| Musical Style: Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Tim Hamill |
| Record Label: Independent / Soundmass | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 1995 / 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: |
If you’re looking for an eighties metal and hard rock band with nineties alternative incentives, Newport, South Wales based 3rd Day Rising fits the bill. The group hit its stride in 1999 with the Nepesh LTD Records release to its sophomore album Spiral, which received a 25th anniversary reissue via Soundmass Records in June of 2025. According to the 90% Angelic Warlord review, Spiral equates to an ‘eclectic, creative and outside the box musical potpourri’ in which the group ‘proves masterful at not just playing to the strengths of such disparate styles but combining them within individual songs to keep the album fresh with repeat listen’. The Soundmass press material is spot on in comparing 3rd Day Rising to Galactic Cowboys, Bride, The Cult, Ugly Kid Joe and Dig Hay Zoose.
3rd Day Rising might have formed in 1990 but did not debut until 1994 with a four-song custom cassette demo prior to independently releasing the following year the full length offering Paper Chain. Also reissued by Soundmass but on May 1, 2026, Paper Chain might not be eclectic and outside the box as Spiral nor quite reaches similar musical heights but finds the group taking the formative eighties meets nineties steps leading to the notable riffs, hooks and melodies making Spiral such a standout release. That said Paper Chain stands on its own as a solid work that is by no means bereft of its share of quality material.
The Soundmass reissue is necessary in light of how Paper Chain is an out of print and hard to find collectors item. Improvement comes in the form of re-mastering from Paul May (A.N.D.) and layout and design by Scott Waters (NLTM Graphics). Sadly, I lacked the foresight to purchase Paper Chain back in the day, so I am unable to provide a re-mastering comparison. However, if what I said in previous reviews holds true and the past is any indicator of the future, the Soundmass re-mastering represents a marked improvement over the original.
Album opens to what in my opinion are four of its best songs beginning with its title track. “Paper Chain” starts to spacey distortion ahead of turning into a staunch hard rocker, embodying the headlong hooks, layered vocal melodies and bristling guitar leads defining the manifold 3rd Day Rising sound. Chris Edwards shines with a vocal style ranging from earthy middle register to modern tinged classic tenor. Lyric snippet:
The reaper lights a candle
Asleep you still don’t see
The line of men now stretched out
Can be seen through by the Son
As the flame now slowly flickers
And burns but only one
As your life that once was precious
Lays as dust before the Son
Quirkily entitled “TV Viewers & The Diet Of Pain” ensues. It proves three and half minutes of amplified aggression, touching upon the speed based with its combusting disposition but also accessible from the groups ever present reflective backing vocals. Occasional cowbell lends a classic hard rock impact.
“Heavenbound” finds Mike Spear imparting his scorching guitar leads, noting the open-air guitar defined starting seconds and periodic outbursts of conflagrant soloing. In between, song reveals a mid-paced alternative hard rock bent integrating of the relaxed and laid back with corpulent harmonies of a buoyant nature. Gist is equal parts flaming and commercial. Lyric snippet:
Time passes and you come out at the front of a long queue
Standing before someone who you somehow thought you knew
A book lies on the table
He reads with some dismay
He says, “I do not know you, won’t you please proceed that way”
Are you heaven bound?
Or heading to disaster
Are you heaven bound?
Why don’t you follow the master
“Thoughts From The Shoreline” mirrors the 3rd Day Rising progressive side. It fittingly begins to the sound of waves washing upon the shore ahead of gradually drifting ahead to reticent bass and graceful guitar, bursting forth at once to hard rock rhythm guitar and Stryper like vocal melodies to divulge of the mesmerizing. Creativity elevates from the back and forth and back again time signatures.
Albums second half also reveals its share of choice material. Brassy metal piece “Smiling Faces” is one such cut, a truncated three and half minutes of assertive riffs and driving vocals in which the group plants its feet heavily in the eighties. Hooks stand tall and strong as does the shred lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
We are led by a light that’s shining
We are fed by a fire that’s burning
It’s the truth with simple words
The truth that’s found within God’s word
Jesus is the light of the world
Whoever follows Him won’t walk in darkness
But have the light of life forever
This is the message we have heard from Him
“Single Handed” takes a straight on hard rock heading. With cowbell making cameo appearance, song impels its span to prompt bass and gravelly proclivities in integrating a fitting bluesy element. A good point of reference is Bride, Wales Road and Mission Of One.
“Fight The Fire” represents my album favorite. It combines catchy guitar rhythms akin to The Cult along with a deep sense of melodic groove to embody a cannot miss proposition- hooks once more are of a first hand form and timekeeping fittingly delicate but precise. Put this one on repeat play! Lyric snippet:
United we stand, divided we fall
Jesus unites us for He died for us all
The devil’s fate was sealed by the cross
At this point, he knew that all had been lost
Trust in God’s power, His spirit provides
Don’t’ do it your way, now open your eyes
You see the end is approaching, no need to fear
Just do as God asks until the Lord appears
“A Simple Message” is another fun listen as a quintessential upbeat tune. It proves brimming of vigor, embodied of melodic riffs and harmonies with alluring incentive to match and Spear’s ever-present flickering guitar leads. If the group had recorded “A Simple Message” a decade previous, I see it generating airplay.
“Slow Steps” sees 3rd Day Rising putting its varied songwriting acumen on display. On one hand, it delivers some of albums heavier moments - noting the guitar intensity and deeply woven backing vocals - on the other, borderline pop sentiments make a contrasting statement. The warmly full bass sound not to mention expansive drumming attributes to the keen production. Lyric snippet:
In memory, I see a book, no pictures are defined
The mists of time surround it, no ending can I find
A painful family snapshot from which I cannot hide
The time spent is recorded in back pages of my mind
Do I not know, do I not see, do I not realize
A fuse is slowly burning as a light behind my eyes
Explosion to eternity, the whole gift is taken away
A holy book about me is now read on judgement day
I skip only a couple songs including “Playground Of Life”, a middling and too basic for my tastes transitioning between that acoustic and heavy rocking, and “Wonder”, an alternative rocker that while far from bad emphasizes the modern elements to the point of going over my head. In the end, neither song sticks with me.
On Paper Chain, 3rd Day Rising gets off to a strong start. In my opinion the album does not quite reach the artistic heights to Spiral - again, referencing the 90% Angelic Warlord review - but still establishes the groups penchant for weaving catchy hooks and varied songwriting it would later take to the next level. Still, Paper Chain presents with more than its share of top-notch musical moments to justify making the upgraded Soundmass reissue a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Paper Chain” (4:18), “TV Viewers & The Diet Of Pain” (3:33), “Heavenbound” (4:08), “Thoughts From The Shoreline” (5:25), “Playground Of Life” (4:40), “Smiling Faces” (3:14), “Single Handed” (3:39), “Fight The Fire” (3:21), “A Simple Message” (3:17), “Slow Steps” (4:21), “Wonder” (4:18)
Musicians
Chris Edwards - Lead Vocals
Mike Spear - Guitars
Dougie Douglass- Bass
Karl Albert - Drums
