Category: news

On September 18, The Van Pelt will release their new album Remain Obscure on Ernest Jenning Record Co. (pre-order). Today the band is excited

Scandal Tree vocalist Huck has an unusual explanation for the inspiration behind the band’s new  single, Twenty-O-Six. He says the song began after what he describes as a semi-dream  conversation with a Detroit auto worker living in 1976.  “I think he is alive out there somewhere in time – not dead.” Huck explains, “He told […]

Enroll Crimson Glory in Vacation Bible School, and you get Sacred Warrior. Releasing a string of high-quality, God-honoring prog-power from ’88 to ’91, Sacred Warrior shredded and wailed in seriously glorious fashion on underground hits like Wicked Generation and Master’s Command¹, led by the guitar heroics of band leader Jonathan Johnson. But as dust returns to dust, the band burned out quickly, releasing one record in 2013 and, most recently, a single in 2019. However, these dry bones are back up and kicking. Sacred Warrior alumni Johnson, vocalist Erik Schilling, bassist Steve Watkins, and newcomer drummer Michael Feighan (Whitecross) have regrouped under the name Glory of Kings, brandishing their debut album Roots of the Past. Claiming to explore “history, identity, and the enduring influence of the past on the present,” can Glory of Kings reclaim the past glories of Sacred Warrior?

Roots of the Past reaches deep into classic prog metal, offering a solid grounding for Glory of Kings’ debut. Fans of the classic Sacred Warrior sound should find GoK a worthy successor, though they’ve toned down their idolatry of Crimson Glory in favor of a wider array of genre/era touchstones. Roots of the Past boasts a dramatic, yet muscle-bound approach to riffcraft akin to Savatage (“Fairy Tales”), while vocally these Kings took notes from Queensrÿche’s usual operations. It’s not hard to hear Schilling’s crooning on “Mindwar” or the title track and picture a less-washed Geoff Tate there. These Roots draw from slightly fresher influences as well. The calm plucking and grooves of “The Mystery” recalls the softer sides of Symphony X and Pain of Salvation, while the harmonic riffage and layered vocals of “See You in Paradise” evoke Brave New World-era Iron Maiden. None of this is cutting edge, but Roots of the Past shows signs of life in Glory of Kings.²

Unfortunately, Roots of the Past is often a strained and low-energy exaltation. Though Johnson’s capacity for shredding remains untouched (“The Waiting Game,” “Foreshadows”), Roots’ lethargic and muddy compositions feel mechanical, especially in the back half. Songs like “Occam’s Razor” and “The Waiting Game” lack sharp hooks or compelling progressions, made worse by sluggish tempos. Roots’ pacing is also hamstrung by Glory of Kings’ insistence on interludes, interjecting bog-standard movie trailer scores (“Gathering Storm,” “Transcendence”) and “oriental” desert music (“Foreshadows”³) before they can string a couple good songs together and build some momentum. Worst of all, Schilling sounds strained and limited as a vocalist, his voice wavering on the longer phrases (“Mindwar”) and stretched on the higher ones (“The Waiting Game”). All this contributes to a feeling that Roots of the Past isn’t as catchy or exciting as it ought to be, and that Glory of Kings isn’t as potent here as they could be.

Now, the burning question: What kind of Christian metal is this? Is Glory of Kings preachy? Yes, very. Besides the title track, Roots of the Past doesn’t really broach history as much as topical, generic Evangelical talking points. Embracing the mystery of God (“The Mystery”), the promise of Heaven (“See You in Paradise”), the need for repentance now (“The Waiting Game”); Glory of Kings ain’t hiding it under a bush here. This isn’t inherently an issue. Bands like Theocracy and Wytch Hazel have achieved widespread acclaim and connection beyond the Christian world while remaining loud and proud in their faith.⁴ Where Glory of Kings’ lyrical bent becomes a problem is where they engage in tedious Us-vs-Them dynamics. “Mindwar” and “Fairy Tales” hint at it, but “Occam’s Razor” engages in whole-hog, Facebook-rant tirades against secular science as being willfully ignorant of their One Truth.⁵ If it wasn’t clear before, it’s obvious afterwards that Roots of the Past is more concerned with proselytizing than anything authentically artistic. I doubt its potential in speaking to anyone outside GoK’s worldview.⁶

There’s lots of prog-power worse than what Glory of Kings offer on Roots of the Past, but it’s hard to get excited about it whether you buy into Christianity or not. Sacred Warrior could get self-righteous and Bible-thumping too, but their music was vital and electrifying; Roots of the Past is not. Too much of it feels paint-by-the-numbers and tired to merit the sermonizing. If you’re dying for some new prog-power or for a new Sacred Warrior record, give it a listen, for sure. Glory of Kings can spin some metal miracles on occasion, but don’t expect a life-altering transformation from Roots of the Past. Or maybe do. “Mysterious Ways” and all that.

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Rating: Mixed
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps MP3
Label: Roxx Records
Websites: facebook.com/GloryOfKingsBand | gloryofkingsband.bandcamp.com
Releases Worldwide: August 14th, 2026⁷

The post Glory of Kings – Roots of the Past Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

The singer kicked off a monthslong residency at the venue on Wednesday night before a giddy crowd.

New Zealand based heavy outfit Haast Hunter have just unleashed their highly anticipated debut album Plastique. The album release also features a brand new music video for their track Chrysalis, directed by Colin Jeffs of Ten of Swords. Blending visceral riffs, cinematic production, and emotionally charged storytelling, the album marks a defining moment for the ferocious quartet, with the introduction […]

Today, the genre-defying instrumental rock innovators Polyphia announce their fifth full-length studio album Be Not Afraid out October 23 with Rise Records. With the news, the band also released their new single off the record Power In The Blood with an accompanying music video. Filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this video finds the band playing against the ornate, gold-leaf Baroque backdrops […]

Swedish metalcore visionaries Imminence continue to unveil the world of their anticipated sixth studio album, Axis Mundi, due October 2 via Sumerian Records, with the release of their powerful new single, If Not Now, When. Arriving alongside another stunning cinematic music video, the track expands the album’s ever-growing narrative while revealing yet another striking dimension of the band’s unmistakable sound. Built around gritty […]

When the guitarist had a problem with his stage equipment, he went the wrong way about telling his boss. Continue reading…

Thailand-based metalcore outfit Annalynn have shared their pummelling new single, Resurface, out now via Greyscale Records.  Guttural, thrashing and downright relentless, Resurface showcases Annalynn at their strongest, pairing a sonic onslaught with fleeting moments of melodic reprieve. Mixed and mastered by Lance Prenc (Alpha Wolf, Polaris, Void of Vision), Resurface is a scathing exploration of breaking free from control, confronting inner struggles and reclaiming one’s true self. […]

Metal For Nepal has launched an emergency fundraising appeal following a devastating flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border which has led to 332 deaths.

The severe flood that struck Nepal’s Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts on the morning of August 26 also displaced families and damaged infrastructure in the country: experts suspect the flood may have been triggered by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) originating in Tibet.

Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority have revealed that 910 people are still missing as a result of the flood, and remain uncontactable. This includes 517 foreign citizens, 44 members of the Nepal Army and 28 Nepal police officers. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Metal For Nepal is mobilising to support affected communities, as they did during the 2015 Nepal earthquake. The charity uniting the global music and art community is working with local NGO partners on the ground to deliver relief as quickly and effectively as possible, from emergency supplies and clean water to longer-term rebuilding support. While the response will prioritise the welfare of children – who are especially vulnerable in the days following a disaster like this – the relief efforts are intended to reach affected community members of all ages.

“We need to come together exactly like we did after the 2015 earthquake,” says Metal For Nepal director Flower KC. “The heavy metal and tattoo community has always shown up for people in need, and this moment is no different. Every donation goes straight toward getting families and children the support they need right now.”

Donations can be made here.

Donations of any size help Metal For Nepal and its local partners respond immediately, getting emergency support to families and children who have lost their homes.