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Artist: Titanic
http://www.theseventhpower.com/
Label: Retroactive Records
Time: 12 tracks/40:55 min
Titanic’s latest release, Full Steam Ahead, starts with the sound of a steam engine going off. A train? No, the cover art shows it to be a steam powered ship. Then the music comes blistering in with the stellar “Shovel the Coal.” The backbreaking beat is matched by back-braking lyrics. The song compares the arduous journey of our life to the grueling work of shoveling coal in the depths of the ship, just to keep it moving. Full steam ahead, indeed.
“Dead Mens Bones” follows, and the listener readily notes that this is a Christian release with bold lyrics. It intones that “God be praised. He was and is the One who is to come.” These bold proclamations are continued throughout the recording: “take off you shoes, you stand on holy ground” (Holy Ground), “He died upon the cross. Forgiveness of sins He gives to everyone who turns” (Upon the Cross), and “find the knowledge oof God Almighty” (Wisdom). Interspersed are songs with allusions to our spiritual journey as that trek across the great ocean mentioned in the opening tune.
Bill Menchen’s guitar work is superb (he does everything except Drums and Singing) is solid & well-recorded. There is a strong crunch to the electric guitar & enough low-end on the Bass to feel the rumble. Additionally, drummer David White adds a solid foundation & enough creative flourishes to distinguish himself. Vocalist David St. Andrew has a classic metal voice. Like Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, St. Andrew has a baritone range with a strong melodic sense & just enough of a rough edge.
There are two bonus tracks added to the end of the recording. They are re-recordings of “Nightmare” and “Come Home.” Both have been re-recorded & utilize the drummer from the original recordings; Robert Sweet (Stryper). While sonically an upgrade, the real excitement to be found on the CD is in the 10 new tracks.
The band has a strong '80’s-metal sound, but deliver a sonic upgrade that removes any dated sound. Fans of Metal and Hard-Rock will find much to applaud on this journey.
By Jonathan Nelson
7-29-07
