The Lost Archives Surfacing the reviews of our forgotten youth
    Back to The Lost Archives
    The Phantom Tollbooth 1996/Final Destiny
    Final Destiny — North of Hell cover

    Final Destiny

    North of Hell

    (1996)

    Reviewed by Mark J. Aylor

    DiscogsYouTube
    Label Stepping Stone RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1996
    arena rockhard rockmelodic rock

    This is Final Destiny's first album, and it rocks. It's not alternative. It's not modern contemporary. It's straightforward rock-n-roll, taking me back to the days of Triumph, Journey, and Boston.

    There is Scott Hallman on lead guitar, vocals, and keyboards; Jeff Pope on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Ronnie Evans on Bass; and Kelly Scercy on drums, vocals, and percussion. They combine to produce a solid 15-track performance, well-produced for an independent release. Everything is clear and crisp, with no muddled guitars or vocals, and a bass and percussion line that carries each song.

    Lyrically, North of Hell is great fare. They are similar to Petra, Resurrection Band, or Whiteheart in their uncompromising lyrics, both hopeful and challenging at the same time. Although not as hopeful, perhaps the best song is "Just Walk Away":

    There's a drunken man lying in the street
    Just walk away
    A prostitute who wants to break free
    Just walk away
    A junkie kid in a rundown hotel
    Just walk away
    All of them just one step from hell
    Just walk away

    Chorus:
    Darkness covers the lives of this land
    Free yourself from their pain
    People dying within our grasp
    Wash your hands it will be okay

    If you miss the days of straight-ahead rock-n-roll, check out Final Destiny's North of Hell. It'll get you rocking.

    3.5 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    Dead Zine 1996Reviewed by NecRoSarXWell. That's the last time I get a CD without first listening to it. Why'd I get this? Well, first off, the title North of Hell sounded like a play on Slayer's South of Heaven, and I couldn't find anything or anyone to give me a general idea what this CD was like. Let this review serve as a warning for those seeking heavy Christian tunage- avoid this one. Get this only if you consider Petra to be…

    Similar sounding releases

    1997WyzardsThe Final Catastrophe1992Resurrection BandXX Live1985PhiladelphiaSearch and DestroyRegulatorsRegulators Bar & Grill1996Seventh AvenueTales of Tales1993StairwayNo Rest -- No Mercy

    Also in The Phantom Tollbooth 1996

    1997Late Late ServiceDeep Peace: Late Late Service Volume 51996Various ArtistsTake Time to Listen, Vol. II1997XaltHelium Blue Gazebo1997Unleashed PowerMindfailure1996Galactic CowboysMachine Fish1995Quiet CityQuiet City