Lordchain
ArtistL Lordchain
Label: Corduroy Boy Productions 1997
Time: 54:34 - 13 tracks
 
You know, when you start looking, you can find a lot of really good indie bands out there.  Here's another one for your edification: Lordchain.  They put out some blistering music and this self-titled release is an excellent first effort.
 
Lordchain is Rikk Koeshal singing; Jeff Grady on guitars; Chris Brown singing backup and playing guitars; David Fain playing bass and singing backup; and Kelly Matthews drumming, singing backup, and "growling,"-- there are some good growls here.  Don't take that the wrong way, this isn't death metal.  
 
Trying to describe Lordchain's music is a bit hard to do.  There is something here for a lot of different musical tastes. Let's see if I can run some of this down.  There are dirty, fuzzy, grungy guitars; metal licks galore; wrenching minor key vocal harmonies; heavy double bass drum lines; arena rock; driving thumping bass lines; slow sorrowful vocals; heavy distortion guitars; slow groove rhythms; screaming vocals; blues riffs; growling vocals; and just a touch of glam metal.  It reminds me of that spaghetti sauce; "It's in there."  If you like Tourniquet, King's X, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, House of Lords, Waterstain, Iron Maiden, and/or Jesus Freaks you'll find it here.  This ain't your store bought spaghetti sauce either.  It's spicy and very, very meaty with extra meatballs on top. Technically, the music is superb.  The guitars are well played; the drum and bass lines are crisp and don't allow the timing to vary; and the vocals are dripping with emotion. 
 
Lyrically, Lordchain has some wonderful Christ centered lyrics.  They alternate between challenging, convicting, and uplifting.  There isn't a lot of hidden meaning in the lyrics--they tend to straight-ahead, hit you in the face messages--but they are well penned.  I like the darker stuff and Lordchain does conviction very well.  A prime example of this is "Kiss That Kills."  While not poetry, the words will convict even the hardest hearted: 
    It scares me when I think of the times I ripped your heart in two.
    I swore once that I'd never hurt you, but what's a man to do?
    It makes me wonder why,
    Just like Judas I hang my head and cry.
    'Cause I'm giving the kiss that kills.
    But do you love me still?
    I wonder why
    You always will.
    When I'm giving the kiss that kills.
The themes vary from our need for God, praying for help, forgiveness, and more.  A couple of my personal favorites are "Alani" and "Stones."  I'd like to know if there is a story behind "Alani."  I get the impression it's about the singer's regret at not having done more for a girl who died.  It is very moving.  "Stones" could be the closest thing to great lyrical  writing, and perhaps the best track.  Like "Kiss That Kills" it too is convicting.  The best way to give you a flavor of "Stones" is by giving you a taste of the lyrics: 
    You got your stones of passion, your stones of remorse
    This bag that you fashion just keeps getting worse and worse.
    You take the stones out of your bag and hurl them at the ones you love. 
    I pray that someday you give your stones to the God above.

    Drop your
    Drop your stones
    Before you're all alone.
    Drop your
    Drop your stones
    At the foot of the cross.

The production quality of this effort is definitely above par for the indie market.  The sounds are clean, the vocals aren't diluted or overwhelming, the drum and bass lines are solid and easily discernable, and the guitars are crisp or fuzzy as needed without sounding too harsh or mushy.
 
All in all, this is a fine piece of music.  If Lordchain can stand up over time in the indie market, they will be a successful.  They are too good not to be.

By Mark Aylor