Eternal

Personnel: Leroy Hamp (vocals); Steve Brown , Branon Bernatowicz (guitar); Alex Hamp (drums).
Recording information: Lambesis Studios, San Marcos, CA; Signature Sound.
Eternal, the fourth album by Pennsylvania's Christian metalcore band War of Ages, is a return to form, yet a huge musical step forward. Using their trademark in-the-red sonic attack, the group's song constructions are ever more intricate and knotty while never losing their elemental, bone-shattering power. A listen to the title track with P.O.D.s Sonny Sandoval on guest vocals is a case in point: the stellar twin guitars of Branon Bernatowicz and Steve Brown lay out a pair of melodic, overdriven riffs in quick cadences and counterpoint, while drummer Alex Hamp double-times and blastbeats the melody. As both Sandoval and Leroy Hamp alternate between sung and growled vocals, the lyric asserts itself as both song and chant. Another standout is the opener "Collapse," with its moody beginning and thundering main body. Unlike their previous offerings, Hamp is unafraid to use his actual singing voice to contrast with his rather unsettling metallic growl. The band once again worked with Daniel Castleman and Tim Lambesis at Lambesis Studios, but this time out, produced themselves. Lambesis -- a member of As I Lay Dying -- also provides guest vocals on "Desire," as does his bandmate, Josh Gilbert, on "Lack of Clarity." In sum, War of Ages' overt Christian message of hope entwined with its barely-in-control metallic assault make this band's sound attractive to those outside the faith as well as within it. Their now distinct meld of hardcore and death metal make them a band whose individuals and message happen to espouse a Christian worldview rather than as one that may only appeal to Christian audiences. Ultimately, Eternal is the sound of a group coming into its own the old-fashioned way, they slowly developed over through three previous offerings and finally deliver the big one here. ~ Thom Jurek.