Sovereign Cross is a Heavy Metal band from California that was founded by guitarist-Gary B Sullivan back in 2001. Gary formed the band as an outlet to record and create his own projects. When it comes to the meaning behind their moniker, the band explains it best: "So, Jesus Christ is in fact the Sovereign who willingly chose to die on a Cross as a perfect sacrifice for humanities sins, thus fulfilling the old testament prophecies." - Gary B Sullivan -
After their conception in 2001, the band got to work on material for an opening project. After nearly 4 years in the making, in 2004 Sovereign Cross released their debut full-length self-titled album on an indie label. Unfortunately, after the release of their debut, fans would wait another 10 years for a follow-up release. In 2014 the band returned to the Metal scene with the release of their EP recording titled 'Approach The Throne'. In 2017, Sovereign Cross showed no sign of slowing down with the release of their second independent highly acclaimed full-length album titled 'Rock In The Night'.
After their conception in 2001, the band got to work on material for an opening project. After nearly 4 years in the making, in 2004 Sovereign Cross released their debut full-length self-titled album on an indie label. Unfortunately, after the release of their debut, fans would wait another 10 years for a follow-up release. In 2014 the band returned to the Metal scene with the release of their EP recording titled 'Approach The Throne'. In 2017, Sovereign Cross showed no sign of slowing down with the release of their second independent highly acclaimed full-length album titled 'Rock In The Night'.
In 2021 Sovereign Cross released their third full-length album titled 'Bow To The Light' on Roxx Records. With 2 full-length releases already under their belt, the band comes out swinging with their 3rd full-length studio album. This is a solid offering by the band from beginning to end with no filler tracks to skip over. With 'Bow To The Light' Gary brought on singer-Dale Thompson to handle lead vocals for the project. What many might not know is that today Dale is not only known for his work with the band BRIDE. Dale has offered his services for hire as a vocalist and a number of bands have taken advantage of this. The list of bands that have incorporated Dale into their line-ups is some what exhaustive including Perpetual Paranoia, The World Will Burn, The Thomas Thompson Earth Project, We Are Resolute, Dabster Gentlemen, Haunted No More, Iron 501, Swingle & Thompson Ordained, Dominus Meus, and N.O.G./No Other God just to mention a few.
There's no doubt that Dale has a strong powerful vocal delivery that works well for all things Heavy Metal. However, with this 2021 'Bow To The Light' project, there are a number of tracks that take a lighter approach to Metal whether it's Michael Ross' keyboards or the chosen vocal style of Dale. Then there are some tracks that are just fun in nature with their arrangements. However, with all that said, there are still some tracks like "All Aboard" that show a heavier side of the band. All this diversity just shows the depth of these seasoned veterans and their abilities as artist to created a project that will have listeners returning for more!
The track-list for 'Bow To The Light' includes 1. In The Riven 2. Long Live The King 3. Father Of Lies 4. Through The Flames 5. All Aboard 6. Pillar Of Fire 7. Bow To The Light 8. My Humble Claim 9. Your Eyed Closed
There's no doubt that Dale has a strong powerful vocal delivery that works well for all things Heavy Metal. However, with this 2021 'Bow To The Light' project, there are a number of tracks that take a lighter approach to Metal whether it's Michael Ross' keyboards or the chosen vocal style of Dale. Then there are some tracks that are just fun in nature with their arrangements. However, with all that said, there are still some tracks like "All Aboard" that show a heavier side of the band. All this diversity just shows the depth of these seasoned veterans and their abilities as artist to created a project that will have listeners returning for more!
The track-list for 'Bow To The Light' includes 1. In The Riven 2. Long Live The King 3. Father Of Lies 4. Through The Flames 5. All Aboard 6. Pillar Of Fire 7. Bow To The Light 8. My Humble Claim 9. Your Eyed Closed
Gary explains the inspiration behind their title track “Bow To The Light”: "This happens to be the first song that Dale Thompson recorded for me. I distinctly remember when I first heard it. From the very first words he sang I knew this was going to be something very special. The song makes me think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest. In Matthews gospel chapter 26 verse 39 Jesus says, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then in John 18:4-5, “Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them ‘who are you looking for?’ he asked. ‘Jesus the Nazarene,’ they replied. ‘I Am He,’ Jesus said…. As Jesus said ‘I Am He’ they all drew back and fell to the ground! …” Elsewhere it is written, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Phil 2:10-11."
The guitar section is managed by shredder-Gary Sullivan who delivers up some tasty licks throughout this 2021 release. Gary brought on guitarist-Tiago James(Hand of Fire) as a guest musician to help season the album with some additional 6 string diversity. Tiago's guitar shredin' is featured on 3 different tracks - "All Aboard", "My Humble Claim", and "Your Eyes Closed".
The band's lyrics are thought provoking and show
a love for our Creator as one can see in the following excerpts:
a love for our Creator as one can see in the following excerpts:
(All lyrics written by Dale Thompson)
Long Live The King"
He reigns
I’ll proclaim
His mighty name
It’s time to sing
Let your voices ring
Death has lost it’s sting
On the throne Jesus is the King
Soar on eagles wings, yeah!
"All Aboard"
All aboard! into the mind
Where the thoughts are shoveled coal
All aboard! Stop wasting time
Only Jesus can save your soul!
All Aboard!
King Jesus!
All Aboard!
King Jesus!
"Pillar of Fire"
Who ya trust when the going gets tough?
A million voices say that they know the way?
Who ya trust when the going gets rough?
That’s why I choose to follow the Pillar of Fire
Even now with temptation at hand
Look at the cross and I know where I stand
I’ve left my past so far behind
He say’s I’m headed for the Promised Land
"Bow to the Light"
Jesus didn’t want to wear a crown of thorns
On His head
He didn’t want to descend
To walk among the dead
But this bitter cup He did drink
You can test me
You may not lie
The end
The dark will bow to the Light
"Father of Lies"
I'm past the lust of the flesh, the pride of life
The devils lost interest in me
I cannot be tempted for the things of the world has no interest for me
Seduction waste it’s time for I’ve been set apart
Imperial desires have no place in my heart
Murderer from the beginning, the father of lies
When the cross of Christ was forced into the ground
it pierced the heart of the slithering snake
On his belly he did crawl
now he is powerless underfoot the earth quakes
"My Humble Claim"
Oh God indulge my humble claim
you are my hope my joy my rest
My Hope my joy my rest / My Hope my joy my rest
Long Live The King"
He reigns
I’ll proclaim
His mighty name
It’s time to sing
Let your voices ring
Death has lost it’s sting
On the throne Jesus is the King
Soar on eagles wings, yeah!
"All Aboard"
All aboard! into the mind
Where the thoughts are shoveled coal
All aboard! Stop wasting time
Only Jesus can save your soul!
All Aboard!
King Jesus!
All Aboard!
King Jesus!
"Pillar of Fire"
Who ya trust when the going gets tough?
A million voices say that they know the way?
Who ya trust when the going gets rough?
That’s why I choose to follow the Pillar of Fire
Even now with temptation at hand
Look at the cross and I know where I stand
I’ve left my past so far behind
He say’s I’m headed for the Promised Land
"Bow to the Light"
Jesus didn’t want to wear a crown of thorns
On His head
He didn’t want to descend
To walk among the dead
But this bitter cup He did drink
You can test me
You may not lie
The end
The dark will bow to the Light
"Father of Lies"
I'm past the lust of the flesh, the pride of life
The devils lost interest in me
I cannot be tempted for the things of the world has no interest for me
Seduction waste it’s time for I’ve been set apart
Imperial desires have no place in my heart
Murderer from the beginning, the father of lies
When the cross of Christ was forced into the ground
it pierced the heart of the slithering snake
On his belly he did crawl
now he is powerless underfoot the earth quakes
"My Humble Claim"
Oh God indulge my humble claim
you are my hope my joy my rest
My Hope my joy my rest / My Hope my joy my rest
This latest offering by Sovereign Cross is for fans of Bride, Guns N' Roses, and Rage of Angels. If you are looking for some new Metal music with an 80's era attitude then you have come to the right place! 'Bow To The Light' is a solid offering and is one of those albums that just keeps getting better and better with each listen. Help support the band and Metal music by picking up your copy of 'Bow To The Light' today!
Musicians:
Dale Thompson (Lives in New Zealand) - Vocals
Gary B Sullivan - Guitars, Bass
Dion Colucci(HAMMERDOWN) - Bass
Michael T Ross - Keyboards
Tony Morra - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Tiago James de Souza(Hand of Fire) - Guitars on "All Aboard", "My Humble Claim", "Your Eyes Closed"
Jess Townsend - Violin on "All Aboard"
Tom McCluskey - Cello on "All Aboard"
Dale Thompson (Lives in New Zealand) - Vocals
Gary B Sullivan - Guitars, Bass
Dion Colucci(HAMMERDOWN) - Bass
Michael T Ross - Keyboards
Tony Morra - Drums
Guest Musicians:
Tiago James de Souza(Hand of Fire) - Guitars on "All Aboard", "My Humble Claim", "Your Eyes Closed"
Jess Townsend - Violin on "All Aboard"
Tom McCluskey - Cello on "All Aboard"