Reign Of Glory: Slingshot | For the Glory of Metal
(2025 – Roxx Productions)
When talking about the evolution of metal, people almost always try to convince you with bizarre experiments or ideas that actually reduce the power of true heavy metal to its bare minimum. Thank God there are still people like the guys from Reign Of Glory, who set things straight and show us how to evolve with sound and produce a pure, traditional Heavy Metal album without having to water things down. Add to that a vocalist like Mark Boals, and the equation works on all fronts.
Reign Of Glory evokes the good old days of traditional metal with a modern sound, striking a balance between pure nostalgia and enough imagination to offer something original with their own brand, enhancing their proposal with different experienced musicians, as was already the case on their first album, “All Will Bow” from 2022.
Reign Of Glory takes things to a new level on “Slingshot,” and in just 10 tracks, the guys led by Nick Layton raise the stakes for traditional heavy metal with a truly superior and devastating sound. No, there are no sonic refinements or weird stuff. On “Slingshot,” we find solid compositions, good songs, lots of riffs and guitar solos, and yes, the voice of the great Mark Boals, who gives a superlative air to everything he sings.
There is a noticeable chemistry between the great musicians that make up Reign Of Glory on this occasion, with the well-known Mark Boals on vocals, Nick Layton on guitar, Jeffrey McCormack on drums, and Roger Dale Martin on bass. A great combo for a great album.
Even so, “Slingshot” is a varied album in terms of its compositions and never gets boring. Its first track, “Hold On,” is a pure heavy metal firecracker with lots of melody and riffs in its construction, but with “Higher Ground,” we have a mid-tempo piece with a more hard rock feel.
“Unholy Prophet” bears the mark of 80s metal, and that same line continues in “Slingshot Of Faith.” Lots of riffs, lots of melody, and a clear roots in a classic sound. As with “Shout,” things are more than clear for Reign Of Glory.
In “More Than A Memory,” a pure guitar riff intro hides a great ballad, mid-tempo and with a solid foundation, which at times recalls the classic style that Stryper lost somewhere along the way. On the “Unashamed” side, we have another mid-tempo ballad with riffs original enough to give it a chance.
“Holy Holy Holy” is none other than the famous Christian hymn, masterfully rendered by Reign Of Glory. What can I say? That intro with Nick Layton’s incredible riffing plus Mark Boals’ perfect performance is one of the best things about “Slingshot,” without a doubt. But this album doesn’t end there. “Shattered Chains” is yet another ballad, made with feeling, fury, and passion. A tremendous piece. And the finale with “Too Close To Midnight” is another powerful delivery of strength, feeling, and metal.
Perhaps I am showing my preference for traditional metal, but the truth is that “Slingshot” has what it takes to be considered one of the great albums of the year. There are practically no flaws in its conception. Add to that the fact that the musical foundation is impeccable, with each of the musicians doing a great job. The guitars really blow your mind, Roger Dale Martin’s bass has the stamp of someone who knows how to play the four strings, McCormack’s percussion wreaks havoc with great depth and double bass drumming when necessary. And as for Mark Boals, what can I say? His vocal potential is incredible, and his contribution is clearly defining.
With “Slingshot,” Reign Of Glory manages to make the melody and its powerful riffs a good excuse to return to the old days and listen to an album from start to finish, as the album has no rough patches. Its conception ensures that there are no ups and downs and that, ultimately, the sum of the parts makes up the whole. A great success for Reign Of Glory.
The lyrics of the songs are Christian in concept and mostly convey a positive message, without resorting to clichés or worn-out ideas. The songs are intelligent enough that anyone can identify with the issues raised. Regarding the sound achieved on this album, the great sonic power is truly impressive, especially considering that it is an independent production. “Slingshot” was recorded in the band’s own studios, produced/mixed by Nick Layton himself, and mastered by Rob Perez. The result is truly impressive. There is a depth and clarity in the sound work that allows each instrument’s performance to be clearly heard, which is a great achievement in itself.
As for the artwork, it is rather modest but maintains a metallic essence in the design of the cover. The inside shows not only the lyrics of the songs but also photographs of the members of Reign Of Glory, as well as a design that is in keeping with the concept of the album cover. We don’t want to miss the opportunity to mention that this album, in addition to its CD version, also has a vinyl edition through the Roxx Productions label. A round of applause.
Reign Of Glory is on the metal side of heavy music, but it also does so with a good proposal and an album that is really worth its weight. It’s not just a matter of laurels already achieved. The thing, it seems, is serious…
Here are two singles from this album so you can see what we’re talking about. And as usual, here are the coordinates to find these guys on social media and keep up with all their news and updates…
https://www.facebook.com/ReignofGlory777
