| CD REVIEW Faith Factor |
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Band : Faith Factor Okay…before I start unwinding my nerves about this band’s lyrical contents, let me first give you an unbiased history-of-the-band, eh? Previously known as the frontman of cult Classic Heavy Metal act Deadly Blessing (who released the albums Ascend From The Cauldron and An Eye To The Past, respectively on New Renaissance Records and Hellion Records in 1988), Norm “Ski” Kiersznowski made his return to the fore with Faith Factor in 2006. Along his side the twin guitar attack of Chris Matusieski and Blain Booth, brought on a steady rhythmic foundation taken care of by bassist Joe Mangham and drummer Dan Jefferson. The unit first brought a first 3-track (non of which made it onto the album) demo titled 07/07/07 (released that very date), which eventually got the band a 5-year deal with Retroactive Records. The band produces a dark and heavy kind of Classic (US) Power Metal/ Traditional Heavy Metal, with Ski frequently singing at the top of his voice to bring high end, almost Operatic, vocals (and the biography tells you to think of the likes of Lance King, Geoff Tate, Midnight, John Arch, Dio, and Bruce Dickinson in comparison). Also mentioned in the bio: “Fans of Recon, Iron Maiden, Crimson Glory, Iced Earth, Rob Rock, Forbidden, and Queensrÿche have every reason to raise their metal fists high into the air…” as “Epic, traditional, Heavy Metal is alive and well on Against A Darkened Sky…” which “…is a rarity in the Metal world. It’s a dark and weighty slab of traditional Heavy Metal, technical and progressive as reflected in the numerous time changes and the band’s frequent excursion into instrumental territory. Yet, the listener is drawn in by insanely catchy hooks at every turn…”! Pfffttt…load of bullocks! In reality, the sound of the guitars have been mixed in a way to best bring out those high-end vocals (which become rather boring in the end due to their one-sidedness…a small exception during the ballad “In Remembrance”,whereSkiuses a warmer voice, nót so much on that sometimes heady end of tonality), and through the somewhat “thrashing” sound it’s actually rather hard to recognize the otherwize…admittingly great…guitar duels for what they are (and believe me, I listened to the music in different ways: on the computer – far too shrill a sound –; on the surround stereo system – same observation -; and through headphones – too flàt a sound…and the only track coming through loud and clear in all int details, is the short but heavenly bombastic instrumental album opener “Evila Si Eh”). On top of which Ski can’t stop talking…rather say préaching…about The Faith which he’s apparently found since the late ‘80s…he even goes to the lengths of actually closing the album with a prayer, accompanied by acoustic guitar and some cello playing (or possibly orchestrated keyboards, of which you’ll find trace on a couple of other songs as well…credited to Matusieski). Holier than thou…join our Faith but first confess your sins and repent by prostrating on your knees before our fathers and ask for forgiveness…bla bla bla!!! Right…I have to say that normally I ain’t against the use of music to propagate religious beliefs at all…in fact, it is my belief that music brings people together, even if they are of different faiths (euhm…as long as they aren’t opposite or fanatic, of course!), but when you feel the need to take on the role of the “evangelistic angel”, the least yoou could do is take care of the quality of your instrument of evangelisation from start to finish! I’m sure a lot of music lovers of the Christian faith (well, at least those into heavier music) are gonna revel in the band’s heavieness on stage, and those already acqainted with the band will most probably easily be swayed into buying the album…but for those among us coming in contact with thís product…? I sincerely do not believe the album itself iis gonna win over a lot of souls onto the side of what the band’s members may call “The Only True Belief”! Quite frankly, I wonder why organisations like PMRC, etc, don’t pick up the chance to give albums like this the extra promotion by having a sticker stuck up on the cover stating something like “Warning! Explicit evangelistic lyrics”, and in smallprint underneath “May offend people not of the Christian faith!”…but then, I doubt whether the people behind such organisations indeed have the wits to justify such a free promotion. I dó believe sóme people in government would be on their back quickly enough though, as the US seems to me a “Country Of The Free” in name only anyway!!! Apparently I haven’t found a MySpace page for this band, but when you log onto their own site faithfactorband.com, you’ll find music playing automatically. Alternatively, you might also try the label’s site retroactiverecords.com. Sorry I cannot be a little more elaborate, but my head’s aching from all that high-end octave energy (say aggravation), and somehow I forgot (possibly sublimally) to write down the necessary details for you! Still, when it comes to rating this album, I want you to belief that any feelings of mine against the somewhat preaching tactics of this band were réally put in the back of my mind, and I concentrated on the music and vocals only. Since I’ve already stated that the two combined give me a throbbing head (in spite of the admirable underlaying technical play), what more can you expect than… 79/100 Tony. |