Lordchain
Lordchain is a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal outfit that hails from Southeast, Missouri. Lordchain has their origins dating back to 1990 where Vocalist-Kelly Matthews & Guitarist-Jeff Grady formed a band under the moniker 'Eternity'. Over the next 6 years, the band began to garner recognition as they were able to land some gigs with such well known artists like Bride and Tourniquet. However It wouldn't be until 1996 that the group would change their band's name to Lordchain. Frontman-Kelly Matthews had the following to say concerning the meaning behind the band's name: " I've always looked at it like, as brothers & sisters in Christ, we are all linked together. When we would share the stage with other Christian bands, it wasn't a competition. We were there for the same reason. We were all connected. We were family."
Over the next 21 years, the band went on to release 9 studio albums starting with their self-titled debut release in 1997. Then in 2002 Lordchain released their followup sophomore album titled 'Cracked'. In 2004 they released their third album titled 'Soulever.' From there, the band went on to release their fourth album in 2006 titled 'Looking Past the Moment'. Then in 2007 they released their fifth studio album titled 'Finding Balance'. In 2010 Lordchain released their sixth full-length album smartly titled 'What Is, What Was'. Then it wouldn't be for another 7 years before fans would hear from the band until they released their 2017 album 'Lordchain 20th Anniversary.' And in 2018 the band went on to release two different albums - 'Cracked Reborn' and a praise album titled 'For the Love of God' which is in reality a praise EP which the band has made available as a free download.
Over the next 21 years, the band went on to release 9 studio albums starting with their self-titled debut release in 1997. Then in 2002 Lordchain released their followup sophomore album titled 'Cracked'. In 2004 they released their third album titled 'Soulever.' From there, the band went on to release their fourth album in 2006 titled 'Looking Past the Moment'. Then in 2007 they released their fifth studio album titled 'Finding Balance'. In 2010 Lordchain released their sixth full-length album smartly titled 'What Is, What Was'. Then it wouldn't be for another 7 years before fans would hear from the band until they released their 2017 album 'Lordchain 20th Anniversary.' And in 2018 the band went on to release two different albums - 'Cracked Reborn' and a praise album titled 'For the Love of God' which is in reality a praise EP which the band has made available as a free download.
'Cracked Reborn' was originally released in 2002 under the album title 'Cracked' and included 14 original tracks along with 7 demo cuts of said original tracks which brings the total to 21 tunes in all. With that said, in 2018 Lordchain re-released 'Cracked' under the title 'Cracked Reborn' and still sporting the original cover art yet dropping the original demo tracks. This re-release was sent to the metalsmith's shop and reworked over the anvil in order to capture more raw intensity and a heavier feel. The band mostly accomplishes this through featuring additional lead guitar and grinding rhythms throughout their arrangements. 'Cracked Reborn' was Produced, Engineered, and Mixed by Jeff Grady and Kelly Matthews at New Vision Studios. Editing was handled by Carmen Grady and the album was Mastered by Jacob Church. Cover Art, Photography, Graphic Design and Layout by Brant Hutchcraft. This release is In memory of Dale Huffman(Metal Pulse Radio/Firestream-moderator). "A fan, a friend and a true man of God. I know you would have loved this."
After giving this album several spins, the album begins to reveal the diversity within 'Cracked Reborn' so I couldn’t help but give a simple break down from track to track as seen in the following: Track 1 “Cracked” has a heavy Metallica feel to it musically and vocally. Track 2 “Memorial”, with its low tuned guitars, has a Doom feel to it. Track 3 “When I Sleep” is a catchy tune where vocalist-Kelly Matthews delivers in a clean register accompanied by some 80's style groove arrangements. Track 4 “9th Of June” showcases some heavier guitars with the vocals reminding me of the 90’s grunge era at times. Track 5 “As I Am” draws comparisons once more to Metallica. Track 6 “Dead Man’s Bones” is intense taking on more of a Technical Thrash sound in the veins of Tourniquet with its guitar play. Track 7 “Undone” is progressive in nature and takes things down a notch but works things back up to a heavy boil by the latter half. Track 8 “Stare Me Down” is a Doom teaser track with the guitars going in and out of Doom and hard Rock riffs. Track 9 “Diffuse” is a softer track that mixes some Grunge sounding guitars with some 80‘s style guitar play. Track 10 “Lint” is more in keeping with the traditional Lordchain sound complete with heavy guitar work and grit laced vocals.
Lyrics are Christ centered and thought provoking. The following are some lyric excerpts:
"When I Sleep"
You gave Your life
I'll give You mine
When I sleep
Your watching over me
When I fall
Your there to catch me
When I weep
You always dry my eyes
When I pray You heal me
"9th Of June"
Will I fly away
Into the void
Will the world destruct
Or am I just paranoid
The words of man
Can lead astray
False Prophecies
For no man knows the day
"Diffuse"
You chase away the darkness
You're my eternal light
I know that You never left me
Even through my darkest nights
You pick up the pieces
And put me back together again
You are the alpha and omega
The beginning and the end
You gave Your life
I'll give You mine
When I sleep
Your watching over me
When I fall
Your there to catch me
When I weep
You always dry my eyes
When I pray You heal me
"9th Of June"
Will I fly away
Into the void
Will the world destruct
Or am I just paranoid
The words of man
Can lead astray
False Prophecies
For no man knows the day
"Diffuse"
You chase away the darkness
You're my eternal light
I know that You never left me
Even through my darkest nights
You pick up the pieces
And put me back together again
You are the alpha and omega
The beginning and the end
2018 is proving that Metal is still alive and can be heard with every ping and spark that is produced as the hammer strikes the anvil.
Over all this is another solid release for the band so if you are looking for some hard hitting Metal to add to your collection then consider what Lordchain has offered up here with 'Cracked Reborn'.
Over all this is another solid release for the band so if you are looking for some hard hitting Metal to add to your collection then consider what Lordchain has offered up here with 'Cracked Reborn'.
Albums may be purchased at the following links:
Musicians:
Kelly Matthews-Lead & Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar, Drums
Jeff Grady-Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar on "9th of June"
Special Guest:
Cris Brown(Former Lordchain Guitarist)-Clean Guitars on "When I Sleep" and "Undone"
Kelly Matthews-Lead & Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar, Drums
Jeff Grady-Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar on "9th of June"
Special Guest:
Cris Brown(Former Lordchain Guitarist)-Clean Guitars on "When I Sleep" and "Undone"