Personal and Musical Growth: Oh, The Horror! By Gold Frankincense & Myrrh

We are in the midst of a musical landscape that where it is increasingly difficult to thrive as a heavy faith-based band without having some level of pre-established name recognition or a backer. This context makes what is transpiring with the rising band of teenage sisters from Florida turn heads.

In 2010 Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh (GFM) released their debut album Identity Crisis and began playing shows at local venues. Over the last eight years, GFM has increased their touring schedule and built a solid international fan base.

Their latest release, Oh, The Horror!, demonstrates growth as they explore deep subject matters and introduce fans to an edgier brand of what they have self identified as “beautycore.” The album features a tight sound from musicians who are fine tuning their craft, more screaming vocals, and a continuation of the familiar melodic harmonies that only siblings can provide.

“Give Me A Sign” kicks it off as up-tempo tune that plays like a fun punk rocker, featuring vocalists CJ and Maggie harmonizing while Lulu provides a steady hand on the drums. Lyrically, the song is a cry for help from someone stuck in place and running out of time:

“Give me a sign, I need something to not give up the fight
Cause I’m lost, down to nothing, just trying to survive
It feels like I’m stuck and going nowhere fast
My life is on the line, I’m running out of time
Give me a sign.”

GFM begins to explore a more mature brand of metal with “The Other Side.” This song features thick and meaty guitars, heavier dragging percussion and increased dissonance. Lyrically, the song asks whether it is really possible to find something better, only to resolve that the grass is never greener on the other side. This is a lesson that takes a lifetime for many to learn, a subject tackled by Solomon in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes as he declared that there is nothing new under the sun.

They lighten up the mood with “R.I.P.,” a fun fight song cowritten with Josiah Prince (Disciple) that is sure to be a favorite in live sets. The pre-chorus is a hooky chant leading into a stand-up declaration that GFM is not going away any time soon.

The edgy metal sound returns on “Never Again” as they literally scream back at their doubters. They are seemingly planting a flag firmly in the ground, declaring that they are comfortable in their identity– they no longer have an identity crisis.

“I will stand my ground, I won’t apologize for who I am
You will never break me, You will never break me.”

“On the Inside” follows as an anthemic rocker celebrating beauty that goes beyond the surface level, the strength and character that is found within that can’t be taken away even though we may get scars and flaws on our body.

“Can You Promise Me That This Will Never End” wraps the package in a neat bow, tying the theme of the album– growth, maturity, confidence in our identity, and finding a place in the world– together nicely while staking their claim as a staple in the hard music landscape for the foreseeable future.

The GFM sisters brought their A game on Oh, The Horror! as they continue to make music that is not only fun to listen to, but speaks truth to our souls and encourages confidence in who we are as people.

Oh, The Horror! can be found on iTunes and Spotify.