Sardonyx - "Sons of the Kingdom"

Sardonyx - Sons of the Kingdom
2018, Lightshine Music Group

1. Sons of the Kingdom
2. Children of the King
3. Greater Things
4. All That We Are
5. Power and Love
6. Perfected
7. Awake
8. My Bride Beloved
9. Angel Armies

Sardonyx is back again. I always hoped they'd follow up Linear Progression but gave up after years and years went by. Yet, here they are! I've always like Sardonyx because throughout the years they've really stuck to their guns as a "ministry band." They make no bones about this and they pull no punches with their message. Anyway, unlike Linear Progression there is no nu-metal influences here. This is pure progressive/power metal. It fits nicely right after Majestic Serenity in terms of style but the production is way better this time around. If you like Sardonyx, then Sons of the Kingdom will satisfy you. It doesn't really reinvent the wheel but the instrumentation is excellent and Tom sounds as good as he ever has. "Awake" is probably my favorite track because it's basically a psalm set to music. And I mean "psalm" in the sense that it starts out soul-crushingly depressing but ends with worship. The lyrics are also extremely bold and preachy. As a Christian this doesn't bother me at all, though at times I think they're more concerned with a lyric lining up with four or five Scriptures than it making sense. Sons of the Kingdom is definitely worthy of the Sardonyx legacy and I hope it won't be another twelve or so years for the next one.

Useless Fact: "My Bride Beloved" features some female vocals from Kristen Anselmo-Hertzog. I've never heard of her before but she does a great job.

Sardonyx - "Linear Progression"

Sardonyx - Linear Progression

2005, Lightshine

1. Sing to the Lord

2. Master and My King

3. I'm Free

4. Power Unto You

It's been a loooooong time. A long time. And all we get is a four song EP?! Man! I guess beggars can't be choosers. Still... it's good to hear some new music from these guys. The second and third tracks are a little bit lighter in style than the power metal of Majestic Serenity but it's not a sell-out or anything. "Power Unto You" is a good old power metal tune just like the band was doing ten years ago. Now for my complaints... I like "Sing to the Lord" I really do but the opening riff is a direct ripoff of Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness." I mean... I was expecting David Draimen to pop in and do his "Oooh ah-ah-ah-ah" in the beginning. Also, in "I'm Free" there's a little voice over that is a little cheesy and I think it hurts the song. If by that third song the listener isn't aware why the band made the CD then no voice over is going to help them. Though even with my little nitpicky complaints, it's still great to get some new stuff. Hopefully we won't have to wait another decade or so for the next one!

Useless Fact: The band also released this one independently. They call the sound "worship metal."

Sardonyx - "Majestic Serenity"

Sardonyx - Majestic Serenity
1992/2007, Retroactive

1. Puppet of Beauty
2. Paracletos
3. Corridor To Light
4. Short But Suite: Opus in B Flat
5. Royal Honor
6. Heavenly Throne
7. Ft. Drum
8. Holy Avenger
9. Call Upon the Master
10. Voice of the Prodigal
11. Liar
Bonus Tracks:
12. Scandal
13. Don't Chase the Rainbow
14. Bloodshed
15. Rebel of Reason

The first encounter I had with Sardonyx was when they opened for Whitecross at some school in Pennsylvania. I was impressed because they were pretty heavy and had a nice crunch to their guitars. I signed up for their newsletter and got their demo Rebel of Reason. I wore that tape out! These guys are pretty awesome. When Majestic Serenity finally came out I made sure our local Christian bookstore ordered some so I could get it. It did not disappoint. "Corridor to Light" is an amazing metal journey into the afterlife and "Royal Honor" is a cool metal worship song. I also like "Holy Avenger" and Sardonyx's answer to Metallica's "Fade to Black" called "Call Upon the Master." Granted the latter song's slow verse/heavy chorus is a little derivative but I still like it. I have the Retroactive version that's been remastered but I can't really tell the difference between this one and the old one. The cover is way better though. It's also nice to have Rebel of Reason on CD though it seems like it was pulled off a worn tape. The sound suffers on "Scandal" and "Rebel of Reason." If you haven't ever had a chance to hear these guys, now is the time to check 'em out.

One thing I really respect about these guys is their stance on ministry. They are a ministry band. Period. They weren't a bunch of guys who couldn't cut it in the secular realm, they weren't interested in becoming Christian rock stars, they just wanted to do ministry. I also liked that they bucked convention by not signing to a major label.

Useless Fact: Sardonyx funded the recording of this album themselves specifically so that when it was paid off they would be able to give it away free as a ministry resource. I think that's pretty cool.