Review: “End Time Lightning” by Upon Stone

“End Time Lightning represents a window into the next evolution in Upon Stone. More grandiose, detailed and sharpened than before, while still retaining the visceral unfiltered darkness in its core essence. A brief journey through somber yet glorious spiritual warfare, and a truly collaborative effort that sees everyone in the band pushing themselves to new heights. With the production helmed by a pillar of Southern California metal in Andrew Solis, while the Swedish master himself Dan Swano, whose essential works laid the foundation that influenced Upon Stone to form, brought the songs to life through his signature lethal mix and master. The legendary Andreas Marschall Returns and delivers the perfect visual manifestation in the cover art, making this EP deadly cohesive and something we feel very proud of. Chaos Awakens!” ~ Upon Stone

The meteoric rise of San Fernando Valley Californian Melodic Death Metal act Upon Stone began with their 2021 debut EP “Where Wild Sorrows Grow“, a record which opened the door for their signing with Century Media for last years debut album “Death Moon Mother“. However scratch the surface and not all is as it first seems. Vocalist Xavier Wahlberg, drummer Wyatt Bentley, bassist Harley Woolston and guitarist duo Ronny Marks and Gage Goss all have a wealth of experience in other bands including Vaelmyst, Vamachara and Eiris to name but a few, confirming that Rome wasn’t built in a day and Hell won’t freeze over night as they say.

Produced by the band alongside Nails bassist Andrew Solis before being mixed by the legendary Dan Swano (Dissection, Opeth, Katatonia) this second EP gets off to a blistering start with “Fury My Master“. A cut that sounds very much like its straight out of the 2003 era of Metalcore that was influenced by the Gothenburg Sound and bands like Darkest Hour, It Dies Today and As I Lay Dying. The difference here is that it’s the constant lead guitar work and a couple of fleeting moments of haunting synth that bring the melodic part. The rest is at the heavier end that approaches Death Metal with vicious unclean vocals, bursts of blast beats and powerful rhythms. It has that nostalgic quality but its also razor sharp with great production value, definitely one for today, the here and now. Following suit “Autumn Evermore” has those same lush lead guitars but a fleeting solo before the first verse offers something more. Vocal layering has been put to good use so you get a deeper, darker death growl to accompany the shriller screams of the main parts. That’s something cleverly worked to give this furious tale more bite as it lyrically tears through the pages of 80’s low budget horror movie scripts in search of inspiration. A final fleeting moment of synth sounds like its been borrowed from a John Carpenter movie score as if to back up that sentiment. A cover of “Outlaw” by Manowar on paper at least shouldn’t work however Upon Stone have made it their own with venomous fury. Wahlberg spits blood as if the band have become the five horsemen of the apocalypse, sent to destroy the town and lynch the landlord. As you might expect from their brand of Melodic Death Metal, the lead riffs fly in all directions as the drums gallop and this ends up being a rousing rendition with the bands boot print clearly stamped on it. All in all these three tracks do exactly what the band hoped they would. Leave fans wanting more as they prepare to part with their hard earned cash to go to shows [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Fury My Master
2. Autumn Evermore
3. Outlaw (Manowar cover)

“End Time Lightning” by Upon Stone is out 20th June 2025 via Century Media