Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

The Hero and a Monster
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


The Hero and a Monster
Drift - Single / Wounds - Single

Street Date: June 9, 2023 / January 6, 2023
Style: Metal / Metalcore
Buy "Drift": Amazon
Buy "Wounds": Amazon




Every now and then, while delving through the independent spaces of the more aggressive forms of rock music, you run across a band you feel will be one to follow closely. Such is the case with the Birmingham, Alabama based metalcore band The Hero and a Monster. Originally started as the moniker for the solo act of lead singer Tyler Holden in 2017, the band released their first EP in early 2019 entitled Always. When asked what the significance of the name is, Holden in an interview stated that the "hero is Jesus, and the monster is the struggles and personal demons people fight every day." The band approaches their art with this in mind and view music as a tool and ministry to meet people where they're at and "extend a hand and extend the love they know in Christ."

THAM's newest single, "Drift," does not pull any punches, sounding very much like Howard Jones fronting the band Convictions, they charge out of the gate with a driving riff and snarled vocal delivery that would make any metalhead proud. The biggest surprise happens during the chorus when Holden begins to croon "Left behind, alone and drifting, still no sign inside the silence;" this is where you know you have run across something special as the clean vocals shine just as bright as the harsh ones, which is not always the case in the genre. The tempo changes stick out next as the band fluctuates between chaos filled breakdowns, ambient space filled choruses, and driving metalcore verses. Covering the theme of either a damaged relationship or being stuck in destructive cycles, the band tries to confront us with our apathy towards these situations and challenge us to face up to our responsibilities.

On their single, "Wounds," which released earlier this year, we see the beforementioned Convictions lead singer, Micheal Felker, featured on a track that really flexes its metalcore muscles and matches the aggression musically with the lyrical content. Covering the ground of wrestling with doubt, grief, and fear, Holden sings "Please answer me the constant seeking for the end of grief." The later verse, "I'm holding on for signs of you to take the salt of the wound," is an identifiable feeling for most of us. Many times, we get stuck in places of hurt, brokenness, and even sin where we are left wondering if God cares and we are just holding on hoping for God to help us. In the end, it's these times that often become our most defining moments and times of our greatest victories. It's these times when faith is proven and where our hope is revealed.

In a crowded scene, it takes something special for a band to stand above the others, and it seems that The Hero and a Monster have that. Musically very tight and proficient, lyrically strong with a broad appeal, and a lead vocalist that brings something a little different to the mix makes for a strong contender to be the next big thing and if so, you heard it here first.

- Review date: 8/3/23, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 1 track: 4 minutes, 38 seconds ("Drift") / 1 track: 4 minutes, 22 seconds ("Wounds")
. Street Date: June 9, 2023 / January 6, 2023
. Buy "Drift": Amazon

. Buy "Wounds": Amazon

  1. Drift (4:38)
  2. Wounds [feat. Convictions] (4:22)

 

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images