Review Summary: How is this not in the Sputnikcharts???
I can't believe nobody has reviewed this yet and it's not in the Sputnikcharts. I added it to the database a while back, because the band wasn't even listed on Sputnik and I've been enjoying this particluar album a lot ever since.
Now it is Number 1 in sales at tradebit.com, top 10 on Amazon.com New Hard Rock Release Chart, Top 20 on Music Choice and just made it into Sentinel's Daily
Top 100 Albums of 2016.
I came across them by just browsing through new releases and I had never heard of them, apparently they have been around since 2007. Formed in late 2007 by guitarist and vocalist Patrick Kennison (Union Underground) and bass player Marty O'Brien (Disturbed, We Are thand biography. e Fallen), they released two albums, despite going through quite some member changes. The latest release features some of the bigger names in Rock and Metal like Lita Ford, Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth), Udo Dirkschneider (Accept, UDO), Kobra Paige (Kobra and the Lotus), and some others.
The whole album tells the story about Dr. Faust who makes a pact with the Devil, Dr. Faust's wife and a wounded soldier Corporal Todd Grant and Devilina. Dr. Faust wants to reunite with his dearly departed wife and the Devil has a deal for Dr. Faust to make that happen. Dr. Faust finds a gateway to the other side, the whole thing turns into a mind*** game as all involved try to outsmart one another as they start to realize nobody really is who they appear to be.
The story is based on the 16th century play by Christopher Marlow. I'll add the whole Synopsis at the end of the review if you want to read more about it. ***
On to the music, you will find everything here that a metalhead could ever want. From classic tones like Maiden/Priest into thrashier and heavier parts that resemble Megadeth/Metallica's golden days as the story carries on and grasps you into the struggles of Dr. Faust. It shines with excellent, catchy riffs and solid solos, which are not necessarily of high quality in most modern metal pieces, but on here they certainly are.
Due to it's story and complexity in music, this has to be listened to from start to finish, it's like an opera or in this sense like a movie, you don't start watching in the middle of it. And just like in a good movie as the story unfolds, the songs are placed perfectly. It starts off powerful, it has it's little moments to calm you back down, then back into full action to keep you glued to your seat, once you approach "Killing the Deadman" you will know exactly what I am talking about. It never gets boring at all and it finishes off with the beautiful ending as in musically speaking. This is to me one of the top releases of 2016. You feel like you just listened to something very special and you just want to do it again.
***
GOOD MORNING APOCALYPSE
When Dr. Faust’s wife dies, his world is torn upside down. An expert in astronomy and astrophysics, the intellectual giant is used to order and logic, not the dark cloud of death. So he throws himself into a new world, turning to séances and the dark arts in an attempt to get in touch with “the other side,” a desperate measure to reunite with his wife. His wife, a clean soul, is probably in heaven, so Dr. Faust throws himself at the task, trying to send himself to the world above.
A true genius, Dr. Faust succeeds with one of his many experiments. He partially crosses over the void, entering heaven briefly and succeeding where all others before have failed. His method is perfect. Even if the person is far from perfect, and filled with sin, he or she is able to enter this most holy of places.
But his success does not go unnoticed. The Devil himself realizes that Dr. Faust has achieved the nearly impossible task. Although he is not able to go to heaven himself since he would lose his throne, the Devil realizes the power of Dr. Faust’s discovery. The Devil tells Dr. Faust that he will be able to bring his wife back to life and reunite Dr. Faust and his wife.
But this agreement, like most others, requires a binding pact. The Devil would require Dr. Faust to send him pure souls from earth. The purest of souls. The Devil doesn’t tell Dr. Faust why, but the plan is brilliant. If the purest of souls are sent his direction, the purity of Heaven will be diluted. This dilution can tilt the power of the universe away from God and toward the Devil himself. Chaos would reign.
Dr. Faust comes up with a plan. Dr. Faust will inform the public that he, the genius scientist, has found a shortcut to the other side, allowing people to be reunited with their loved ones. The catch – the subjects must be clinically dead for a few minutes before being sent through the shortcut. It’s simple and tempting. Who wouldn’t want to visit with the departed, the fathers, mothers, grandparents or even friends that have passed on and to the otherworld?
Still a scientist at heart, Dr. Faust knows that he must find a test subject before moving forward with the plan. He visits a hospital where he finds the perfect mark. Corporal Todd Grant is a wounded soldier who remains in the hospital, never having any visitors. Dr. Faust learns that Todd has suffered the most painful experiences of any parent – his young son has passed away, leaving Todd a broken man. Dr. Faust shares of the loss of his wife, and the two quickly bond over their losses. Todd quickly agrees to be Dr. Faust’s test subject, passing into the void and meeting up with his son.
A desperate soul, Todd allows Dr. Faust to enable his passage. But when he crosses over, he is met not by his son but by the Nefarious Angels, the Devil’s guards at the pass. Brought back to life, Todd realizes what Dr. Faust has not – that Todd has upset the gatekeepers by attempting to cheat the system. This allows the Nefarious Angels to enter the subconscious and even conscious world. In other words, the Devil has cheated Dr. Faust. The Devil plans on using this passage not for good, but as a direct route to Hell!
Corporal Todd also realizes that Dr. Faust is not as benevolent as he has sold himself. Todd decides to break away and escape from the evil doctor. He goes on the run.
Dr. Faust is not one to give up easily. He hires an underground bounty hunter, Devilina, to chase after the wounded soldier after promising her entry into heaven. Devilina, who has led a less than exemplary life, quickly agrees. She finds Todd, but rather than bringing him back to Dr. Faust, Todd is able to convince her that Dr. Faust is an evil seed, not an innocent man. Devilina falls in love with Todd, and the two lovers head toward Dr. Faust’s laboratory intent on stopping him.
But when they break into the lab, chaos ensues. Dr. Faust and his minions are a formidable force, and Devilina sacrifices herself to save her lover, Todd. Unfortunately, Todd is knocked unconscious, the world turns black.
When he wakes up, he is in a hospital room, his arms and legs bound to the bed. He’s trapped.
Todd hears the voice of the evil Dr. Faust…
“Carrying out the will of man comes with a glorious burden. Don’t be fooled by the perils of history, for we are all God’s orphans.”
Todd realizes that the situation is not good as Dr. Faust continues speaking. “You cannot kill that which has already made you a dead man.”
