MILLENNIAL REIGN: World on Fire

Millennial Reign: World on Fire
Power Metal. What exactly is this genre? In the 80s (I’m an old dude) this was the realm of Iron
Maiden, Manowar, Helloween, and the like. When the video-game Guitar Hero introduced the
world to Dragonforce’s Through the Fire and the Flame, the genre shifted to speed speed and
more speed. So when trying to classify the latest from Millennial Reign, I hesitate to call it Power
Metal. It isn’t quite Progressive Metal either. There are some symphonic elements, but it doesn’t
quite rise to Nightwish symphonic bombast. So what is World on Fire? Let’s go on a limb and
call it Metal with a symphonic, progressive element – most of all, it is a tasty slab of
sophisticated musicianship that stretches into new territory for the band to explore.


2024 finds Millennial Reign with a new vocalist and a new drummer. It also finds them releasing one of the most adventurous albums in Christian metal. Instrumentally, it is flying in the rarified air of bands like Kamelot, Evergrey, and Free Fall. And with the addition of Tiffany Galchutt on vocals, they are able to venture into new dynamics and range.


There are 12 tracks on the platter, with two being short instrumentals, and the last track a cover
(we will address that later). These songs are epic in scope with a production that lets the
instruments breathe with the vocals cutting through, right up front.


And the vocals were a very pleasant surprise. When Millennial Reign announced they are
adding a female vocalist, I was expecting a more operatic approach like so many of their
counterparts. Nightwish was groundbreaking, but that style seems to be rather worn. Luckily,
Reign didn’t go in that direction and Tiffany Galchutt’s vocals, while having plenty of belting
power, have more of a modern pop sensibility. Emotional and clean, her voice is smooth and
restrained in many passages. So when she does belt, wow, it burns through the mix and makes
quite the impact.


The rest of the band also impresses with the new drummer, Pedro Cortes, further solidifying an
already sturdy rhythm section. Neil Bertrand, bass guitar, thumps in perfect sync with the
sophisticated and varied time signatures. Not satisfied with his bass hammering the time, he
also integrates his playing into the melodic tapestry of this release. Dave Harvey, guitar, serves
the song in the best way possible. His rhythm playing is tastefully crunchy and his leads are
smooth, fast, and sophisticated.


Dave Harvey also recorded, mixed, and mastered World on Fire. The care he shows for every
track, every instrument, every mix is evident. This album is an auditory treat – it passed my
Mustang stereo test with flying colors!


The last track came as an incredible revelation. Triumph’s “Allied Forces” has always been a
banger and hearing it covered here was a serious treat. The song has always been a Rik
Emmet (guitarist, Triumph) calling card and Dave Harvey nails this one to the wall. Thank you
so much for this, Millennial.

So is this album any good? Yeah, it is. It is seriously good. If you are a fan of Kamelot, Iron
Maiden, Evergrey, Within Temptation, etc. – you will adore this record.


https://youtu.be/FZMoM74Fvgk?si=9WsSLp2lUAhwV770

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