War Of Ages - Arise and Conquer (Album)
 

“War of Ages” is a Californian quintet that plays incredibly tight and at times intricate Christian metal. The band’s biography states “War of Ages are the hardest-working, hardest-touring, most heartfelt melodic heavy metal hardcore band in the land.” This seems perfectly plausible, as not even musical Virtuosos can achieve the sheer tightness of this record overnight – this is a band that has carefully crafted their sound to perfection.

Lyric wise, the Christian element is never vulgar. There is the occasional mention of the almighty father, but nothing you’re likely to find in any “Creed” song, thank God.

Despite the lyrics being subtle in their religious message, it seems that they have no meaning behind them. Lots of songs on the album bear hazy lyrics such as “rise to avenge our past” but it is a struggle to find any real substance behind these lyrics.

The stand out song on “Arise and Conquer” has to be “Salvation”. Its intro is just superb. A harmonised guitar riff not dissimilar to “Bullet for my Valentine” with stripped down percussive hits underneath helping to build tension. Leroy Hamp’s distinctive hardcore vocal fires the guitarists into a melodic, technically sound guitar solo. However brilliant the instrumental intro is, what really separates this song from the rest is simply that it’s in a different key to all other songs on the album. Even this slightest of variations in a song can excite the listener. Perhaps something “War of Ages” should do more often.

If any of these songs were to be released as a single, I think they’d deserve a considerably higher rating than 6/10. However, the songs, frustratingly, all sound similar, with thrash metal verses and a bass drum/guitar chug beat-down in almost every song. “Arise & Conquer” would really benefit from at least one down tempo song with a little less screaming. After all, even the greatest of metal bands brought variation into their albums (“Nothing Else Matters” on Metallica’s Black Album).

This album is a good, solid basis for the band to work from. However, to progress, the band should make use of the age-old saying, “Variety is the spice of life.” I’m sorry but this serving is just a bit too bland.