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The Waymaker: The Waymaker
The Waymaker 2020 Debut Album Art

The Waymaker: The Waymaker

Melodic Power Metal
4.0/5.0

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Melodic Passion Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 23.09.2020 | Released: 25.09.2020

Formed a mere year ago, The Waymaker reunites vocalist Christian Liljegren with multi-instrumentalist and composer Jani Stefanovic. The duo worked together with the now defunct Divinefire wherein they released five albums between 2004 and 2011. The Waymaker band is completed by female vocalist and solo artist Katja Stefanovic. I'm not sure of the relationship with Jani. Nevertheless, you'll discover that all three members share in the lead vocals.

The Waymaker - Click For Larger Image

The Waymaker

Considering Christian and Jani's history, you'll quickly surmise that the band is another melodic power metal band inspired by the Christian faith. The Waymaker, of course, refers to Jesus Christ and his self-proclaimed singular access to God and salvation from The Gospel of John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me."

Musically, The Waymaker's metal can be distilled down to several basic elements. Essentially, these include Jani's very guitar-forward song compositions featuring his sharp and brisk wall of riffage and abundant neo-classical guitar solos, Liljegren's assertive yet melodic vocal style, and then adding Katja Stefanovic' female voice to temper the raging metal. Raging is to say that most songs within the album are aggressive and vigorous power metal romps. Drop in some synths and things become considerably more dense.

But, fast and heavy certainly defines songs such as The Waymaker, Marching On, The Name Of Above All Names and, even with a soft acoustic start, See The New Generation also roars. With Kingdom of Heaven and the powerful anthem The Rain Of Your Love, you'll hear Katja Stefanovic offering some softness as a foil to the power metal. As somewhat of an homage to the progenitor's of Christian hard rock and metal, The Waymaker covers Stryper's 1985 hit, Soldiers Under Command, giving it a power metal conversion. Pun intended. Finally, the instrumental Prophet's Sign is all about Jani Stefanovic's significant guitar expertise. All said, if you like your power metal equally fast, heavy, melodic, and quite guitar-forward, you will enjoy The Waymaker and their Christian faith infused debut album. Recommended.




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The Bottom Line

If you like your power metal equally fast, heavy, melodic, and quite guitar-forward, you will enjoy The Waymaker and their Christian faith infused debut album. Recommended.

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