Deny The Fallen is a Heavy Metal band from Louisville, KY that was formed through a longtime collaboration between six stringer-Jonathan Johnson(Sacred Warrior) & Rey Parra(Sacred Warrior, Worldview). After working together on Sacred Warrior's 'Obsessions' album, Jonathan & Rey stayed in contact. As the years went by, they kept saying to each other that they needed to do a new project together. This went on for some 20+ years until they both decided it was time to move forward & make it happen. Around early 2016, Jonathan & Rey joined forces once again and began looking for musicians to fill the band's positions. They brought on rhythm guitarist-Harbor Horton, bassist-Erik Kyr, guest guitarist-Oz Fox, and drummer-Josh Johnson to complete the line-up. The newly formed band now needed to choose a band name. They decided on the moniker 'Deny The Fallen' which has the underlying meaning - "the denial of the old fallen sin nature. We are saved from the old nature and are now new creatures. We Deny that fallen nature daily."
After forming, DTF got to work on material for a debut release. Just 2 years later, in 2018 the band released their debut album 'Symptoms Of Eternity' on digital format on Dunamis Records. Symptoms Of Eternity was later released on CD format in 2020 when Retroactive Records stepped in to lend a helping hand. 'Symptoms Of Eternity', is the heaviest project we have seen from Rey Parra as frontman. On this release, the band comes out like a freight train bent on destruction! The band's sound can be best described is a hybrid mix of traditional Metal & modern-day Metal techniques. This is a solid release from this Kentucky based band with their album receiving rave reviews.
After forming, DTF got to work on material for a debut release. Just 2 years later, in 2018 the band released their debut album 'Symptoms Of Eternity' on digital format on Dunamis Records. Symptoms Of Eternity was later released on CD format in 2020 when Retroactive Records stepped in to lend a helping hand. 'Symptoms Of Eternity', is the heaviest project we have seen from Rey Parra as frontman. On this release, the band comes out like a freight train bent on destruction! The band's sound can be best described is a hybrid mix of traditional Metal & modern-day Metal techniques. This is a solid release from this Kentucky based band with their album receiving rave reviews.
In 2023 'Deny The Fallen' followed up with the release of their sophomore EP titled 'Echo Chamber' on Roxx Records. Digital downloads are managed by Dunamis Records with physical CD's being produced by Roxx Records. The arrangements on 'Echo Chamber' marries that old school vibe of the 80's with modern day styles and techniques. "Writing for the new album began immediately after releasing the debut in 2018. The pandemic slowed the completion substantially. Also, Jonathan was writing for a large 20+ song album which has been split up into a trilogy of releases, the 1st one being Echo Chamber." - Bill Roxx -
This 2023 sophomore offering features 8-tracks total which breaks down as 5-new original tunes by DTF, 2-cover songs, and 1-instrumental track. Yes, there is present not just one but two different cover songs on this 2023 album. The first is found at track-6 where we find a slightly heavier cover of Stryper's "Sing Along Song". Then there's track-7 which is a cover of the song "Mission" by King's X. On this cover, Jonathan Johnson handles lead vocals and honestly sounds very similar to that of King's X vocalist-Doug Pinnick. The album's stunning cover-art was done by artist Rafael Tavares Gripp who has worked with bands like 'Shining Force', 'Not of This World', 'Les Carlsen', 'Vultures Gathering', 'Swingle and Thompson Ordained', 'Frost Like Ashes', 'Perpetual Legacy', and the list goes on and on. The track-list for 'Echo Chamber' includes 1.Echo Chamber 2.Live Again 3.Eye of the Hurricane 4.Point of no Return 5.If It Costs Me My Life 6.Sing Along Song (Stryper Cover) 7.Mission (King's X Cover) 8.Reflections (Instrumental).
With Deny The Fallen's 'Echo Chamber' release, there has been a subtle adjustment where the band has pulled back the reins on the harsh Metalcore-ish backing vocals found on their debut album. For this listener, this is a welcomed change which I can only imagine will make other traditional Metal fans happy as well. My sole complaint with this latest release is found with the band's instrumental track-8 "Reflections". Instead of having a slow, boring, & short instrumental, why not close the album out with a killer energetic blistering solo by guitarist-Jonathan Johnson that maybe clocks in at around 2 and a half minutes long.
This 2023 sophomore offering features 8-tracks total which breaks down as 5-new original tunes by DTF, 2-cover songs, and 1-instrumental track. Yes, there is present not just one but two different cover songs on this 2023 album. The first is found at track-6 where we find a slightly heavier cover of Stryper's "Sing Along Song". Then there's track-7 which is a cover of the song "Mission" by King's X. On this cover, Jonathan Johnson handles lead vocals and honestly sounds very similar to that of King's X vocalist-Doug Pinnick. The album's stunning cover-art was done by artist Rafael Tavares Gripp who has worked with bands like 'Shining Force', 'Not of This World', 'Les Carlsen', 'Vultures Gathering', 'Swingle and Thompson Ordained', 'Frost Like Ashes', 'Perpetual Legacy', and the list goes on and on. The track-list for 'Echo Chamber' includes 1.Echo Chamber 2.Live Again 3.Eye of the Hurricane 4.Point of no Return 5.If It Costs Me My Life 6.Sing Along Song (Stryper Cover) 7.Mission (King's X Cover) 8.Reflections (Instrumental).
With Deny The Fallen's 'Echo Chamber' release, there has been a subtle adjustment where the band has pulled back the reins on the harsh Metalcore-ish backing vocals found on their debut album. For this listener, this is a welcomed change which I can only imagine will make other traditional Metal fans happy as well. My sole complaint with this latest release is found with the band's instrumental track-8 "Reflections". Instead of having a slow, boring, & short instrumental, why not close the album out with a killer energetic blistering solo by guitarist-Jonathan Johnson that maybe clocks in at around 2 and a half minutes long.
Concerning the album's production, founding member-Jonathan Johnson expounds: “So as we prepare to button up the next Deny The Fallen (EP) for release in July, I'm thrilled with how it sounds! As producer I set my sights and standards incredibly high for the production quality of this release. I didn't want it to compare with top Christian Rock/Metal albums. I wanted it to not only compete but equal the productions of bands like Alterbridge, Tremonti, Sevendust etc.. That all have polished, big high-end productions. I'm thrilled to say I believe it stands right with all of them sonically. The feedback I've received from folks in the industry that have heard some of the progress along the way has been how huge and high end the production is. Raw and polished at the same time. This excites me because I love producing as much as I love writing and performing. I CAN"T WAIT for everyone to hear this record!”
The only line-up change to report comes by way of the string section with the band's original rhythm guitarist-Harbor Horton being replaced by guitarist-Jeff Rankin. The band's current roster consists of lead vocalist-Rey Parra, lead guitarist-Jonathan Johnson, guitarist-Jeff Rankin, bassist-Erik Kyr, and drummer Josh Johnson on percussion.
These days, Frontman-Rey Parra is not found going for those extra high notes like in the earlier days of his career with Sacred Warrior. However, Rey's vocals have aged nicely throughout the years as we first saw with his work on Worldview's debut album. Without question, on this latest project, Rey makes it clear that he still has the chops to deliver a strong solid performance!
Throughout this 2023 release, shredder-Jonathan Johnson lets the listener know why he has the title "lead guitarist". Jonathan garners some additional support by guitarist-Jeff Rankin and the two wreak havoc together on their latest album. Jonathan & Jeff mix things up by delivering a broad array of guitar play including heavy Thrash riffs, 80's noodling, 90's era guitars, light Doom play, and Modern techniques.
Lyrics are Christ centered and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Live Again"
I give my life for you
I give it all away
Carry my cross for you
And on my weakest day
I'll never be alone
"If It Costs Me My Life"
It's time we shout it
So all hell can hear it
Let's raise a scream
That shakes the sky
We'll sing it out
Just like we have no fear and
We'll lift the name
Of Jesus high
All glory honor and praise
Unto the Lamb who was slain
We'll send this song to the sky
I'll praise
if it costs me my life
"Eye Of The Hurricane"
Around the world it's the same
Fixing the rules of the game
The wicked setting the stage for Antichrist
They hate us one and the same
Because we stand for Your name
Out of the torrent Your people will arise
SHINE!
Even when by this world your despised
Till the end we will love not our lives
Through the cyclone
We'll light up the world until the end
The oceans will roar
And the nations will rage
This world will be terrorized
We will endure and remain
In the eye of the hurricane
"Point Of No Return"
Are we at the point of no return?
God let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
Before we pass the point of no return
"Sing Along Song"
In a land of freedom
God has shed His grace
We're proud to live in such a place
With the right to sing
Song after song
This song's for you to sing-sing-sing-sing along
Whoa-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o la, la
Whoa-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o la, la
Lift your voices higher
We wanna hear you sing
Let's lift our voices to the King of kings
"Mission"
Who are these people behind the stained glass windows?
Have they forgotten just what they came here for?
Was it salvation or scared of hell
Or an assembly of a social get-together?
What's the mission of the Preacher Man?
Some are true, some do lie
What's the mission of the Preacher Man?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I give my life for you
I give it all away
Carry my cross for you
And on my weakest day
I'll never be alone
"If It Costs Me My Life"
It's time we shout it
So all hell can hear it
Let's raise a scream
That shakes the sky
We'll sing it out
Just like we have no fear and
We'll lift the name
Of Jesus high
All glory honor and praise
Unto the Lamb who was slain
We'll send this song to the sky
I'll praise
if it costs me my life
"Eye Of The Hurricane"
Around the world it's the same
Fixing the rules of the game
The wicked setting the stage for Antichrist
They hate us one and the same
Because we stand for Your name
Out of the torrent Your people will arise
SHINE!
Even when by this world your despised
Till the end we will love not our lives
Through the cyclone
We'll light up the world until the end
The oceans will roar
And the nations will rage
This world will be terrorized
We will endure and remain
In the eye of the hurricane
"Point Of No Return"
Are we at the point of no return?
God let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
Before we pass the point of no return
"Sing Along Song"
In a land of freedom
God has shed His grace
We're proud to live in such a place
With the right to sing
Song after song
This song's for you to sing-sing-sing-sing along
Whoa-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o la, la
Whoa-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o la, la
Lift your voices higher
We wanna hear you sing
Let's lift our voices to the King of kings
"Mission"
Who are these people behind the stained glass windows?
Have they forgotten just what they came here for?
Was it salvation or scared of hell
Or an assembly of a social get-together?
What's the mission of the Preacher Man?
Some are true, some do lie
What's the mission of the Preacher Man?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
With 'Echo Chamber', Deny The Fallen has gotten off to a great start to their 3-part trilogy. If you are looking for some Heavy Metal with a Modern-day flare then you are in the right place. This is one album that doesn't disappoint and is sure to please fans of Sacred Warrior and Worldview. Help support the band and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of 'Echo Chamber' today!
Musicians:
Rey Parra(Sacred Warrior, Worldview) - Lead Vocals
Jonathan Johnson(Sacred Warrior) - Guitars, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals on "Mission"
Jeff Rankin - Guitars
Erik Kyr - Bass
Josh Johnson - Drums
Rey Parra(Sacred Warrior, Worldview) - Lead Vocals
Jonathan Johnson(Sacred Warrior) - Guitars, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals on "Mission"
Jeff Rankin - Guitars
Erik Kyr - Bass
Josh Johnson - Drums