Sons Of The Kingdom
Artist: Sardonyx
Label: LightShine International Ministries
Released: 2018
Type: Full-Length
Rating: 5/5 Skulls (1)
Released Independently on April 13, 2018 by LightShine Music Group, this is the band's second full-length alubm.
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and this Christian power metal CD is designed to encourage followers of Jesus Christ to represent Him in love, passion and persistent faithfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58).
"Sons of the Kingdom" is an intense Christian power metal album designed to encourage and build up followers of Jesus Christ and equip them for ministry. The members of Sardonyx and the leadership of LightShine International Ministries see their role more as pastors to those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ rather than using an evangelistic approach in this project. Each of the 9 songs and an 8 page booklet are designed as a Bible study and we encourage you to look up the scripture verses that follow almost every line in the lyrics. Our goal is to for the listener to represent Him in love, passion and persistent faithfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58) in the metal subculture. As musicians, sound technicians, videographers, graphic artists and several other creative talented professions represented on our "Creative Team", we are committed to excellence and professionalism in everything we do. We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings and we desire for you to also be reconciled to your Creator, Jesus Christ.
Lineup
Tom Denlinger (The Scream Of The Guillotine) - Vocals
Rod Feltman - Guitars
Chuck Turner - Bass
Bill Pagaran - Drums
Guests
Kristen Anselmo Hertzog - Vocals
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Reviews For "Sons Of The Kingdom"
Behold! The Kingdom Is Nigh!
by tombie on 4/17/2018
This was one of my most anticipated albums of 2018 and so I bought it the day it came out. I have always loved this band and wished that they had released more albums... well, that wish came true and so here I am with the privilege of reviewing it.
After many listens, here is what I think...
The album starts off with the title track "Sons Of The Kingdom". It clocks in at just over eight minutes. The song begins with a nice minute long intro which has a nice atmospheric soundscape featuring a laid back guitar solo with some thunder roaring in the background. Then it goes for just about another minute building up to the song before it kicks in... and it KICKS IN! The first thing I notice, this is true Sardonyx! Tom Denlinger sounds like he recorded this right after their last album but it has actually been thirteen years. Music wise, this is as good as anything they have done and that says a lot.
The next track is "Child Of The King". It is a slower, mid-tempo'd tune with double bass drum poundage ala Bill Pagaran. The bass, thumped by Chuck Turner, compliments the rhythm section nicely and the guitars, shreaded by Rod Feltman, are mixed in just right. I really like this song, classic Sardonyx. The lyrics are included with complete scripture reference and are an anthem to our faith:
"Faithfulness
Persistent Faithfulness
Unswerving, Fully Blessed
You Are A Child Of The King
And You'll Live Forever!
Compromise, Begins To Blind Your Eyes
Distractions Lead To Lies
You've Got To Fight The Fight Now!
Father, I Come To You
Take Away My Wretched Sin
Mercy And Grace Adorns You
Your Love For Me Will Never End"
"Greater Things" is the next track and I love the intro. Tom speaks the words of Christ "he Who Believes In Me, The Works That I Do He Will Do Also; And Greater Works Than These He Will Do, Because I Go To The Father." before the song kicks in and this is one of my favorite song. It is a mid-tempo'd rocker and almost has a thrashish feel to it.
The next song is "All That We Are". It too is a mid-tempo'd rocker and has a nice driving beat to it. So far I am finding that I do not need the fast-forward button as the songs all rock and sound amazing.
"Power And Love" is next and it starts out at maximum drive. This seems to be the heaviest song so far and Tommy likey. Did I mention how much they HAVEN'T changed? I mean, this sounds like they never stopped! I think this one may be my favorite song so far.
"Perfected" is the next track and it is a slow to mid tempo'd tune and although I like it, it's not my favorite song. It is kind of sporadic and chaotic but not so bad that I need to hit the FF button.
The next song is "Awake" clocking in at about seven and a half minutes. It starts out with Tom reciting from the book of Job chapter 3 with some cool guitar soloing in the background before kicking in. According to the band's website; "This song was written and performed for the glory of God for His people who are experiencing the pain and calamity that Satan unleashes in various ways to kill them, to steal from them and ultimately attempting to destroy them completely (John 10:10). Yet, we will proclaim the goodness of Jesus Christ and the abundant life He came to give us by His victory on the cross which provides salvation for all who confess Him as Lord and believe that He was raised from the dead (Romans 10:9-10)." It is a slower rocker but it's a great song. It too is more of an anthem song to AWAKE!
"My Bride Beloved" is the next song and starts off with Kristen Anselmo Hertzog's opera type vocals with thumping bass going on in the background before the song hits full throttle inYaFace metal... This is a cool song and another one of my favorites.
The final tune is "Angel Armies" and ends the album with hard driving, head banging, fist pumping goodness. This is a cool mid-tempo'd tune that just rocks!
All in all, this album did not disappoint, great from start to finish and as I said earlier, sounds like the band never missed a beat in all of the years between recordings. Could be in the running for my favorite album of the year... we'll see.