| Musical Style: Metal / Hard Rock | Produced By: Tim Hamill |
| Record Label: Nepesh LTD / Soundmass | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 1999 / 2025 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 13 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: |
On its 1999 Nepesh LTD sophomore album Spiral, 3rd Day Rising brings eighties melodic metal muscle and hooks but with strong doses of alternative nineties grunge and the Sam Taylor inspired ‘Houston sound’. Essentially, the group gives prominence to the accessible underpinnings inherent to the former but also the distorted guitars and down tuned sentiments not to mention rich harmonies and swirling vocal melodies intrinsic of the respective latter two. It equates to an eclectic, creative and outside the box musical potpourri that (as noted in the bands press material) is a ‘unique hybrid of metal, hard rock and alternative (drawing comparison to) Galactic Cowboys, Bride, The Cult, Ugly Kid Joe and Dig Hay Zoose’.
The Newport, South Wales based four piece leaves little doubt as to its ability to pinpoint a disparate combining of genres but forget musical direction- we are throwing that out the window. Rather, hinge upon which the door revolves is whether the music is any good, and I have to answer with a resounding yes! Each of the albums thirteen songs brings the type of notable riff, hook or melody that allows it to separate from the rest and sidestep any potential repetitive pitfalls. 3rd Day Rising deserves a full measure of credit consequently for the depth and quality to its material in that there is not a skip button among the thirteen. The group all the same 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.
I confess to not previously being aware of 3rd Day Rising despite it releasing in 1994 a four song custom cassette demo entitled Time and its full length debut Paper Chain the following year. Sadly, Spiral also fell beneath my radar in that I do not recall reading any reviews or write-ups back in the day. Hence, I was caught off guard when I received word of the 25th Anniversary June of 2025 Soundmass Records reissue to Spiral, which features re-mastering from Paul D. Clifford and layout and design by Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics). Obviously, I do not have an original copy in which to offer comparison, but production is balanced and clear with an uncluttered mix allowing all instrumentation to separate.
Musically, there is so much going on with 3rd Day Rising I am tempted to use the progressive label, albeit in an understated sense. Standing out in this capacity opener “Pain”, with funky guitars and grooving bass (sort of like Lovewar) prevailing as it transitions between heavier rocking moments and others delicately flowing in atmospheric fashion. “The Price Of Love” is in similar funk to groove based vein as distorted bass and metal guitars coordinate with one of albums most immediately catchy choruses.
Also innate to time signatures is “Tears Fall Down”, home to an ethereal opening (akin to The World Will Burn) ahead of maneuvering between scorching metal grounded moments and others with an AOR flair, and “Shake Me”, starting to ominous church bells and doom like guitar that gives way to aggressive riffing only to settle back to a plodding direction. Chris Edwards shines on both with a vocal style ranging from modern tinged classic tenor to lower register full of earthy vim.
3rd Day Rising is also not afraid to approach from a high energy standpoint, referencing “Spaceways Reunion” with its combining of bluesy guitar crunch and inspired ‘join hands together’ vocal phrasing and “One Step” as a driving space metal cut (‘one step for man, one giant leap for mankind..’) aligning a rollicking AC/DC like feel with psychedelic instrumental moments. Yes, out of the ordinary but it works.
“Foolin’” is also velocity driven but within a thrash to speed metal context (noting the Galactic Cowboys style distorted vocals), while “Spiral Down” follows suite in leaning towards the grunge based as opening acoustic guitar gives way to a cacophony of bass and turbulent guitar. The two find Mike Spear to be no small talent guitar wise with his at times all out intense guitar leads and others more measured rooted in the blues.
The group also excels when taking a slower stance. Fitting the bill in this regard is “House Of Cards”, a trenchant low end impelled monster (noting Andy Long’s profound work) to see herculean guitar crunch in and out of the mix, and “Sleeping Giant”, taking a bluesy stance with haunting feedback to start that transitions to shuffling rhythms and emotional soloing. “Paradise Found” also tempers force but in a heavier context: dreamy and atmospheric at moments notice but also powering to traditional metal rhythm guitar and melodic bass.
3rd Day Rising even manifests a commercial side. “Violence” is one of albums most tempered from upholding an eighties melodic hard rock feel found in its easy going (but no less distinct) guitar riffs and catchy sing along ‘ooh, you can murder morality, ooh, you can rape society’ refrain. Likewise, “Man Dies!” hints of the eighties with its at times acoustic and others melodic metal derivative format aligning with another commercially enriched chorus.
3rd Day Rising sophomore album Spiral represents one of the long lost gems of the Christian hard music scene. Again, I do not recall previously hearing of the album or group for that matter. Regardless, it presents with an amazing 13 quality songs of which each separate from the rest and holds up under repeat play. Top-notch musicianship, vocals and production follows suite. If a fan of any of the myriad styles represented or artists listed therein - eighties to nineties and all things in between - then make the Soundmass Records reissue to Spiral a priority purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Pain” (5:10), “House Of Cards” (3:35), “Tears Fall Down” (4:35), “Violence” (4:26), “Shake Me” (4:15), “Sleeping Giant” (5:30), “The Price Of Love” (5:09), “Paradise Found” (4:51), “Spaceways Reunion” (3:00), “One Step” (3:49), “Man Dies!” (4:45), “Foolin’” (4:00), “Spiral Down” (4:03)
Musicians
Chris Edwards - Lead Vocals
Mike Spear - Guitars
Andy Long - Bass
Karl Albert - Drums
Additional Musicians
Lee Dunning - Bass
