War of Ages "Eternal"-Review

War of Ages have just released

their new album called

"Eternal".

I'm a recently new War of Ages fan,

as I've just jumped on the band-wagon after hearing

their last album "Arise and Conquer".

"Arise and Conquer"

was a great album in my opinion,

in fact I loved it.

There are a lot of Christian Metal bands

out there,the problem is finding

GOOD Christian metal.

War of Ages appeals to me not only for their ability to shred,

but there lyrics are amazing, there not cheesy or too simplistic..

they're God affirming powerful hard hitting lyrics.

At least that was how I looked at "Arise and Conquer"

So the question is how does "Eternal" stack up?

this I hope to answer, but first things first..

War of Ages doesn't drastically change the metal/hardcore

scene with their music, it's hardcore...it's in your face

it's chugging guitars and screams, but again where

War of Ages really perks my ears up is in the lyrics.

Don't get it twisted either there are some killer

guitars and drums through out the album as well,

but I find I really get into the music when i'm reading

the lyrics along with the song(sorry I usually have to do that first,

as I don't always understand what is being "Screamed")

Some say War of Ages sounds like As I Lay Dying(another Christian

hardcore band) and that's probably because they have Tim Lambesis

(lead singer of AILD) producing them and he has since their last album.

Fair comparison I suppose, but if I was going to choose one band,

and one secular band at that, that they sound like...I would say

Hatebreed.

I tend to find that this album from War of Ages(Eternal)

is better then "Arise and Conquer", and while there isn't

a huge diversity between the sound or overall feel,

I think they have stepped it up lyrically and music wise.

I think I'm going to have to call 2010 the year of Hardcore..

because there is just stellar work and effort being put

out from every new metal album I've come across.

Starting off Eternal opens up with a song called

"Collapse" which is a song mixed with Clean vocals and

Leroy Hamps guttural and powerful screams.

Perfect opening song and the production is great...

We're filled with emptiness

Re-living our mistakes

Why are you so afraid

We never were alone

THROUGH THE BLOOD OF A SAVIOR

OUR DEATH SHALL SET US FREE!

Next is a song called "Desire" which also surprise surprise features

Tim from As I lay Dying as guest vocalist, need I say more?

I thought not..great song

AS YOU BOW IN HONOR

AND CHOKE ON YOUR WORDS!

The third song on the album is called "Failure"

again that style of mixing clean vocals and Hardcore

another quality song specially in the lyrics..

I HEAR YOUR CALLING

REVEAL YOUR HEART

WHEN PRIDE FADES

YOU NEED NO EXPLANATION

HERE'S MY HEART

AND I AM YOURS!

My Resting place Is the next song, the lyrics

are praise worthy by far. It's worship music

for the head-banger at heart...love it

I WILL LAY DOWN MY SOUL AT YOUR FEET

GOD I FEEL YOUR CALLING

HEALER YOU ARE MY HEALER

Next comes "Eternal" with none other then Sonny

from P.O.D doing guest vocals. This is one of the favorites

for me on the album, I love the whole raprock vocals

combined with Leroy and his guttural screams the

song is epic.

For what fills like a life time I stood my ground

I felt nothing could touch me until now

FALL, and then you watch me, FALL

The warrior inside me is crying out

Set your face like a flint and stand your ground

FALL, and then you watch me, FALL

This song is followed by maybe, just maybe my favorite

on the whole album(cant decide yet) the song is called

"Indecision" I love the opening to this song and the guitars

through-out it. For sure Branon and Steve shine in this song..

Lack of Clarity follows and brings a different tone guitar wise

to the album more flashy/guitar solo-y (yes I said Solo-y)

Josh Gilbert(also from As I lay Dying) appears in this

song throwing out the clean vocals. Another

favorite song on the album for me as-well.

Next Comes "The Fallen" Which has it's moments

but is the weakest song on the album, nothing

else really needs to be said.

The final song is called "Your Betrayal"

a pretty sort album with nine songs and one instrumental,

which by the way the instrumental isn't bad if your into that.

Anyways "Your Betrayal" is a great send off to the album,

I think War of Ages really found something with "Arise and Conquer"

and with "Eternal" they hung on that same concept to a point,

but I feel they really have only gotten better with this release.

Great album, and a must BUY if you are into Hardcore/Metal