Local Love: Review of Stone Magnum's Holy Blessings to None

Stone Magnum of Michigan City, Indiana has always been able to bring diverse songwriting to their particular brand of Trouble-inspired epic doom metal. Their third full-length album is certainly no exception and showcases even further evolution to their sound. The result is easily their most varied effort so far.

While past efforts, particularly 2013's From Time...To Eternity, proved that the band could pull off differing moods and tempo changes, Holy Blessings To None pushes them even harder and ends up being their most aggressive effort. Much of this can be attributed to the recruitment of drummer Justin Henry; his double bass work makes the fast jumps on songs like the opening "As I Burn Your World to Ash" even more hard hitting and turn the curiously self-titled "Stone Magnum" into a borderline speed metal tune. The vocals also add to the shift as Rick Hernandez brings in a grittier performance with more unhinged operatic moments.

The diversity is welcome but I do find the songwriting doesn't quite have the same impact as their first two albums. The performances are stellar and the changes keep the songs from getting dull, but there aren't as many memorable riffs or vocal lines to stand alongside past tracks like "Fallen Priest" or "By An Omen I Went." Fortunately, greatness can still be found as "The Illusion of Faith" brings the most stirring moods while the title track closes things out in a wickedly plodding fashion.

Overall, Holy Blessings To None hits harder than their past efforts in terms of style but results in a slightly lesser impression. It may take more time to grow on the listener than usual but should be particularly rewarding for those seeking a more energetic approach to epic doom. From Time...To Eternity is still their effort to top but this is a worthy entry.

Highlights:
"Stone Magnum"
"The Illusion of Faith"
"Holy Blessings To None"

Local Love: Review of Zephaniah's Reforged

Though Reforged is Zephaniah's first album since their 2008 debut, it stays close to the power/thrash metal template that that album had established. The songs are as melodic as they are speedy, the structures avoid convention, and the musicianship provides a great deal of energy and technicality. However, the time between releases has resulted in a more mature effort as the songs are longer, the tone gets darker, and the lyrics seem to take themselves a smidge more seriously.

But while the band members put in stellar performances and every instrument is frequently able to be heard, the production does feel a bit off balance. Cody Johns' nonstop drum attacks provide plenty of power but also feel rather cluttered at times. Logan Detwiler's vocals are more confident than before but he still seems to finding his footing in the grand scheme of thing. Fortunately, the guitar harmonies are the subject of many shining moments and bassist Ian Bender's bass constantly demands attention at a rate not seen in power metal since classic Helloween.

The songwriting also makes up for any flaws in the presentation. After two solid opening tracks, things get interesting as a trilogy of songs based on the Mad Max series comes blazing through. "Mad Max" and "Road Warriors" offer the album's most focal points of thrash influence while "Thunderdome" is a mid-tempo fight song complete with infectious battle chants, dark rhythms, and a couple appropriate samples. From there, "Quest For The Holy Crown" is a righteous nine minute track and "Battle Hymn for the Victorious" fades out on an epic Manowar inspired refrain.

Overall, Zephaniah's sophomore effort makes up for the time since its predecessor by outdoing it in just about every way. While the production feels jumbled, the musicianship and songwriting are impressive enough to make them a noteworthy entry to the modern American power metal scene. Here's hoping their third album doesn't take as long and also manages to shove a tune about FUry Road somewhere in time...

Highlights:
"Mad Max"
"Road Warrior"
"Thunderdome"
"Battle Hymn of the Victorious"