ForChristSake-Death is But A Breath Away

Self-Release/Independent
2010

No label? No problem! In what would prove to be just the first step of many taken by this extreme metal band from Northern Ireland, the (then) five-piece band known as ForChristSake self-released their debut EP, "Death is But A Breath Away". Fronted by lead vocalist/keyboardist Guy, with all of the lyrics and music written-by the pair of Ignatios (drums & vocals) and Seraphim (guitar & vocals), this Christ-first/death metal-second act might have wore their faith on their sleeves, but, given the fact that it was being backed up by some of the most brutal and extreme metal out there, it was presented in such a fashion as to reach every corner of every pit whether in their home country or world-wide! "Heavy for Christ" is a battle-cry that I've heard, or rather have felt and laid witness to, many times over from my first "real" Christian metal concert "experience" (Deliverance w/ Sacrament) up to and including now (with Christian heavy metal and thrash at an all time high, quality-wise and availability-wise, there is no longer the tired old stigma of "this band is just a Christian version of this band, etc." that haunted it for far too many years). Still, I fail (epically!) in my attempted rummaging through my warn-out memory banks to find any Christian band as destructive on tape as this bunch! While it's not strictly death metal we are talking about with these four tracks, as there is plenty of black metal and thrash metal to be found within a release like "Death is But A Breath Away", it's probably the best starting point from which to jump when chatting about this (soon-to-be) Roxx Records act! Other then lead vocalist/keyboardist Guy the same bunch that recorded this EP appears on their recently-released full-length debut album, "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror". Having heard their Roxx Records full-length debut release first though, which you can read all about at the link pasted below, it's somewhat interesting walking backwards to this short recording. But, other then the switching-up of the vocal duties between releases this is the same crushing entity that blew me away with "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror". So, if you've heard their first and liked it then you'll no doubt like this EP. That's not to say that there hasn't been growth as there certainly has been. This is almost a case of addition by subtraction as I actually prefer the vocals on ForChristSake's new LP more then I do on this 2010 EP. Also, the band seems to have tightened up all of the various lose edges and made more then a few steps toward being more technically-sound. But of course that's what is supposed to happen when you grow as a band and have a few years between releases. All of which means exactly what in the end? Well, if I was going to give out an album to a fan and fellow lover of all things extreme metal (as a "Hey, have you heard this new extreme metal band from Northern Ireland yet?") I would definitely go with "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror". That seems fairly obvious right? But, after letting them soak up the awesomeness of "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror" I would slide them this EP in an ever-so-cool manor and say "If you thought the full-length debut from this gnarly bunch was wicked wait until you listen to this raw beast of an EP!!!!!".

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=ForChristSake-Apocalyptic+Visions+of+Divine+Terror+

ForChristSake-Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror

Roxx Records
2014

Belfast-based act ForChristSake, which was formed by drummer/vocalist Ignatios, claim that they are  Northern Ireland’s "only Christian extreme metal band". I'll take these fine, quite talented, four-lads at their word with that one as I'm (honestly) not all that familiar with Northern Ireland’s extreme metal scene, Christian or not. Serving as a follow-up to the group's 2010, self-released (and reportedly, overall, well-received by both critics and fans!) EP "Death Is But A Breath Away", which you can find as a digital-download on places like iTunes and Amazon (or, presumably if you go by the band's official website, which I'll link to below, can be ordered directly from the band members themselves at the following email address: forchristsaketheband@ymail.com), this 16-track collection of pulverizing metal was due to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting metal community back in 2013. But, after some technical difficulties and a few other (unmentioned) misc. delays, it is only now (or rather next week) that fans will finally be treated to everything that this extreme Christian act has to offer with the crushing "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror". Heavy on the theology, and even heavier in their delivery, ForChristSake combine elements of heavy/power metal, thrash metal, death metal and even black metal into a decidedly deadly, expertly executed,  Molotov cocktail of a release that has to NEEDS to be heard to truly be appreciated! Having lost lead vocalist/keyboardist Guy Taylor along the way, which left many fans wondering how this band would continue on without his contributions, it now appears as if Ben (who also handles rhythm guitar) has stepped up his game and, along with drummer Ignatios, is providing lead vocals. If I'm mistaken in that assumption then I offer up my most humblest of apologies. But, when you think about it friends and fellow purveyors of all things incredibly loud and disruptive to the nervous system, it really is a bit of a moot point as no matter who handles the lead vocal work on which particular track it all ends up with the same result-BRUTAL and CRUSHING extreme metal! Together with lead guitarist Simon and bass player Mark (both of whom are as equally talented as our presumably lead singers!) the pair of Ben and Ignatios toss caution into the wind and just go full-out CRAZY with their full-length debut album! Whether you're a Christian or not is not so much the issue with this upcoming release as it's more about  whether or not you are a fan of extreme, melt your face off and shred your body into a billion tiny pieces, metal at it's finest! If the answer to that second part is yes and you find yourself looking at 2014 and thinking "Where will the next brutal band come from and when will their extreme album drop?" then this soon to be released CD is for you! Besides the (often-times) otherworldly vocals, which actually give this Christian metal release a bit of a dark afterglow, it's the heavy-use of thrashing guitars that gives "Apocalyptic Visions of Divine Terror" much of it's powerful edge. Lead guitarist Simon lays down some simply-sinister solos that bring to mind everyone from Slayer to Death! Meanwhile the rhythm section, which is (thankfully) never buried too deeply in the mix (as you'll want to hear each and every drum beat and bass riff you can on this one folks!), cuts it's teeth on old-school death metal as much as it does the more modern elements of today's extreme metal scene. What sticks out in the end is how each and every part of the equation that is ForChristSake is given equal opportunity on the main-stage and how (collectively) this four-piece feeds off of the energy of each other. No doubt this lot is as dedicated to their craft as they are the album's overall message! Slated for release on January 21st, with a mere 30 CD copies (although likely-less by now) of "Death Is But A breath Away" also available to purchase in a (slightly) more expensive set (which is what I opted for!), you can pre-order this (likely-addition to my "Best of 2014" list) CD right here: http://roxxproductions.storenvy.com/products/1098444-forchristsake-apocalyptic-visions-of-divine-terror. Also be sure to check out the band's Facebook page and give them a "like" while you're at it as I'm sure these Irish rage-rockers would appreciate the love!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ForChristSake/114570038553752 

Official website of ForChristSake:
http://www.forchristsake.co.uk/ 

The Answer-New Horizon

Napalm Records
2013

Due for release at the end of September, The Answer's upcoming new album, "New Horizon", should please both fans of old and new. Produced by Toby Jepson (Little Angels) and mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica), "New Horizon" is the killer sound of rock and roll all revved up and ready to go! With the soon-to-be released "New Horizon" making it album number four for these Northern Irish rockers (time flies when you're having fun after all!), if they weren't a household name before this album then The Answer should be shortly! Here we are looking at a 4-piece band that is all dolled up and ready for the party to begin. All that's needed is an eager listening audience that's been craving real rock and roll. If that sounds like you then have no worries. Your appetite will soon be taken care of seeing as The Answer's upcoming LP reads like a how to manual on the proper way to create a real  rock and roll album! Simply put "New Horizon" sounds like a down-right killer rock and roll album so if you're looking to add a new name to your collection then look no further. As "New Horizon" unveils itself for the listener in such a smooth fashion it comes across as more of a long lost classic rock album than one assembled in 2013! And that's not easy folks! As for the four guys behind this album you might be asking? Well, guitarist Paul Mahon, whose father was a renowned jazz trumpeter in his native Ireland, actually formed The Answer back in 2000, but it would take a little while before the group's first-album would be released. That's getting a bit ahead of ourselves though so let's get back to how guitarist Paul Mahon first put this group together. Enlisting his school chum Micky Waters as a bassist, the band would soon enough be rounded out by the talented lead vocals of Cormac Neeson and the mad drumming skills of James Heatley. With Paul Mahon providing the same sort of lead guitar solos that made rock and roll so dangerous to the establishment to begin with (in other words his guitar playing is crafted from the spirits of bands like Cream and Deep Purple as well as artists like Jimi Hendrix) and bassist Micky Waters burning the house down with some meaty riffs it was pretty obvious from the start that this 4-piece had good things in store for the listening public. For whatever reason though it did take a little time before they were able to pull-off a studio release. The band's 2006 debut album, "Rise", (which has yet to see an official release here in the US oddly enough) was certainly a long-time coming, but it proved to be more than worth the wait! "Rise" would end up on the receiving end of almost universal praise as would it's follow-up, 2009's "Everyday Demons". When it came down to the group's last album, 2011's "Revival", it was pretty much the same deal as the band's classic rock-tinged hard rock had appealed to those longing for the good old days when rock and roll was more about sound and less about image. With "New Horizon" it's more of the same, which isn't a bad deal at all when you're talking about rock and roll like this, only this time around it seems much more refined as if The Answer has just about perfected their own individual sound! The group's influences, which run from A (AC/DC) to Z (Zeppelin), seem less noticeable on their forth album as if these four guys are finally taping into their own groove. Even if their potent brand of heavy rock/hard rock might still point an approving figure towards the likes of Thin Lizzy it's more as if The Answer is just acknowledging their roots then rehashing them. In the end "New Horizon" makes for a great listen. It's that plain and simple and, as such, it's a no-brainer for both fans of The Answer and those people who are always on the lookout for that old-fashioned, well-loved rock and roll sound! And speaking of which, this new album will be well-loved and duly appreciated by yours truly as it finds a way into my stereos heavy rotation section!