Thee Final Chaptre: It Is Written

Here’s a name that only the most dedicated fans of obscure heavy metal – obscure Christian heavy metal at that – will know: Thee Final Chaptre. The New Orleans-based band was active for a brief period as the ‘80s gave way to the ‘90s, and despite relentless performing and talent to spare, they never managed to get to the next level.

Thee Final Chaptre had an interesting, and very powerful, sound. They hit that sweet spot between heavy and power metal, taking an obvious Dio/Iron Maiden/Queensryche influence and building a sound that was epic and melodic, with flashy guitars, tight rhythms and vocals that reached the stratosphere. They were a band that would easily fit alongside Crimson Glory, Fifth Angel and TNT’s more metallic songs. They did aggressive, anthemic metal (“All For One”) and epic, dramatic metal (“The Hallowed Hymn”) equally well.

Ideologically, the band had more in common with Barren Cross and Deliverance: undeniably Christian, but in an inner struggle/testimony to faith kind of way. It’s not going to alienate the average metal fan who’s just looking for some good songs.

While the band’s lone release – a six-song cassette demo titled It Is Written – garnered praise in Christian metal circles, it didn’t secure Thee Final Chaptre a label deal, and the band called it quits not long after its release.

Thanks to the Divebomb label, It Is Written is finally being released on CD, just in time for its 25th anniversary. The deluxe reissue also includes nine bonus live recordings (of songs that aren’t on the EP, which is even more interesting), new artwork and a new interview with guitarist Gary Michael Wilson. All of the songs have been newly remastered from a high quality DAT source, so it sounds fantastic.

Obviously a reissue like this is going to thrill the band’s original fanbase and serious Christian heavy metal collectors, but Thee Final Chaptre’s powerful metal sound is just as likely to satisfy fans of classic melodic heavy/power metal. Whether you’re into Barren Cross and Stryper or Crimson Glory and Armored Saint, It Is Written is a long lost gem that’s well worth checking out.

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