I recently listened to another fantastic female-fronted, melodic metal band. This time it was Millennial Reign. They will release their new album, World on Fire on June 14th, on Sweden’s Ulterium Records.
Millennial Reign is new to me, but they have released four albums already, including: 2021: Carry the Fire Again EP (Independent); 2018: The Great Divide (Ulterium Records); 2015: Carry The Fire (Ulterium Records); 2012: Millennial Reign (Independent).
Their sound is dynamic, well-produced and executed. Every note is worth your attention. The lyrics are simply some of the best I’ve heard this year. Uplifting and fulfilling lyrics which lead us in a different direction, than the majority of negative and melancholic lyrics we have all heard, over the years. Their signing with Ulterium Records, brings them together with other well-known power metal bands like: Theocracy, Signum Regis, Innerwish, Harmony and Darkwater.
The band’s press release informs, “Millennial Reign made their second appearance in Mexico and Europe, plus toured with Stryper on their, “To Hell With The Devil”, 30th Anniversary tour. They’ve also supported international acts such as Accept, Delain, Joe Lynn Turner, Sonata Arctica, Leave’s Eyes, Omnium Gatherum, Visions of Atlantis and Hammerfall”.
Millennial Reign is made up of Tiffany Galchutt, on lead vocals; Dave Harvey, (band founder and lead guitarist); Neil Bertrand, on bass; and Pedro Cortes, on drums. In addition; from their press release, “After completing their previous album The Great Divide, plus all show and festival commitments, Travis Wills, (Crimson Glory, Infidel Rising), stepped down as fill in vocalist for the band. The band found their new full time vocalist in Tiffany Galchutt, a fantastic female vocalist with an impressive range and tons of experience from performing with bands around the Dallas, Texas area. Pedro Cortes also stepped in as the band’s new drummer”.
World on Fire, was recorded, mixed and mastered by Dave Harvey at The Upper Room Studio and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund, (Battle Beast, Apocalyptica, Delain).
If you like bands like Theocracy, Neal Morse, Triumph, and Stryper, get prepared for great lyrics and moving music. I have been a fan of Triumph since childhood, and was so happy to see this band embraces their music and even covered “Allied Forces”. Maybe someday they will cover “Fight the Good Fight”, as well. (Here’s hoping).
This album is one of the best Christian – based metal/progressive albums I’ve heard since Theocracy’s Mirror of Souls.
All of the songs are mighty in sound and delivery, but I really enjoyed and can’t wait for a possible video for the song, “Wandering”. This song has a Middle-eastern vibe that will take some of you back, to the feeling of Zeppelin’s “Kashmir”. “Wandering” has the most powerful and inspiring lyrics, on an album full of the same. Wandering, is by far, the best song on the album; with my favorite lyrics and music. I kept playing this song over and over and would love to see it performed live someday. I will do everything I can to help convince them to release a video for the song. (They hinted as much, on Facebook, when I commented). Maybe we’ll have an interview to confirm that? We’ll see.
After the warm and surrounding Middle-eastern opening to “Wandering”, the band executes its own awesome melodic metal opening, full of stringed orchestration, power metal lead electric guitar and drums; before Tiffany Galchutt sings, “All my life I have wandered. All my days I’ve squandered. Now I can see. Heaven is smiling on me. Now I know that you are here with me. The old life is history. You are here with me. I sign my life to Christ the King!” Ok, this is already one of the best songs of the year! An absolutely spectacular song that I will definitely listen to repeatedly.
However, the rest of the album is also fantastic. The opening track, “Exousia”, is full of anthemic music, and it sets the stage and tone nicely for what is about to come. Great bass, keyboard rhythms, and electric guitar create an engaging instrumental, in honor of the Greek word for “the power or authority to occupy a position of superiority”.
“Bring Me to Life”, is the first single on the album. Yes, the title immediately reminded me of one of female metal’s most famous songs, Evanescence’s song with the same title. However, this song gets its inspiration from a different source. The supporting YouTube video, is a semi-live performance of the song by the band. A powerful lyrical song that avoids the emotional depth of Evanescence’s classic, but in no way is less direct and eternal. Tiffany Galchutt sings, “Bring me to life. Heal what’s broken. A new day open. Come make me whole. A new world open!”
“Trust”, has a similar opening and melody to Vision of Atlantis’ “Melancholy Angel”, but that is where the similarity ends. Tiffany Galchutt is singing about a deeper trust and life embrace, than some maligned guardian angel.
“Eternity”, has a bold, symphonic opening, before the metal guitars and drums take over. Tiffany Galchutt’s voice takes a warmer, softer path, singing, “Like the setting sun. Life will soon be done. When it comes, you’re time. What is it you will find? Where will you spend eternity?” Yes, immense lyrics and concepts to ponder. But it is never to early to consider these things. Especially to well hammered and blazing electric guitar soloing! I sense a little inspiration from one of my other favorite singers and composers, Steve Walsh; with the famous lines, “Only for a moment and the moment’s gone”, from “Dust in the Wind”. The lyrics from “Cheyenne Anthem”, also come to mind.
Having just explored the concept of eternity, now ponder the return of Jesus Christ. That is what “Parousia” means. “The idea that Jesus will return to judge everyone who has lived and died. It is usually called the “Second Coming”. Well, you need a powerful opening for something that noble, and world changing. And so Millennial Reign created an over 47 second instrumental that would welcome such a stirring and life-changing event.
“Cracking the Eastern Sky”, is the continuation of the return of Jesus, complete with choirs, lead electric guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and symphonic heaven! Overwhelming, to say the least. Tiffany Galchutt sings, “Riding a White Horse. Coming to rescue. Those who endured. Crack the Eastern Sky. Raise the dead to life!” Like a Kansas’ masterpiece bringing forth, almighty thunder. The second best song on the album for me. At the end, they even add, what sounds like “The Rapture” sequence, full of people screaming, “Where did they go?”
“World on Fire”, the title track, is another of the best songs on the album. It opens with delightful keyboards, which are quickly drowned out by powerful, raging electric guitars and drums. Tiffany Galchutt sings, “Coming home to find. Everything gone. My heart, my life is crushed in the gloom of despair. Hold on, be strong. I am by your side. I will be your help in times of trouble!” A powerful tribute, for those who believe. Like a perfect reminder and drift back to Triumph’s anthem, “Hold On”!
Millennial Reign’s cover of Triumph’s famous song, “Allied Forces”, is absolutely fantastic. The opening to the Millennial Reign version, is full of those spectacular whirling guitar riffs and drums. Tiffany Galchutt does a fantastic job of sounding like Rik Emmett. She has that Geddy-Lee like sound that Emmett so perfected. Thank you for including this cover with the album. I hope a cover of “Fight the Good Fight”, “Hold On”, or “Lay it on the Line”, will follow. Just a Game was one of my favorite high school graduation year albums; along with Breakfast in America and The Wall…
Millennial Reign’s World on Fire, is already one of my favorite metal albums of 2024. I hope to interview the band to get a full perspective on the album. But what I have learned so far, is enough for me to want to follow this band into the future. Excellent vocals, and one of the best electric metal guitarists out there. World on Fire is wonderful to listen to, especially because you don’t need a lyrics sheet to follow along with Tiffany. Tiffany Galchutt is now one of my favorite, female vocalists in metal. I want to hear so much more from this band. The lyrics and music are uplifting and give back, instead of always taking away. You feel like you have experienced an awakening or deeper flood of conscious, when you listen to this band. It is so much like the feeling I felt for Theocracy’s Mirror of Souls, Neal Morse’ earlier works, or of course Triumph and Kansas. This is an amazing album, whatever your beliefs. Please give this band and album a listen. Yes, by all means, let the Millennial Reign throughout the world of metal music!
Track List:
01. Exousia
02. Bring Me To Life
03. Wandering
04. Trust
05. We Follow On
06. Eternity
07. Parousia
08. Crack the Eastern Sky
09. Tongues of Fire
10. World on Fire
11. Onward to Victory
12. Allied Forces
Band Website and Social Media Links:
Band Website: http://www.millennialreign.com
Ulterium Records’ Website: www.ulterium-records.com
Band Email: info@ulterium-records.com
Band Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
https://www.bandmix.com/millennialreign
https://millennialreign.bandcamp.com/album/carry-the-fire-again
https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/band/Millennial_Reign
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPTyoWjCNBznmR0KW6W-Qg
https://twitter.com/official_mreign?lang=en