Reviewed by Rob Birtley

War Of Ages, once known as Point Zero and formed in 2002, are a Christian metalcore band from Erie, Pennsylvania. 'Alpha' is their eighth album, was released in December 2017 and sees a subtle change in direction for the band. There is also a change in line-up. The result retains their trademark classic rock shredding with breakneck double bass and everything in between with the addition of extra clarity in the clean vocals. "Creator" appropriately starts this metal feast. Opening with brief chants the band soon dial in the metal formulating a modern hymn to the Great I Am. The second track "Fullness" starts with heavy-chugging guitar and an intense guttural vocal nicely counterbalanced in the chorus by the highly melodic clean vocal that reinforces the message of the song about the totality of our redemption to be found in the arms of the Saviour. This is followed by "Buried Alive". Leroy Hamp truly shines as he selects a unique and unforgettable melody. The back nine of the album opens with "Mind Control" and it's staggering. A great guitar riff and some eerie keyboards playing in the backdrop really give the song a strong attitude in a song that is about the temporal psychological battle against the Divine. It's not often a whole album can be played at 11 (to paraphrase Spinal Tap) but these guys have managed it.

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