{"id":5632,"date":"2020-11-30T04:00:58","date_gmt":"2020-11-30T04:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=5632"},"modified":"2020-12-17T03:38:03","modified_gmt":"2020-12-17T03:38:03","slug":"the-waymaker-the-waymaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/30\/the-waymaker-the-waymaker\/","title":{"rendered":"THE WAYMAKER: The Waymaker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Make Way for The Waymaker <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Amaranthe<\/strong>, Epica<\/strong> and, of course, Divinefire<\/strong> and Narnia<\/strong> are a few of the bands which come to mind as I listen to the debut album (yes, I am listening to the vinyl record) from The Waymaker, Sweden\u2019s newest collaboration of these Christian melodic power metal veterans. I\u2019ve been absent from the scene for the better part of the last 9 months as Covid-19 rages on, and so somehow missed this when it was newly released. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Waymaker <\/strong>represents a collaboration of Christian Liljegren (vocals), Jani Stefanovic (just about everything else but drums) and Jani\u2019s wife Katja on vocals. While Christian and Jani are certainly no strangers to each other (released 5 albums between 2004-2011 under the moniker of Divinefire), the addition of Katja on vocals sends the music into a new dimension (did I just say that?) \u2013 one which the band claims is a more modern melodic metal appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listeners will decide for themselves if the music here is revolutionary, but I choose to focus more on the quality of the musical output. There is no disputing the integrity of the lyrical output and the consistent message these guys have been declaring for over 20 years \u2013 Jesus Christ is Lord, the giver of hope and life \u2026 the Waymaker! So the question becomes, how are they delivering the message differently from a musical standpoint?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Best of Two Bands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are a fan of Narnia or Divinefire, the best way to describe this would be a great combination of the two bands \u2013 less symphonic, death-y and aggressive as Divinefire, but punchier and edgier than Narnia. While Jani\u2019s vocals are present, the growls are quite less prevalent and more subdued. Christian gives his usual stellar melodic performance and the addition of Katja\u2019s ethereal voice is a definite enhancement \u2013 her vocals a significant part of the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Alfred Fridhagen\u2019s drum performance is noteworthy \u2013 a perfect mix of speed and rhythmic punch. C.J. Grimmark (Narnia) guests with a guitar solo on the Stryper cover of \u201cSoldiers Under Command.\u201d Expect the greatest quality sound and mix as Jani Stefanovic knows how to make metal sound massive. One criticism of Divinefire releases were that the music, at times, felt \u201cover-produced\u201d and too densely compacted with instrumentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, The Waymaker sound is powerful, clean and remains accessible with little to no over-indulgent \u201cwall of sound\u201d aggression. It is a great progression of sound for these guys. The mastering is courtesy Thomas \u201cPlec\u201d Johansson, so expect an exceptional listening experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Songs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Side One<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The opening title track is a perfect balance of speedy power and crunchy riffs, and a nice mix of the 3 vocalists as well. Instead of powering through with the same double-bass drum propelled push, there is a nice contrast going on here between the heavy and melodic. This song in particular reminds me of another Swedish band, Scar Symmetry, only Waymaker have the Christ-centric message. Even though it\u2019s a shorter track, I feel this song best encapsulates what these guys are trying to put forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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