House Of Lords feels more and more like James Christian’ solo project. Sure, guitarist and co-writer Jimi Bell (now also in Autograph) has been Christian’s right hand since World Upside Down (2006) and so has drummer BJ Zampa but the other members has always felt kind of anonymous. Maybe it’s just me. Be that as it may, ever since the new-start in 2006, House Of Lords have been Christian’s band and the music is always of high quality. For the new album, Zampa jumped ship and was replaced by Swedish drummer Johan Koleberg (Randy Piper’s Animal, Zan Clan, Hammerfall, Therion, Wolf) and keyboard player, pomp-master Mark Mangold (Touch, Drive She Said) has also joined the band. Christian himself holds bass-duties after Chris Tistram’s departure.
I really dug the last album New World New Eyes (2020) but I’m also aware that it did get some mixed reviews but then again so does most new albums by old bands. This is the band’s 13th record and the only time I have gotten really disappointed by a House Of Lords release was the mediocre reunion album Power And The Myth (2004). I’m not gonna say that the rest of their albums are all killer but most of them are. That means that every album comes with big expectations and I crave a lot when it comes to a new House Of Lords album.
The title-track and the second single opens the album and it’s no doubt which band we’re listening to. It’s an upbeat AOR meets Melodic Rock stomper very much in the vein of the later HoL albums. The guitars and keyboards are entwined into one fat riff on a steady and direct rhythm and a very strong main-melody. A pomp-laden keyboard solo that harkens back to the early days comes in and gives a slight 70’s touch. The vocal melodies are really catchy and hooky and the chorus is a real treat with shitloads of hit-potential. It’s a marvelous track that hits home right off the bat.
Lead-off single “House Of The Lord” opens with a grandiose, vintage sounding and pompous keyboard intro before a raunchy, fat guitar riff kicks the song into motion. The big keyboards holds a prominent role in the song, especially the solo which shows off Mangold’s influence from old prog-players like Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. The infectious melodies however comes directly from Christian’s back-pocket of mid 80’s Melodic Rock and the chorus is just magnificent with an endless stream of hooks. Awesome! “Take It All” is slower in pace with a straight ahead yet held-back verse. It stands on the threshold to a ballad, there’s piano and organ, catchy guitar-lines and a huge 80’s chorus reminiscent of Christian’s first solo album Rude Awakening (1994). Terrific.
Then there’s “Road Warrior” that holds a couple of different faces. It’s an upbeat rocker for sure and comes with a edgy guitar and a chugging rhythm but Mangold’s keyboards is all over the place too – and I mean that as a good thing. His organ gives the tune a 70’s, Deep Purple twist, like a homage to Jon Lord and the Classic Rock vibes marries brilliantly with the 80’s AOR-laden melodies and the chorus hook is nothing short of splendid. Latest single “Mistress Of The Dark” starts out with an eerie keyboard intro but continues with a heavy beat and a darkening atmosphere. It’s a slow-burner, almost a ballad, but tough with a crunchy guitar sound and an edgy organ. With seven minutes it’s the album’s longest song with dreamy nuances, voluptuous vocal melodies and a conspicuous refrain. Great stuff.
The low-key and slow ballad “Avalanche” is a mellow and melancholic one, stripped down with only a piano and vocals with a back-up keyboard that creates an atmosphere for the first half of the song. Very calming and soothing. When the band comes in the track turns bombastic with a slightly orchestrated soundscape. The melodies are captivating and strong and the chorus gets right under my skin. Very good. “Roll Like Thunder” is the opposite to its predecessor. It’s a heavy and punchy melodic Hard Rock belter that riffs away with a kicking guitar and a thumping rhythm section. It’s vigorous and gritty yet melodic and anthemic with an in-your-face chorus that could kick any festival crowd in the ass. Damn good.
“Razzle Dazzle” is a heavier and edgier affair that takes the band into a 70’s Classic Rock groove and holds both pomp-fueled keyboards and a Deep Purple esque organ. It’s a glistening rocker with an enormous live-feel that fronts some raucous and gritty guitars, a punchy rhythm-section and in-your-face vocal melodies. The chorus is a kicker that’s catchy without being hit-searching. Very good. “Dreamin’ It All” continues the path the previous song was on. It’s an adrenalizing and raw tune with a darker tone with tough riffs and straight ahead melodies that will work like a charm live. On top we get a stadium sized chorus that’s unescapable. Good one.
“Takin’ My Heart Back” slows the tempo down a notch and has the band throwing a wink back to HoL’s early days. It continues the previous two tracks edge and crisp with intense and fat riffage, big keyboards and ballsy rhythms but this one’s a bit more Melodic Rock laden with hooky melodies and a spot-on chorus that sticks from go. Very good. And speaking of HoL feeling a bit like a Christian solo thing, the closing track “Angels Fallen” contains only Christian from the band, the rest being studio musicians. It’s a slower track with a large soundscape, quite bombastic. Chunky guitars and direct melodies are carried by a steady and tight rhythm with smooth keyboards and quite slick melodies with a catchy refrain. A solid, stellar tune.
Except for the three first albums, Come To My Kingdom (2008) is my favorite HoL album. That was followed by three good albums of which none of them reached the same highs. That said, I love the last two records but this one, I must say is the band’s finest moment since CTMK. With Mangold in the band the keyboards has gotten a more front-row seat in the music but it never gets cheesy or glossy, Mangold brings more pomp and crunch instead. The overall sound is pretty much the way we’re used to albeit this record comes with a crunchier, more Classic Rock vibes and 70’s influences which brings a good contrast to the 80’s flirting melodies and chorus-hooks. But most importantly, there’s not a weak song in sight here. A solid release indeed.
8/10
More House Of Lords reviews:
Big Money
Precious Metal
Indestructible
Saint Of The Lost Souls
New World – New Eyes
Tracklist:
1. Saints And Sinners
2. House Of The Lord
3. Take It All
4. Road Warrior
5. Mistress Of The Dark
6. Avalanche
7. Roll Like Thunder
8. Razzle Dazzle
9. Dreamin’ It All
10. Takin’ My Heart Back
11. Angels Fallen
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