What You Need To Know:

Hell Quakes: Chapter II follows the death/brash metal band A Secret Ending as they continue to write songs that are directly related to biblical stories and truths. These four songs are quick, intense, and showcase great songwriting.

What It Sounds Like:

A Secret Ending brings their own twist to the modern metal music world - identifying as brash and symphonic death metal. Building off their previous works, they continually integrate unique instrumentation in their music. The first song, "The Sins of Manasseh," for example, the last 30 seconds is a showcase of brass instrumentation intertwined with the typical rhythmic death metal sound. Meanwhile, "Among the Tombs" has a much more straightforward, droning to its heaviness.

Spiritual Highlights:

Some Christians have never read about King Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33 and 2 Kings 21. The most wicked of the kings of Israel and Judah. Well, A Secret Ending holds nothing back in the retelling of the story. Not only that, but they also made a lyric video in YouTube for each of the four songs - and "The Sins of Manasseh" includes videography as well. "Among the Tombs" is a narration of Matthew 8:28-43 with the Legion-possessed man.

"Cultural Christ" shows off a different kind of songwriting. In this song, A Secret Ending condemns the modern day, American-ized Christianity that allows for cherry-picking what we want and don't want from the Bible to apply to our lives. God's love and wrath are synonymous is a strong message. And lastly, "Hell Quakes II" has a more repetitive chorus structure that ultimately is praising the Lord's greatness.

Best Song:

Each song on the EP stands out for its own unique songwriting and style. The best musically experimental song is "The Sins of Manasseh." The best traditionally heavy song is "Among The Tombs." The most culturally relevant song is "Cultural Christ." And the best lyrically experimental (for the band) is "Hell Quakes II".

For Fans Of:

Impending Doom, Becoming the Archetype, Extol

Bottom Line:

Hell Quakes: Chapter II highlights the one-man band's incredible talent and passion for the Bible. Ed Casimir is the lead of all things A Secret Ending does - music videos, writing, playing, etc. This is a great EP that exemplifies the brash metal direction that Ed is taking the music. I think he could have added more length to the songs, as they are noticeably short; fully capable of maintaining attention and strong songwriting. The songwriting is superb, the vocals are crazy good, and it's ultimately a powerful epitome of Christian-based excellency in metal.