Calling all the faithful!! While many have been to church this past week, it is time for you all to hear about a new religion. One that gives and gives while asking nothing in return, one that will fill you with hope and promise and the feeling that life is good, one that will have you worshipping at the feet of the heavy metal gods and thanking them for the bountiful goods which they have bestowed upon us. This new religion has its roots in Indiana and is being spread across the nation by its founding member and chief preacher…David Hopkins!
With a flourish that will have you wondering just how this guy has been able to keep under the radar for so long, David Hopkins gives you a heavy metal guitar treat with his debut offering New Religion. The bluesy rock and roll is as good as it gets when this self proclaimed Hoosier puts his fingers to the fretboard. Visions of Clapton himself come to mind as you listen to the first song "So High" with its churning rhythm and fiery solos. Also like Clapton, Hopkins is said to have a weak vocal style. Although he is not Bruce Dickenson, there is a real quality to his singing that grows on you much the way Eric's does.
David also has a lot to say! While many artists dwell on the negative, here is one that definitely sees the glass as half full! Most of the songs have a positive message and even a keen sense of spirituality running through them. Speaking with David, I found out that this really came as a surprise to him. He never set out to do this but instead was just writing about his life now and this is the outcome.
Songs like the title track "New Religion", "Seasons of Change", "Blood Into Wine" and "Never Surrender" all carry a message that deals with the inner soul. While the message is one that is as hopeful as you can get, there is a keen sense that Hopkins wishes everyone would take a look around and see what is right with the world instead of what is wrong. The best thing about it is he does so with some of the best guitar work you will hear! David has a style that will remind you of what you love best about rock and roll! Heart pounding, foot stompin' blazing guitar work that is so well crafted, with a touch of old school that will remind you of the guitar masters of yesteryear but at the same time bring a fresh approach that will make you glad you picked up this disc. Each dynamic guitar solo will keep you wanting more. Every terrific hard rock melody will make you start strumming that air guitar and wishing you were up on the stage belting out these rockers to the legions of fans.
For all you old school rockers, this album is a must have. Hopkins is an amazing guitarist who has learned what it takes to make great rock and roll! Each song on here delivers a sonic blast to the ears as his fingers work their magic. Even when he quiets it down a bit as with the haunting "For More" Hopkins cannot resist giving you a flash of his guitar mastery to emphasize the point. While doing so the best part is how he captures the essence of the song with his instrument. The riveting work on this tune is so poignant to the overall song; it is as if the guitar he is playing is another voice to his lyrics.
Sometimes you stumble upon a hidden gem in the strangest places. This gem is one that you can find very easily and I recommend that you seek it out as soon as you can!
Track listing:
1. So High
2. I Can't Remember
3. New Religion
4. Never Surrender
5. Seasons of Change
6. Blood Into Wine
7. Feel Alive
8. Other Side Of Tomorrow
9. Son Of Two Fathers
10. Better Life
11. Worth Living For
12. For More
13. Fallen
14. Inside You
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