PRETERIST is a European Power Metal solo project that is the brainchild of Finnish vocalist-Simon J. Kok(Etappi). The band's Power Metal sound can be compared to that of Stratovarius, Inner Wish, and OneMustFall. The decision to form the band came from the fact that Simon has been writing songs for many years and has accumulated dozens of unfinished demo tracks. He had reached a point where he wanted to get his songs into listener's hands. So, with the know-how and equipment to produce an album, Simon decided to take his demo recording to the next stage. It was at this point when he decided to look for some additional musicians in order to realize his project.
Simon j. Kok explains: "I reached out to Carl Johan Grimmark of Narnia and asked him if he would want to be my session guitarist. And he said yes! Why him, then? Well, he is a talented guitar player, I've been a Narnia fan for years and he would certainly understand the PoWeR MeTaL genre I'm aiming for. This was his parting comment: Thank you for trusting me with this project. It's indeed a well written and interesting piece and I'm looking forward to hearing the final result." Thank you so much for participating, Mr. Grimmark! The final result will be MeTaL! Another friend and brother in the faith who agreed to participate is Egon Veevo on bass. He is a former bandmate of mine and a dependable and very professional bass player, well-versed in his craft. Thank you for being on-board, Egon!"
In 2022 PRETERIST released their debut full-length album titled 'Blood Moon Rising' on an indie label. This is a solo project produced by vocalist-Simon J. Kok featuring guest musicians Carl Johan Grimmark(Narnia) on guitars and Egon Veevo(Hilastherion) on bass. The album's stunning cover art was done by artist-Rafael Tavares.
The track-list for 'Blood Moon Rising' includes 1.To the Holy Mountain 2.They Are Already Here 3.Higher 4.Blood Moon Rising 5.This Body of Death 6.Free Peoples of the World 7.Power of My Mind 8.No More Rebellion 9.Fire 10.Anomaly 11.Dying Star 12.More than This.
One thing that stands out about this album is that not one song sounds like another. Every track is unique and different in its own way. Although the album contains such diversity, the listener will find that all the songs still mesh well together. The albums arrangements mostly reflect the Power Metal genre yet there are some tracks that are Prog Rock oriented being progressive in nature. Frontman-Simon J. Kok does an great job of mixing and changing things up with differing vocal deliveries from the first track to the last. Simon's use of the keyboards adds an additional atmospheric element that works well with each track. CJ Grimmark gives the performance of his life from behind the 6-strings while Egon Veevo(Hilastherion) lays down some heavy bass lines.
The track-list for 'Blood Moon Rising' includes 1.To the Holy Mountain 2.They Are Already Here 3.Higher 4.Blood Moon Rising 5.This Body of Death 6.Free Peoples of the World 7.Power of My Mind 8.No More Rebellion 9.Fire 10.Anomaly 11.Dying Star 12.More than This.
One thing that stands out about this album is that not one song sounds like another. Every track is unique and different in its own way. Although the album contains such diversity, the listener will find that all the songs still mesh well together. The albums arrangements mostly reflect the Power Metal genre yet there are some tracks that are Prog Rock oriented being progressive in nature. Frontman-Simon J. Kok does an great job of mixing and changing things up with differing vocal deliveries from the first track to the last. Simon's use of the keyboards adds an additional atmospheric element that works well with each track. CJ Grimmark gives the performance of his life from behind the 6-strings while Egon Veevo(Hilastherion) lays down some heavy bass lines.
Without question, Carl Johan Grimmark has made his mark in the Metal world as the lead guitarist for the band Narnia. I have to give Johan props for his work on 'Blood Moon Rising, because I found it very impressive that the guitar work doesn't lead me to immediately think I'm listening to another Narnia album. Grimmark did an exceptional job of helping this album have its own unique guitar sound that doesn't conflict with what he has already established with the European band - Narnia.
Lyrics are Christ centered yet don't come across as being preachy.
Lyrics vary from end-times eschatology to evangelical to themes of redemption.
Lyrics vary from end-times eschatology to evangelical to themes of redemption.
"They are Already Here"
What do you see when you look around you
What do you make of the signs of times
Proof that the end of days is getting closer
Wars and rumors of war
The sun and the moon will not shine their light
Dark day of vengeance, blood and fire
"Higher"
Sinners gather to the holy mountain
Zion calls your name
Throw your sins and sorrows on His shoulders
Give Him all your guilt and shame
More precious than earthly riches
Rejoice in the newness of your life
Born of the Spirit
Born of God
"This Body of Death"
Flesh and the spirit
Two laws inside of me
But who the Son gives freedom
Shall be free indeed
So if I stumble
Will I keep serving sin?
No!
So I plead rescue me
From this body of death
Wretched man that I am in my sin
Intervene and set me free
From this pain that no one knows
And no one feels
I'm begging You, please
I'm on my knees
"Free Peoples of the World"
Free peoples of the world unite with me
Together we can find a place to be
Free from the rule of madness
To love and to believe
Freedom from the world and all its lies
Freedom to obey no king but Christ
Free from rule of tyrants
Free eternally
"Power of my Mind"
(2 Thessalonians 2; 1 John 2:18)
Hear the voice of Revelation calling
Once obscure becoming crystal clear
No more lies, my faith is ever growing
Unafraid I face the future without fear
See the truth before my eyes unfolding
Leave the flames of Babylon behind
Hope and faith guide me in my calling
To love the Lord with all the power of my mind
"No More Rebellion"
There is no more rebellion in rock 'n roll
There is no one who wants to believe
You go out of your way to bow down and obey
Like cattle and sheep play the role
There is no more rebellion in rock 'n roll
Is there no one who wants to believe
But the righteous remain
We will not fade away
True rebels will always prevail
True rebels are people of the faith
What do you see when you look around you
What do you make of the signs of times
Proof that the end of days is getting closer
Wars and rumors of war
The sun and the moon will not shine their light
Dark day of vengeance, blood and fire
"Higher"
Sinners gather to the holy mountain
Zion calls your name
Throw your sins and sorrows on His shoulders
Give Him all your guilt and shame
More precious than earthly riches
Rejoice in the newness of your life
Born of the Spirit
Born of God
"This Body of Death"
Flesh and the spirit
Two laws inside of me
But who the Son gives freedom
Shall be free indeed
So if I stumble
Will I keep serving sin?
No!
So I plead rescue me
From this body of death
Wretched man that I am in my sin
Intervene and set me free
From this pain that no one knows
And no one feels
I'm begging You, please
I'm on my knees
"Free Peoples of the World"
Free peoples of the world unite with me
Together we can find a place to be
Free from the rule of madness
To love and to believe
Freedom from the world and all its lies
Freedom to obey no king but Christ
Free from rule of tyrants
Free eternally
"Power of my Mind"
(2 Thessalonians 2; 1 John 2:18)
Hear the voice of Revelation calling
Once obscure becoming crystal clear
No more lies, my faith is ever growing
Unafraid I face the future without fear
See the truth before my eyes unfolding
Leave the flames of Babylon behind
Hope and faith guide me in my calling
To love the Lord with all the power of my mind
"No More Rebellion"
There is no more rebellion in rock 'n roll
There is no one who wants to believe
You go out of your way to bow down and obey
Like cattle and sheep play the role
There is no more rebellion in rock 'n roll
Is there no one who wants to believe
But the righteous remain
We will not fade away
True rebels will always prevail
True rebels are people of the faith
PRETERIST is for fans of Stratovarius, Inner Wish, and OneMustFall. Hopefully we haven't heard the last from Simon J. Kok because with his latest project, he has delivered up a solid Power Metal slab that won't soon be forgotten! Help support the band and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of 'Blood Moon Rising' today! Also, don't forget to check out the interview I had with the band.
Musicians:
Simon J. Kok - Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Orchestrations, & Drums
Guest Musicians:
Carl Johan Grimmark(Narnia) - Guitars
Egon Veevo(Hilastherion) - Bass
Simon J. Kok - Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Orchestrations, & Drums
Guest Musicians:
Carl Johan Grimmark(Narnia) - Guitars
Egon Veevo(Hilastherion) - Bass