minute picks up abruptly in shredding double bass driven fashion. Lyric snippet:
We will find grace in time
All inside of your mind
Answers to the questions you will find
All the hope for a mankind
Can’t stop, won’t stop loving you
I know inside love is true
The hope, the joy of living free
A gift given to you and me
“Dream Girl”, another melodic hard rock based cut, takes a reserved and laid-back approach to see guitar not play as prominent role as some songs here. That does not mean “Dream Girl” is of less quality, unveiled in manner in which Matt Harding again takes ample opportune to reveal his standout bluesy licks and chops. Feel is a semi-instrumental with vocals to taste.
“Uncle Eddie” decelerates to a stoner-doom-groove like crawl. As one of albums heaviest, it accentuates in and out of the mix hard guitar and metal predicated soloing that hearkening back to Apostle. A borderline anthem like mentality manifests in the process.
“Power Of Three” follows in an upbeat direction, elevating energy with harmonies that mirror a bluesy facet but not without a quirky outside the box punk like allure. Interestingly, instrumental moments abruptly shift to distorted atmospheric guitar over double kick drum. That said I wish the group had expanded upon the all too brief two and half minute length. Lyric snippet:
You think you know it
About the master plan
You think you found it
Understand
Did you know in time
About the masters plan
Did you know it’s now
Understand
The explosion initiating “Reign On Me” gives way to outbursts of vehement riffing. Song walks a fine line between hard rock and metal mauling ahead, impertinent as vocals take a caustic, lower register tone in building upon the raucous straight from the gutter impudence. I see fans of Weapons Of God, Hammerdown and Under The Blood taking to this one. Lyric snippet:
Some said the chosen one
Some said the devils son
Some said the gifted one
Others said his time has come
Some said the ends begun
He knew he had won
I know how you feel inside
There’s no need to run and hide
“All Of Me” is closest The Jacob’s Ladder material comes to ballad territory. First minute comes across soothing and placid with guitar reflecting upon the tranquil, but at moments notice force erupts as guitar takes on an added forthright tone. Emotional vestiges likewise burst to the forefront, underlying one of albums most emotionally derivative refrains.
Album could not close stronger with aptly entitled “Sinister”. Song breaks down into two parts, with first slowly fading in prior to chugging riffs taking over that walk a fine line between power metal and thrash, and second decelerating in molten fashion to acidic guitar leads and incisive harmonies radiating of the scathingly doom like. The Jacob’s Ladder progressive side is understated. Lyric snippet:
Destruction denies their goal of heaven
Turn the page to nine-eleven
Innocent lives laid in balance
Evil training wicked talents
Watch them try to run
From the face of the one
Small and great will come
Weeping tears before the Son
Sadly, The Jacob’s Ladder represents the final work from Matt Harding, whom tragically passed in 2012. Albums press material sums things up best in describing it as a ‘fitting tribute to his artistry and faith- a passionate, skillfully crafted record that continues to inspire years after his passing’. I could not more heartily agree. Again, keep in mind The Jacob’s Ladder is its own band that forges its own unique musical path- at times hard rock and others metal but always inspired. I encourage picking up a copy while supplies last.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Skeleton Closet” (2:38), “The Way” (3:33), “3 Stone Majik” (3:25), “Look Into My Eyes” (4:15), “Dream Girl” (3:10), “Uncle Eddie” (3:20), “Power Of Three” (2:21), “Reign On Me” (3:22), “All Of Me” (4:00), “Sinister” (4:51)
Musicians
Matt Harding - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Jacob Harding - Bass & Background Vocals
Keith Gardner - Drums & Background Vocals
