image courtesy of BJF Media

Single Review of XIII Doors: “See How You’ve Come So Far”

This song simply rocks! It’s timeless, with plenty of classic hard rock riffs and song structure but a very modern rock edge, in part driven by the song’s soaring vocals.

XIII Doors is a powerful Irish rock band consisting of DJ O’Sullivan (vocals, guitars), Flash Murphy (guitars), Pat “Pablo” Byrne (bass), and Cian “Whoasley” O’Sullivan (drums).

“See How You’ve Come So Far” features a guitar part that cycles in and out of the song, atop a full-on energy-buzz of a music bed. O’Sullivan’s voice soars with an airy power that’s a bit reminiscent of classic progressive hard rock bands. The song also features a blistering axe solo – from Murphy, I presume – about two-thirds of the way through that impresses while still remaining true to the song’s feel, returning it to the powerfully churning close. Musically, the arrangement and delivery are well-suited to the song’s focal lyric: “See how you’ve come so far. Look deep within your heart.” For power-rockers like me, this is an inspiring song.

“See How You’ve Come So Far” appears on the band’s debut album, Into the Unknown. I haven’t heard anything else on that record yet, but if this single is any indication, it’s gotta rock!