Martin Simson's Destroyer Of Death is a Melodic Metal solo project from California and is the brainchild of bassist-Martin Simson. Martin got his start back when he was at the tender age of 15 when a friend from school began playing the guitar. Soon after that, he asked Martin if he wanted to start a band. However, at that time Martin had no knowledge of how to play an instrument. Martin had two instruments in mind, with one being the bass and the other the drums. When he told his two choices to both of his parents they said no to the drums, so he took up learning to play the bass guitar. In the 1980's Martin Simson cut his teeth as a bassist with a couple of different bands with the first being 'Conzo Fury'. Martin joined Conzo Fury in the early 80's at the young age of 17. Conzo Fury played local gigs throughout the Ventura County, CA area. Unfortunately, the band was already dissolving at the time when Martin joined the group. However, with Martin on board, the band managed to finish a 4-track recording before disbanding. In 1990 Martin joined forces with guitarist-Ronnie Hunter who was a close friend of his. It wasn't long before the band stepped into the studio and did a low-budget recording. The band's sound was similar to that of Impellitteri.
In 2020 Martin Simson started a solo project and began writing music & lyrics, some of which caught the attention of world renown shredder and friend, guitarist CJ Grimmark(NARNIA). It was during this time that Grimmark officially came on board as the band's lead guitarist. The first single produced was "Destroyer of Death" which featured Rob Rock on vocals. When the band dropped their second single "Master of All" the Metal realm was introduced to a second lead vocalist-Jørn Lande(Masterplan, Avantasia). Guitarist-Rex Carroll(Whitecross) was brought on to add some additional help on the Intro & the dueling guitar Solos on “Rapture”. Drummer-Anders Köllerfors(Heart Healer, Starbreaker) was asked to fill the position of percussionist/drummer alongside skin slayer-Anders Johansson(HammerFall, Tungsten) who handles drums on "Master of All".
Not long after forming and releasing their first two singles, the band took to the studios to begin work on material for a full-length album.
Not long after forming and releasing their first two singles, the band took to the studios to begin work on material for a full-length album.
In 2023 Martin Simson released his debut full-length album smartly titled 'Eternal Reign' on JONO Music (Sweden), Martin Simson Music(USA), and Sound Pollution Distribution. The album was produced and mixed by CJ Grimmark at Lighthouse Mastering. The recording was mastered by Viktor Stenquist at Stenquist Music Production. As mentioned above, this project features many high-profile musicians. The full line-up includes bassist-Martin Simson(Conzo Fury), vocalist-Rob Rock(Impellitteri), vocalist-Jørn Lande(Masterplan, Avantasia), guitarist-CJ Grimmark(Narnia, Divinefire), guitarist-Rex Carroll(Whitecross), drummer-Anders Köllerfors(Heart Healer, Starbreaker), and drummer-Anders Johansson(HammerFall, Tungsten). With this album boasting such a stellar line-up, the hopes and expectations have been high for this All-Star project. After having listened to the record, I can assure you that this is one album that doesn't disappoint! 'Eternal Reign' brings to the table some of the finest Melodic Metal with tight production, top-of-the-line vocals, skilled guitar shred'n, killer solos, relentless bass lines, punishin' drums. Top that off with all the right hooks to keep the listener coming back for more and that's what you get with 'Eternal Reign'. Not only does the band play Melodic Metal but they also lightly season and mix in some Power Metal tracks which only adds more diversity to the album. In the following, Martin Simson mentions one of his reasons for this project: "We believe there is a lack of this type of '80s influenced, heavy Melodic Metal in the Christian Metal scene."
The track-list for 'Eternal Reign' includes 1.Holy Ground 2.Eternal Reign 3.Master of All (Extended Version)
4.Rapture (featuring Rex Carroll) 5.Never Surrender 6.Dragon Defeated 7.War Within 8.Destroyer of Death 9.Glory to the King 10.Master of All.
4.Rapture (featuring Rex Carroll) 5.Never Surrender 6.Dragon Defeated 7.War Within 8.Destroyer of Death 9.Glory to the King 10.Master of All.
With this 2023 record, Rob Rock(Impellitteri) is found at the top of his game and delivers up nothing short of a solid performance! The band's second singer Jørn Lande(Masterplan, Avantasia) also delivers up a solid slab of Metal with his vocals on "Master of All".
On this latest release, shredder-C J Grimmark shows his prowess as a guitarist from beginning to end. Grimmark doesn't hold back on this one and lights things up with plenty of smooth guitar play and solos.
Lyrics are Christ centered and evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Holy Ground"
The devil comes to steel, to kill and to destroy
He takes whatever's good
and he twists it to his ploy
The ruler of the air has taken Metal hostage
We're taking back this ground for the Holy One
This is holy ground
Holy ground
This is holy ground
Holy ground
This is holy ground
Can't you hear the sound
This is holy ground
Holy ground
"Eternal Reign"
Can you hear the heros call
See the writing on the wall
Let His sacrifice redeem the souls of sinful man
Eternal reign
The King will live forever
cry out to the Lord will set you free
Eternal reign
The saints will be together
In His presence for eternity
"Rapture"
When the rapture comes
I'll be on my way
Will you be there
Like a thief in the night
The Lord will come
You must prepare
The coming of the Lord
No one can know the hour
"Never Surrender"
Mercy and grace, they have broken the chains
There is no retreat, when I see what I've gained
Although evil exists, I won't back down, even though the dark surrounds me
I won't deny You
I have given You my life
No, I will never surrender
I will live to fight another day
No, I will never surrender
With You by my side I will survive
"Destroyer Of Death"
Making right the wrongs through grace that was foretold
Destroyer of Death
He's the Destroyer of Death
Destroyer of Death
He's the Destroyer of Death
I finally see the one true way
Christ the King has set me free
Unto a bright and shining day
No more debts to pay
"Glory To The King"
Open up my eyes to another day
Before I face the world
Get on my knees and pray
Standing on the word
You know His love is strong
There's a war inside my flesh
As the battle rages on
In my heart I feel the Spirit guide
In the sky the heavens declare His light
Can't you sing
Singing glory to the King
Mystery and majesty that only He can bring
Glory to the king
The maker of the earth and sky
Let all creation sing
The devil comes to steel, to kill and to destroy
He takes whatever's good
and he twists it to his ploy
The ruler of the air has taken Metal hostage
We're taking back this ground for the Holy One
This is holy ground
Holy ground
This is holy ground
Holy ground
This is holy ground
Can't you hear the sound
This is holy ground
Holy ground
"Eternal Reign"
Can you hear the heros call
See the writing on the wall
Let His sacrifice redeem the souls of sinful man
Eternal reign
The King will live forever
cry out to the Lord will set you free
Eternal reign
The saints will be together
In His presence for eternity
"Rapture"
When the rapture comes
I'll be on my way
Will you be there
Like a thief in the night
The Lord will come
You must prepare
The coming of the Lord
No one can know the hour
"Never Surrender"
Mercy and grace, they have broken the chains
There is no retreat, when I see what I've gained
Although evil exists, I won't back down, even though the dark surrounds me
I won't deny You
I have given You my life
No, I will never surrender
I will live to fight another day
No, I will never surrender
With You by my side I will survive
"Destroyer Of Death"
Making right the wrongs through grace that was foretold
Destroyer of Death
He's the Destroyer of Death
Destroyer of Death
He's the Destroyer of Death
I finally see the one true way
Christ the King has set me free
Unto a bright and shining day
No more debts to pay
"Glory To The King"
Open up my eyes to another day
Before I face the world
Get on my knees and pray
Standing on the word
You know His love is strong
There's a war inside my flesh
As the battle rages on
In my heart I feel the Spirit guide
In the sky the heavens declare His light
Can't you sing
Singing glory to the King
Mystery and majesty that only He can bring
Glory to the king
The maker of the earth and sky
Let all creation sing
Martin Simson's Destroyer Of Death is for fans of Impellitteri, Signum Regis, Deny The Fallen, Narnia, and Seventh Servant. If you are looking for some new Metal that beckons back to the 80's yet with all the bells and whistles of a modern-day high-end production, then you are going to love this debut album. Help support the band and Christian Metal music by picking up your copy of 'Eternal Reign' today!
Musicians:
Martin Simson(Conzo Fury) - Bass
Guest Musicians:
Rob Rock(Impellitteri) - Lead & Backing Vox
Jørn Lande(Masterplan, Avantasia) - Lead & Backing Vox on "Master of All"
CJ Grimmark(Narnia, Divinefire) - Guitars, Keyboards
Rex Carroll(Whitecross) - Intro & Dueling Guitar Solos on “Rapture”
Anders Köllerfors(Heart Healer, Starbreaker) - Drums
Anders Johansson(HammerFall, Tungsten) - Drums on "Master of All"
Martin Simson(Conzo Fury) - Bass
Guest Musicians:
Rob Rock(Impellitteri) - Lead & Backing Vox
Jørn Lande(Masterplan, Avantasia) - Lead & Backing Vox on "Master of All"
CJ Grimmark(Narnia, Divinefire) - Guitars, Keyboards
Rex Carroll(Whitecross) - Intro & Dueling Guitar Solos on “Rapture”
Anders Köllerfors(Heart Healer, Starbreaker) - Drums
Anders Johansson(HammerFall, Tungsten) - Drums on "Master of All"