Darkhorse Hero

DARKHORSE HERO landed at #15 album of the year. - Angelic Warlord

Darkhorse Hero
Originated: St. Joseph, Missouri
Country: United States of America
Genre: Hard Rock
Bio
Darkhorse Hero is a one-piece band band from St. Joseph, MO which was formed by frontman-Andrew Gazaway. Darkhorse Hero plays 80's style Hard Rock in the veins of Petra and Survivor. Gazaway has previously stated: "A lot of people have noted over the years that my style sounds very "80s"... that is because I am heavily influenced by 80's music, more specifically Christian 80's rock. I am a Christian. The son of a preacher. And my first taste of music was naturally the legendary PETRA along with Degarmo & Key, Daniel Band Jerusalem along with many more".
Throughout the years, Andrew Gazaway has cut his teeth as a vocalist/guitarist In a number of self-formed bands with his latest endeavor - 'Darkhorse Hero' being conceived in September of 2019. In the following, he states the purpose behind why the band was created: "I dedicated my voice and hands to Jesus as a young child. The songs are inspired by Him and the purpose is to tell His story. I hope it encourages those who don't know Jesus to seek Him and those who do to continue fighting everyday for His Kingdom." - Dead to Self Radio

Featured in Myndbynd Magazine GodsMag - Vol#3 - 2020 - Myndbynd Magazine

Added to lineup. - Shack Radio

Darkhorse Hero is a one-piece band band from St. Joseph, MO which was formed by frontman-Andrew Gazaway. Darkhorse Hero plays 80's style Hard Rock in the veins of Petra and Survivor. Gazaway has previously stated: "A lot of people have noted over the years that my style sounds very "80s"...that is because i am heavily influenced by 80's music, more specifically Christian 80's rock. I am a Christian. The son of a preacher. And my first taste of music was naturally the legendary PETRA along with Degarmo & Key, Daniel Band Jerusalem along with many more".
Throughout the years, Andrew Gazaway has cut his teeth as a vocalist/guitarist In a number of self-formed bands with his latest endeavor - 'Darkhorse Hero' being conceived in September of 2019. In the following, he states the purpose behind why the band was created: "I dedicated my voice and hands to Jesus as a young child. The songs are inspired by Him and the purpose is to tell His story. I hope it encourages those who don't know Jesus to seek Him and those who do to continue fighting everyday for His Kingdom."

In 2019 Darkhorse Hero stepped onto the Rock music scene with the release of their debut full-length self-titled album. This is an independent studio release with the band's CD being manufactured at Atomic Disc located in ​Salem, OR. The album was recorded at a studio in Columbia, MO called 'His Musician Pool'. Concerning the studio musicians that helped with the recording, Gazaway states: "I used a couple session players to cover bass and drums. I was completely blown away by Nathan Yake (from ihop) who did the drumming, he gave the album a solid foundation to build on."

When it comes to the meaning behind the album's cover art, Gazaway states: "First off, I wanted something eye catching and cool and I feel like it did the trick. The theme portrayed by the songs of 'Darkhorse Hero' is an unexpected champion showing up to save the day, so I liked the image of a spaceship. I've also been a fan of Petra since the day I was born, my dad raised us on the good stuff, so it's kind of a tribute to the 'Not of this World' days. Bob Hartman inspired me to pick up the guitar".
The soaring Vocals of frontman-Andrew Gazaway draws comparison to such vocalists as Blackie Lawless(W.A.S.P.), Lou Gramm(Foreigner), Jimmy Jamison(Survivor), and even Geoff Tate(Queensryche). Now I wouldn't say that Gazaway's vocals are an exact copy of any of the previously mentioned vocalists but is unique in that he has characteristics of them all without being a clone.
What's great about Gazaway's vocal delivery is that it captures the excitement and energy of the former golden years of Rock'n Roll. In addition, Gazaway does a good job of interjecting different vocal styles throughout as he moves between smooth-soaring vocals to heavier deliveries laced with more gruff. With that said, there are some areas where the vocals come across as a little thin however, this doesn't distract from the overall listening experience. With this repaired for future releases, I can easily see Gazaway being one of the strongest vocalist in the industry.

Throughout this project, Andrew Gazaway shows his prowess on the six strings which are delivered up via a dual guitar approach. Thanks to the aid of overdubbing, Gazaway is able to be both lead and rhythm guitarist offering up a fuller listening experience. Our guitarist commands the stage as he draws from a deep bag of tricks delivering up everything from driving riffs to Power to 80's style noodling to tapping, to acoustic to Blues style play.
Lyrics are overtly Christ centered and show a love for the Creator:
"Darkhorse Hero"
He's the Darkhorse Hero coming home
Came to this world to reclaim His throne
And everything that stood against Him is blown away
The Darkhorse Hero coming home
came to this world to sing His song
And those who believe in Him will be saved


"Shining"
So with the sword and shield we fight
To the breaking of the night
The sun is rising
Warriors unite
For the kingdom we ride
Justice on the horizon

​
"Outlaws"
I was born where the eagles fly
and the spirit never dies
dropped down into the mud
was saved by the blood
someone testify
may not be a perfect man
but I'm held in His hand
Rolling hard against the devil
got a beat this rebel
Someone testify
I'm a stranger and I don't belong
This place is not my home

were on the run under the gun outlaws
I am not afraid
on the run outlaws
I am not afraid I am not afraid


"The Warrior King"
He was a warrior
No one knew his name
Didn't come from riches or fame
Kept his head high
And his heart clean
One day he would be king
Went on to slay the dragon
Went on to lead a nation
But he never forgot where he came from
On this rock he built a kingdom

I still believe in paradise
I still believe in love
For God and country I stand and fight
Still holding onto love

With the release of 'Darkhorse Hero' the band has shown that they are now a contender in the Hard Rock scene. Darkhorse Hero has delivered up a solid offering that will excite fans of W.A.S.P., Foreigner, Survivor, and Queensryche. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Darkhorse Hero and lets help support this killer band. - Christian Molten Metal

Added to lineup. - White Throne Metal

Darkhorse Hero

Darkhorse Hero is the debut solo project from Andrew Gazaway and features a sound that hearkens back to the glory days of hard rock/metal. The album displays plenty of dual guitars and jumps back and forth between melody and thick riffs. The music is tight and the lyrics are bold in their message of the gospel. The production is good, especially for an independent project such as this one.

The album opens with “On Fire”. A melody played by a single guitar gives way to the tolling of a bell over a thick chord and you know this song means business. The song includes some impressive lead guitar work and lyrics that are reminiscent of a psalm in the way that they express a longing to be close to God:

You are the light inside of me
Without you, God, I’m empty
Never let me go, set me on fire

Next up is “Shining”, a song that does actually seem to shine. The lyrics paint a picture of the bride of Christ and the song seems to ascend with bright dual guitar leads and a catchy vocal melody.

“Outlaws” opens with a groove that perfectly supports the title and would have been right at home in Bride’s Kinetic Faith era. The lyrics tell of being born where “the eagle flies and the spirit never dies” and features a nice chord change before going into the chorus. In what is easily one of the high points of the album there is a chunky groove followed by a beautiful interlude before going into a guitar solo, partially played over the groove. Lyrically the song carries the message that the redeemed do not belong to this world, thus making them outlaws:

Runnin’ hard for the other side
I’ve lost all love for this life
I don’t know how people see me
But the end is coming and I won’t go quietly
I’m a stranger and I don’t belong
This place is not my home

There is not a believer on the planet that doesn’t face some sort of struggle. “Sparrow Song” is uplifting and addresses doubt and travail by reminding us of how much we are loved. Each verse is full of encouragement and the chorus hammers home the truth that we are safe in our Father’s arms. The melody is memorable and this song will get stuck in your head.

“The Warrior King” checks all the boxes for songs in the genre with soaring dual guitars and lyrics that paint an epic picture of kings and warriors with the memorable refrain of “I still believe in paradise, I still believe in love”.

“Five O’clock Rock” is a fun song that talks about looking forward to the end of a hard day at work. The song is built around a riff that builds into a very catchy chorus and goes out with a bang. Are the lyrics a sly comparison between the close of a hard day at work and the culmination of life as a Christian? Could be.

Workin’ hard on the daily grind
Sometimes I feel like I’m doing time
And I’m ready to go home
You gotta know how I feel when life gets real
And you’re ready to go home

The album switches gears with a ballad in “First Love”. The lyrics again take on a psalm-like quality and tell the story of being redeemed while expressing love and gratefulness to Jesus. Musically the song is built around acoustic guitars and is beautiful in its simplicity.

“Church Rising” is another ballad, although more anthemic than the previous track. This track features both electric and acoustic guitars. The song builds to a crescendo with a passionate guitar solo but unfortunately follows a segment that seems to be a little disjointed. The flow of this song isn’t quite as developed as the rest of the album and seems to fall just short of its potential.

The album is rounded out by “Darkhorse Hero” which at first sounds like another ballad but quickly shifts gears into a song that really moves. The guitar and vocal melodies in the chorus are infectious and they will stick with you even after you have finished listening. The song is a fitting closer that puts a neat bow on the entire package of the album.

This album grew on me with repeated listens and I found myself think of the songs at times that I didn’t expect to. The lyrics are refreshing in their boldness and I found myself being encouraged many times as I listened. If there is anything negative to be said beyond what was noted in “Church Rising” it is that at times the vocals seem a little bit thin. Aside from that one hiccup the album flows very well from beginning to end.

More information on Darkhorse Hero and how to get the cd can be found on their page on Facebook. [Independent]
-J.H. Tomblin - Heavens Metal

Added to lineup - Backrow Radio