God to Gravity - Talk About An Incredible New Hard Rock Release

One of the things I want to post more often about is the music that fires me up.  As most of my readers and friends know, I have a big passion for hard rock and metal, and it is always a great moment when I discover a new band that shines through and through.

One such moment occurred recently when I came across God to Gravity.  The band's members are not so new to the music world, as it includes members whose resumes reflect bands like Stuck Mojo and Tremonti (both of which are also bands I really love).

I ordered the new CD, which you can get directly from the official site of the band at www.godtogravity.com    You can also order the digital version at iTunes.  

I absolutely love this band and release.  It has infectious harmonies, great vocals, positive lyrics, and wonderful musicianship, including memorable lead guitar work (something I find to be rarer in an age where so many believe a display of technical proficiency is more important than a flow that truly grabs you). It has it all, including an arsenal of catchy hooks and a driving hard rock vibe.  

Adding to my joy is the fact that this CD exhibits good production and ... thank heaven ... was well-mastered in a way that preserves the dynamics of the music.  (I've had far enough of the brick-walled mastering and volume wars that pervade so many releases these days.).

Personal favorite tracks are headed by the song "Ready or Not", which I find to be a stunning song musically and lyrically. If I am ever blessed enough to get married, I want this song played at my wedding.  It sums up so much of what I've found to matter and be real in life.   Yes, it is a positive energy song, probably not going to win points with the nattering nabobs of negativity that are often found infesting the comments section of Blabbermouth.net, but I don't lose any sleep over that type of individual to begin with.  Love the positive vibe for sure and kudos to these guys on a truly beautiful song!

My other favorites on this release include "Take What's Yours (Rise Up)", which the band SHOULD put out as a single for sure.  Great chorus and theme!  "Everything's Old" and "Until You Know" also contain a great balance of hard rock, melody, and solid choruses, which are the types of songs I tend to lean toward.

Another track that rocks kick's off the CD,  a tune called "Dying Light":

God to Gravity's debut is an amazing new melodic hard rock release and one that I recommend in a HUGE way to fans of hard rock and heavy music.   I give this one a solid 7 stars!  (Note: I use a 7 star rating system, so this is tops!)

My rating out of 7 possible stars:   7 Stars! *******

It's a New Day

Quite a bit has happened over the past couple of months and I do need to catch up here.  I'll address some things in parts, but in a nutshell the first couple months of the new year I was in a place where I truly found happiness and I devoted a lot of my time and focus and energy on this with the desire of seeing it becoming something lasting.  Unfortunately, the decision wasn't up to me in the end and I ended up getting hit with yet another personal storm and heartbreak.. but.. I found that I had grown much stronger on an interior level and was able to weather this much, much better than the period I went through in the fall of 2014.

I never wanted it to end, but I did learn that I could find happiness and sunshine again, and going forward I am set on finding an even brighter day.  I have had an outpouring of encouragement, support, and love shown to me by a great many during this time, so many who had been thrilled to see what had happened the first couple months of the year.  I intend to give them all reason to be thrilled once more.  :)

I still had kept myself on course with my training in martial arts and fitness, as well as playing guitar and writing.  All of that accelerated even more during March and April, and on April 26th I had the first professional photos taken of me in over a year.  This photo session with Eric and Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios was truly remarkable and I feel really captured and reflected the path I have taken during the past year.

I have commented about the things I've embraced that help me keep focus and get through tough times, and all of that was reflected in the photos.  As you will see below, the photos do reflect the progress of the past year... clearly the outer change shows, but the outer change also reflects the inner growth too.

I hope this shows a guy who has remained resilient, and who has fought his way forward despite some truly heartbreaking experiences.  In that way, I hope it encourages others who are enduring personal storms that it is possible to get through the dark times and keep growing and developing stronger.

I'll be chiming in on the blog here much more, on a number of things.  But let's start with some positives that taken as a whole reflect a New Day.  ;)

Heart of a Lion trailer and eBook debuts today! The First Rayden Valkyrie Novel!

It is definitely a day to celebrate, the release of the eBook and video trailer for Heart of a Lion, the first Rayden Valkyrie novel and Book One in the Dark Sun Dawn trilogy! We are gearing up for the celebration of the print version this Saturday at 5pm at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY, but those with eReaders can dive right into Rayden's world today.

The video trailer was created by the incredible Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek Studios.  She has composed Rayden Valkyrie theme music as well, which is included in this trailer.  

As far as the book itself, here are the direct links to the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo versions.  The synopsis is below.  The cover art was created by Bonnie Wasson and my editor on this one was Scott Sandridge, both of whom I want to give a big shout out too! :)    If you enjoy dark fantasy/sword and sorcery, you will find all the goods in here along with a wonderful heroine! :)  Kindle Version Kobo Version Nook Version

Synopsis: Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home

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A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances. 

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between. 

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north. 

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people. 

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion. 

Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.