Slaves Wage is a Metal band from Arlington, TX that formed back in 2006 by vocalist-Jeff Saenz and guitarist-James Johnson. Slaves Wage now has a number of albums to their credit including their debut 4-track self-titled EP which was released in 2007 on an independent label. Just three years after their debut release, the band stepped into the studio to record their follow-up 2010 6-track EP album titled 'Faith Says' on an indie label. Five years after their sophomore offering, the band showed no signs of stopping with the release of their third independent album titled 'Wisdom's Call'. Released in 2015, 'Wisdom's Call' features 10-tracks and was the band's first full-length album on an indie label.
Concerning the band's name & the meaning behind it, Slaves Wage had the following to say: "The apostle Paul introduced himself to his readers in the book of Romans as, "Paul, a SERVANT of Jesus Christ..." (ROMANS 1:1). In the book of Titus, Paul introduces himself to his readers in this fashion, "Paul, a SERVANT of God..." (TITUS 1:1). The word SERVANT in both these instances is better rendered SLAVE or BOND SERVANT, one who has no rights of his or her own. Paul was saying that he was a SLAVE of Jesus Christ, a SLAVE of God with no rights of his own. According to Webster's New World Dictionary, the word WAGE means, "what is given in return for work done." God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him ( HEBREWS 11:6). Jesus said, "...: if any man serve me, him will my father honor" (JOHN 12:26). Hence the name SLAVES WAGE! God delights in blessing those who bless Him! God delights in rewarding those who love Him and serve Him!"
Concerning the band's name & the meaning behind it, Slaves Wage had the following to say: "The apostle Paul introduced himself to his readers in the book of Romans as, "Paul, a SERVANT of Jesus Christ..." (ROMANS 1:1). In the book of Titus, Paul introduces himself to his readers in this fashion, "Paul, a SERVANT of God..." (TITUS 1:1). The word SERVANT in both these instances is better rendered SLAVE or BOND SERVANT, one who has no rights of his or her own. Paul was saying that he was a SLAVE of Jesus Christ, a SLAVE of God with no rights of his own. According to Webster's New World Dictionary, the word WAGE means, "what is given in return for work done." God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him ( HEBREWS 11:6). Jesus said, "...: if any man serve me, him will my father honor" (JOHN 12:26). Hence the name SLAVES WAGE! God delights in blessing those who bless Him! God delights in rewarding those who love Him and serve Him!"
"There is a Hope. You can find a new beginning. Jesus Christ...
the Way, the Truth and the Life. Give your life to Him today."
the Way, the Truth and the Life. Give your life to Him today."
In 2020 Slaves Wage released their fourth offering and their second full-length album titled 'Heaven Or Hell' on Sancrosanct Records. The album was recorded at Nomad Recording Studio with the mixing & tracking being handled by Russell Hollar of Russell Hollar Music Production at Nomad Studios in Grapevine, TX. The Mastering was managed by Gary Long at Nomad Studios and the album's cover art was done by Jan Yrlund of Darkgrove Graphics in Finland.
The line-up for 'Heaven Or Hell' is comprised of lead vocalist-Jeff Saenz, Guitarist-James Johnson, bassist-Xavier Sierra, and drummer-Pedro Cortes. The only roster change to report come by way of Tony Fernandez being replaced by bassist-Xavier Sierra.
The line-up for 'Heaven Or Hell' is comprised of lead vocalist-Jeff Saenz, Guitarist-James Johnson, bassist-Xavier Sierra, and drummer-Pedro Cortes. The only roster change to report come by way of Tony Fernandez being replaced by bassist-Xavier Sierra.
So the question at hand is: how does the band's 2020 release stack up in comparison to their 2015 offering - 'Wisdom's Call'? 'Heaven Or Hell' finds the band moving away from the Grunge/Rock arrangements of their 2015 album and into a more modern day Metal sound. Without question, the band has grown and matured taking things to a new level on their latest recording. From track to track we find deeper song structure coupled by more overall depth of guitar play that can stand up to any secular band within the same genre.
When one takes into consideration the arrangements within each song on 'Heaven Or Hell', what they will find is that the band had dug deep into their bag of tricks to offer plenty diversity from beginning to end. Tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 10 all incorporate Thrash riffs in there arrangements. Tracks 4, 5, 7, and 11 all have Doom elements added to some Rock & Metal oriented structures. The band continues with their diversity within the title cut, track-3, which is a Power Metal tune with some killer galloping guitar riffs. Lastly, there's track-9 "All Alone" which draws comparison to many 80's style Rock songs. "All Alone" is a power ballad where we find some exceptional guitar work in the veins of Slash(Guns N' Roses). The fret work on "All Alone" is on a different level and even sent chills up the spine of this listener. Finally, For all you "Core" fans out there, track-8 "Soul Slave" takes on a modern Hard Core/Metal Core sound not unlike that of the band 'Demon Hunter'. Sorry, we're not Metal Core fans here at Christian Molten Metal so for this listener track-8 will forever be skipped over. Track-8 doesn't mesh with the rest of the album and should have been left off or put on a different Metal Core dedicated release.
When one takes into consideration the arrangements within each song on 'Heaven Or Hell', what they will find is that the band had dug deep into their bag of tricks to offer plenty diversity from beginning to end. Tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, and 10 all incorporate Thrash riffs in there arrangements. Tracks 4, 5, 7, and 11 all have Doom elements added to some Rock & Metal oriented structures. The band continues with their diversity within the title cut, track-3, which is a Power Metal tune with some killer galloping guitar riffs. Lastly, there's track-9 "All Alone" which draws comparison to many 80's style Rock songs. "All Alone" is a power ballad where we find some exceptional guitar work in the veins of Slash(Guns N' Roses). The fret work on "All Alone" is on a different level and even sent chills up the spine of this listener. Finally, For all you "Core" fans out there, track-8 "Soul Slave" takes on a modern Hard Core/Metal Core sound not unlike that of the band 'Demon Hunter'. Sorry, we're not Metal Core fans here at Christian Molten Metal so for this listener track-8 will forever be skipped over. Track-8 doesn't mesh with the rest of the album and should have been left off or put on a different Metal Core dedicated release.
It's worth noting that there are 3 instrumental tracks featured at the beginning, middle, and end of the album called "The Eternal Triumvirate"(Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3) Each instrumental is different in nature with Pt. 1, the opening track, combining some 90's style guitar work accompanied by mosh worthy high-octane Thrash riffs. The second instrumental - "The Eternal Triumvirate Pt. 2" brings things down a notch with some acoustic guitar play that progresses alone an brings in some incredible solo work by Johnson in the latter half. The third instrumental - Pt. 3 delivers up the Metal goods with Doom accompanied by 90's style noodling from Johnson.
The band has included information about these instrumentals in the liner notes of the CD: "According to Websters Dictionary a "triumvirate" is a group of three people who share a position of authority or power. According to the same source, "eternal" means having no beginning and no end in time; lasting forever. The Eternal Triumvirate is therefore a reference to the eternal rule and reign of God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit over Creation and the affairs of men, all things being created by Him, for Him, through Him, and to Him."
The band has included information about these instrumentals in the liner notes of the CD: "According to Websters Dictionary a "triumvirate" is a group of three people who share a position of authority or power. According to the same source, "eternal" means having no beginning and no end in time; lasting forever. The Eternal Triumvirate is therefore a reference to the eternal rule and reign of God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit over Creation and the affairs of men, all things being created by Him, for Him, through Him, and to Him."
Normally when one considers the Thrash genre, in relation to the vocals, what comes to mind is heavy, raspy deliveries, often accompanied by Death vocals or vice versa. However, there are some well known bands that have incorporated clean vocals into their Thrash arrangements like Deliverance, Grave Forsaken, Temple Of Blood, and The Crucified. With that said, on this 2020 release, we also find Slaves Wage presenting clean vocals with their Thrash arrangements. Frontman-Jeff Saenz draws comparison to vocalist-Peter Sigfridsson(Majestic Vanguard) in the way he delivers in the mid-range throughout the album.
Shredder-James Johnson handles lead guitars while frontman-Jeff Saenz manages rhythm guitars for the band. However, depending on the song, both Johnson & Saenz move in and out of rhythm guitars sharing the responsibility. Johnson handles all the solos on the new album except for the first section of the solo on track-3 "Heaven Or Hell" which Saenz plays. The guitar section is found playing everything from Thrash to Rock styles to Doom to Power Metal allowing this project to reach a much broader audience than previous releases.
Lyrics are overtly Christ centered and evangelic as one can see in the following excerpts:
"All Alone"
All alone
Finding myself in crazy places
When will I learn there’s no light in the dark?
I’m coming home
I’ll give you all of me (I hear You calling me)
I’ve been so wrong (It’s been so long)
You’ve been so good to me (You’ve waited patiently)
I’m coming home!
"I Feel You"
This poor man cried to the Lord
And You heard him from on high
When I opened up my heart
I felt Your love come on inside
"Push"
Zeal of the Lord of Hosts
Burns like a fire in our bones
Won’t stop until we’ve fought our fight
‘till all kingdoms belong to Christ
"Doom"
I am not who I used to be
Everything’s changing
The old man swallowed by the new
No looking back, full steam ahead
Living for Jesus
Who lived and died and rose again
Forever Friend
All alone
Finding myself in crazy places
When will I learn there’s no light in the dark?
I’m coming home
I’ll give you all of me (I hear You calling me)
I’ve been so wrong (It’s been so long)
You’ve been so good to me (You’ve waited patiently)
I’m coming home!
"I Feel You"
This poor man cried to the Lord
And You heard him from on high
When I opened up my heart
I felt Your love come on inside
"Push"
Zeal of the Lord of Hosts
Burns like a fire in our bones
Won’t stop until we’ve fought our fight
‘till all kingdoms belong to Christ
"Doom"
I am not who I used to be
Everything’s changing
The old man swallowed by the new
No looking back, full steam ahead
Living for Jesus
Who lived and died and rose again
Forever Friend
"All band members are Christians and their love for all things heavy and their Lord prove to be a match made in Heaven. Their hope and prayer is that these songs will in some way help all who listen find the answers to their questions, solutions to their problems, peace for a troubled mind and a relationship with the God who so loved us that He gave His only born Son, Jesus Christ, that we might experience what life was really intended to be (JOHN 3:16 ; JOHN 10:10)!"
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Jeff Saenz - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars
James Johnson - Lead Guitars
Xavier Sierra - Bass
Pedro Cortes - Drums
Jeff Saenz - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars
James Johnson - Lead Guitars
Xavier Sierra - Bass
Pedro Cortes - Drums