Militia – Strength and Honor (2012) Review
Militia just released an album of all new material a few weeks ago. Yes. Militia. You know, Militia from Austin, Texas that’s been around since forever.
Before moving here I didn’t know who they were although I had heard their singer on the track Dangerous Toy by Watchtower as Mike 
Soliz was the interim singer between Jason McMaster and Alan Tecchio. It wasn’t until I moved here that I ended up meeting Mike and subsequently the rest of the band as they were doing some reunion shows. The original pressing of their EP The Sybling has fetch a few thousand dollars on eBay. Cult classic to say the least.
I was excited a year or so ago when they decided to start writing for a new album. I love all of the old Militia stuff and the other stuff that Mike has been involved in (Assalant and Oblivion Knight) so I was surely excited to hear some new product.
Strength and Honor is a self-engineered and self-produced record by he boys and because of logistics, Mike also played the drums. I got my copy on Monday and on my drive to Dallas yesterday I gave it several good listens. It’s fantastic. Really. Front to back the album flows well and I think the track order is perfect. Mike’s vocals are still superb. He’s taken good care of it over the years. Mike is also an underrated drummer. I was pleasantly surprised by his drum work on the album. The riffs and solos by Tony and Jesse are really quality and as always, Robert’s bass work is top-notch.
The songs that really stand out for me are Before The Fall, We Need A New Enemy, And The Gods Made War and The Judas Dream.
Now, I only have one complaint and that’s in the production. It’s a bit rough but it’s not un-listenable. To be honest, it almost gives it more of an 80s metal feel to it. The production value doesn’t detract from the quality songwriting, though. This album has it all and I highly recommend it to any who is a fan of 80s underground power thrash. You can the CD directly from the band HERE for $12 postage paid in the USA, $17 worldwide.
9.5/10
Thrash to destroy!
Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling…
Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling
Out in the dark there burns a dream
You got to hope when you are falling
To find the world that you have seen
I remember it well, the weekend in 1986 before Iron Maiden released Somewhere In Time. I had gone in to Unicorn Records to see Drew and ask if he had the new Maiden yet…on cassette of course. He said he did but couldn’t sell 
it yet…legally. I asked to at least look at it and after much badgering, he finally conceded. It was all I could do to not just run out of the store with it. Of course I wouldn’t have as the owner and I were friends, but I did consider it.
He told me to come back Tuesday. I told him I’d have to wait until the following weekend. I think he could see the pain in my face and he definitely knew that Maiden was y favorite band. I handed it back to him and was about to leave and when he stopped me and said, “OK. I’ll sell it to you. Just don’t tell anyone!” Drew was such a softie! I handed him the money and bolted out to my old 66 Nova 4dr.
Flash forward to this morning. I had to actually work on a Saturday (it was actually a class at work). After it was finished, I got into my car and decided to listen to some Maiden. I when to the Maiden folder on the iPod and decided that I wanted to hear Somewhere In Time. I was in the mood for Sea of Madness and Wasted Years specifically.
When that first synth in Caught Somewhere In Time started, I suddenly felt a chill come over me, in a good way. It took me right back to that day in 86, sitting in my car and popping that cassette in for the first time. I was completely awed by the album. It was quite different than Powerslave (my all tie #1). The ride back to my town was about 30 minutes or so and I got through half of the album. I had to call someone! So I called, Kelz. “Dude, Drew sold me the new Maiden today.” “No he didn’t.” “Yes, he did! Listen!” “Man, you suck.” Kelz and I repeated this conversation when Seventh Son came out. haha
While Somewhere is a damn fine album, I still find myself skipping Alexander the Great.
Arsis – Choking on Sand
Arsis has some new material in the works. I can never get enough of this band.
Beautifully heavy.
Rick Colaluca of Watchtower SxSW
w/Rick Colaluca of Watchtower fame. Not many things could make me happier right now.
