'Thee Final Chaptre' is a Heavy Metal band from New Orleans, LA that saw their conception back in 1989 by guitarist-Gary Wilson. Gary wasted no time in bringing on frontman-Tripp Andrews to handle lead vocals, Paul Starnes on bass, and drummer-David Osbourn to keep time for the band. Thee Final Chaptre's sound has been compared to bands like Queensrÿche, Recon, Stryper, Sacred Warrior, and Iron Maiden. When it comes to the meaning behind their moniker, the band had the following to say: "Thee Final Chaptre, as in your Final Chaptre, is just that. Written as the last chapter of each of our lives and how we choose to live it."
Not long after forming, the band got to work on material for a first recording. In 1991 Thee Final Chaptre entered Festival Studios in Kenner, LA and recorded their debut 6-track cassette EP titled 'It Is Written' on WEI Records. The track-list for their EP recording included 1.Day After Day 2.The Key 3.The Hallowed Hymn 4.Come as You Are 5.All for One 6.Don't Let It Run You Down (Thunder Trilogy Part One). This was a solid offering for the group with some hard hittin' tracks, not just in sound, but also with their message.
Unfortunately, in 1992, just one year after the release of their debut recording, the band members all went their separate ways and were not heard from again.
Unfortunately, in 1992, just one year after the release of their debut recording, the band members all went their separate ways and were not heard from again.
However, in 2016 'Thee Final Chaptre' teamed up with Divebomb Records to release a re-mastered deluxe edition of their 1991 debut recording. The album was titled 'It Is Written' and features all 6 original tracks from the 1991 EP along with nine previously unreleased live bonus tracks, and one additional bonus demo track. For the first time these rare gems were recorded on CD format. The track-list for 'It Is Written' includes 1.Day After Day 2.The Key 3.The Hallowed Hymn 4.Come As You Are 5.All For One 6.Don't Let It Run You Down (Thunder Trilogy Part I) 7.Just A Memory (Bonus Demo Track) 8.Blood In The Sand (Bonus Live Track) 9.Insane (Bonus Live Track) 10.Wisdom's Call (Bonus Live Track) 11.Whisper To Scream (Bonus Live Track) 12.Edge Of Sadness (Bonus Live Track) 13.Just A Memory (Bonus Live Track) 14.Bullet In The Chamber (Bonus Live Track) 15.Armageddon (Bonus Live Track) 16.Black Rain (Bonus Live Track).
In 2022 'Thee Final Chaptre' released their full-length studio album titled 'So Let It Be Done' on Divebomb Records who had the following to say about the recording: "We've all waited a very long time to hear this album finished. After four long years, logistical nightmares, scheduling conflicts, and even a pandemic, we are very happy to present you with our newest album - SO LET IT BE DONE!...Volume up!" 'So Let It Be Done' was released on digital formats in late 2021 and then released on physical CD's in early 2022.
On my initial listen of 'So Let It Be Done', I thought this was just another remaster/reissue of the band's original tracks with 4 additional previously unrelease tracks. However, that is not the case here! After having contacted the band they helped set the record straight: "None of the songs were from any archive. All of the songs were newly recorded. Only three songs from the the first album were re-recorded completely. The only difference as far as the music on those three songs was on "Day After Day" in which the music was changed during the second half of each verse to give it more depth. But all instruments and vocals were all redone. The other older songs were ones that had never been recorded and we wanted to make sure they got on the new album. There are 4-tracks that you might not recognize 1.Re-Awakening, 2.So Let It Be Done, 4.Tomb of Wrath, and 8.Into the Fire which are all newly written songs for this album. We are going to start recording another album at some point which we are working on the music for that at this time. We are all in our 50’s now and it was important for the music to be brought up to date, letting everyone hear how we are now as musicians which is why even the older songs were completely redone. It was also important for everyone to hear my vocals as they are now which is more mature at my age and everyone feels more rich in its tone." - Tripp Andrews -
With this latest recording, the band was able to achieve what they set out to accomplish with the the album’s production & recording sounding as though it could have been produced back in the early 90's yet relevant today with a modern day edge to it.
The track-list for 'So Let It Be Done' includes 1.Re-Awakening (Previously unreleased/Newly done) 2.So Let It Be Done (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 3.The Key (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone) 4.Tomb of Wrath (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 5.Wisdom's Call (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 6.Day After Day (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone) 7.The Edge of Sadness (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 8.Into the Fire (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 9.Just a Memory (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 10.Blood in the Sand (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 11.Whisper to Scream (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 12.The Hallowed Hymn (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone).
On my initial listen of 'So Let It Be Done', I thought this was just another remaster/reissue of the band's original tracks with 4 additional previously unrelease tracks. However, that is not the case here! After having contacted the band they helped set the record straight: "None of the songs were from any archive. All of the songs were newly recorded. Only three songs from the the first album were re-recorded completely. The only difference as far as the music on those three songs was on "Day After Day" in which the music was changed during the second half of each verse to give it more depth. But all instruments and vocals were all redone. The other older songs were ones that had never been recorded and we wanted to make sure they got on the new album. There are 4-tracks that you might not recognize 1.Re-Awakening, 2.So Let It Be Done, 4.Tomb of Wrath, and 8.Into the Fire which are all newly written songs for this album. We are going to start recording another album at some point which we are working on the music for that at this time. We are all in our 50’s now and it was important for the music to be brought up to date, letting everyone hear how we are now as musicians which is why even the older songs were completely redone. It was also important for everyone to hear my vocals as they are now which is more mature at my age and everyone feels more rich in its tone." - Tripp Andrews -
With this latest recording, the band was able to achieve what they set out to accomplish with the the album’s production & recording sounding as though it could have been produced back in the early 90's yet relevant today with a modern day edge to it.
The track-list for 'So Let It Be Done' includes 1.Re-Awakening (Previously unreleased/Newly done) 2.So Let It Be Done (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 3.The Key (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone) 4.Tomb of Wrath (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 5.Wisdom's Call (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 6.Day After Day (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone) 7.The Edge of Sadness (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 8.Into the Fire (Previously unreleased/Newly redone) 9.Just a Memory (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 10.Blood in the Sand (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 11.Whisper to Scream (Previously released in 2016/Newly redone) 12.The Hallowed Hymn (Previously released in 1991/Newly redone).
Some bands that have influenced frontman-Tripp Andrews throughout the years include drummer-Neil Peart(Rush), drummer-Alex Van Halen, and drummer-Igor Cavalera(Sepultura). Lead vocalist-Tripp Andrews
hasn’t lost a thing over the years and in fact sounds just as good as he did on the band's original debut. "Day after Day" is one song I would have thought that he would not have attempted re-vocalizing for this album's track-list with its Michael Sweet like high vocal ranges. However, Andrews did not shy away from the challenge and what we discover is that he was able to easily hit those high notes just like the days of old!
hasn’t lost a thing over the years and in fact sounds just as good as he did on the band's original debut. "Day after Day" is one song I would have thought that he would not have attempted re-vocalizing for this album's track-list with its Michael Sweet like high vocal ranges. However, Andrews did not shy away from the challenge and what we discover is that he was able to easily hit those high notes just like the days of old!
Some bands that have influenced guitarist-Gary Wilson include Randy Rhoads(Quiet Riot), Van Halen, Deep Purple, Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater. If you enjoy solid 80's era guitar licks then you are going to love what Gary Wilson brings to the table on this project! From track to track Gary shows his prowess with the six strings as he lights things up with plenty of memorial guitar solos.
When it comes to their lyrics the band had the following to say:
"While we recognize that none of us are perfect—quite flawed, actually—we are still men of faith.
We wanted to put something out to give the world hope.
Hope can be a very powerful thing when you're surrounded by darkness…"
"While we recognize that none of us are perfect—quite flawed, actually—we are still men of faith.
We wanted to put something out to give the world hope.
Hope can be a very powerful thing when you're surrounded by darkness…"
"Day After Day"
Daylight
You awaken
With a feeling of regret
Wanting to relive your life - yeah
No need to dwell on the things done
In your past
New life begins right now, today
"The Key"
I've got the key
I've got the key to unlock the door
Knock us down
But we'll come back strong
We have faith as our shield
There's strength in numbers
We can't go wrong
He's the key: Believers
Have no fear
Lord, we ask that you keep us strong
In our times of need
Give us strength to fight him off
Give us eyes to see
Keep us humble, give us faith
In our times of doubt
Let us look him in the eye
Give us the voice to shout, "No"
"The Hallowed Hymn"
The sky darkens suddenly - But do you know why
The word spells it clearl - So seek and ye shall find
Don't listen to the Evil One - Or the wrath that has settled in
Listen to the Righteous One - Accept the life He has given
The Saviour speaks right through me now
To the King I humbly bow
Yeah, people listen to my song
And heed every word I say
Accept the One who died for you
And forever Praise His name
"Tomb Of Wrath"
Now the tomb of wrath
Is just an empty grave
An everlasting life is your
If you will just believe
The Name!
Above all names
The Name!
Above all names
The Name!
Above all names
Daylight
You awaken
With a feeling of regret
Wanting to relive your life - yeah
No need to dwell on the things done
In your past
New life begins right now, today
"The Key"
I've got the key
I've got the key to unlock the door
Knock us down
But we'll come back strong
We have faith as our shield
There's strength in numbers
We can't go wrong
He's the key: Believers
Have no fear
Lord, we ask that you keep us strong
In our times of need
Give us strength to fight him off
Give us eyes to see
Keep us humble, give us faith
In our times of doubt
Let us look him in the eye
Give us the voice to shout, "No"
"The Hallowed Hymn"
The sky darkens suddenly - But do you know why
The word spells it clearl - So seek and ye shall find
Don't listen to the Evil One - Or the wrath that has settled in
Listen to the Righteous One - Accept the life He has given
The Saviour speaks right through me now
To the King I humbly bow
Yeah, people listen to my song
And heed every word I say
Accept the One who died for you
And forever Praise His name
"Tomb Of Wrath"
Now the tomb of wrath
Is just an empty grave
An everlasting life is your
If you will just believe
The Name!
Above all names
The Name!
Above all names
The Name!
Above all names
Thee Final Chaptre is for fans of Queensrÿche, Recon, Stryper, Sacred Warrior, and Iron Maiden. If you are looking for some new music on the lines of said bands then you are going to love what the band has delivered up with their 2022 album 'So Let It Be Done'. Help support the band and Metal music by picking up your copy of
'So Let It Be Done' today!
'So Let It Be Done' today!
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Tripp Andrews - Vocals
Gary Michael Wilson - Guitars
Paul Starnes - Bass
David Osbourn - Drums
Tripp Andrews - Vocals
Gary Michael Wilson - Guitars
Paul Starnes - Bass
David Osbourn - Drums