Paradox
Power and Glory
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
"Power and Glory" starts off with a bang, showing off the diversity of this power-packed quartet from San Antonio. The title cut and tape opener is a heavy bomber. You feel the low end come through the speakers with authority...and then lead vocalist, Manual Castillo and bassist Phil Galicia harmonize their screaming voices to shout "Jesus Christ!" Efrain Galicia tears into some really fast and heavy drumming here. This song shows anyone who hasn't seen the band live that they can rock with the heavyweights. Guitar hero Fernando Hernandez does a splendid job putting down the rhythm tracks as well as ripping through some quick leads. "I Just Want to Love You" continues in the exciting style that made the "Ruler" tape so popular - it's full of big vocal harmonies and catchy guitar hooks. "Meet the King", which was released on Regency Music's "Underground Metal", has some choppy rhythms that firmly plant this song into your memory. "Sweet Reunion" is a tear-jerking ballad with an emotion-packed story behind it. It is basically sung to John Vidaurri, who was killed last December in an auto accident, with lyrics that express the longing to be with him again that day when we're reunited in heaven. The guitar lead here has a lot of feeling to it (way to go Fern!) and packs as much emotion as the words to the song. This ballad is sure to go down in Christian metal history. It's sincere and pulled off with the class of a "Free Bird" or (gulp!) "Stairway to Heaven". Fernando shows us his Jimi Hendrix/ Frank Marino/ Uli Roth influences with his mega-feedbacked version of "Amazing Grace". "I wanted to do something different," says Fernando. In a world full of neo-classical suites, frantic scales and hammer-ons, "Amazing Grace" stands out with its return to the roots - a strat feeding back through a vintage Marshall stack. "Power and Glory" is more evidence that Paradox has been blessed of God with talent. Production is album quality. After listening to this tape, you'll wonder why they're not signed. You can have their tape by sending $7 to Paradox Productions, 2641 Nacogdoches, San Antonio TX 78217.