Not Of This World – “Streets Of Gold”

If you love heavy music with a beating heart for hope, Not Of This World (NOTW) have just given you a new anthem. Their single “Streets Of Gold” lights up the core of what this project is about: big, hook-ready hard & heavy, a vocal that cuts through like a beacon, and lyrics that lift your eyes higher than the noise of everyday life. With Roxx Records setting a limited CD for early September 2025, this is the perfect moment to dive into the story behind the band, revisit their discography, and unpack why this track feels like a warm, roaring welcome back.

The elevator pitch (for the uninitiated)

Who are NOTW? A collaboration led by Dale Thompson — the unmistakable voice of classic Christian metal stalwarts Bride — and guitarist/composer/producer Clay Ashbrook. The partnership first landed with a debut in 2022 and followed up with a full-length in 2024, carving a lane that blends classic hard rock DNA with modern heaviness and an unashamed, Scripture-rooted message. If you’re the kind of listener who wants riffs and revelation, this is squarely in your zone.

Why “Streets Of Gold” hits right now

Every scene has those moments when a track arrives and you just feel the timing is right. “Streets Of Gold” lands in that sweet spot. The riffs are muscular but inviting, the chorus blooms with a melody you can carry with you, and Dale’s phrasing — equal parts weathered wisdom and fired-up conviction — shows why his voice has anchored so many faith-forward records through the decades. There’s grit, there’s uplift, there’s a sense of we’ve been through some storms… and we’re still here.

The title alone hints at the song’s horizon: a nod to the biblical imagery of the New Jerusalem, where the streets are described as pure gold. Without getting academic, that picture has always functioned like a compass in heavy Christian music — a reminder that the endgame of faith is not escape from the world, but a homecoming into renewed creation. NOTW translate that hope into something you can blast in the car, at the gym, or through big speakers with friends who might not yet know the backstory but can feel the pull in the melody.

Meet the architects: Dale Thompson & Clay Ashbrook

Dale Thompson needs little introduction to veterans of the scene. As the voice of Bride, his catalogue helped define an era: charismatic, raw yet precise, and always willing to push into themes that mattered more than mere attitude. With NOTW, Dale taps the same authenticity but frames it in a fresher sonic palette — tighter modern rhythm guitars, cinematic accents, and choruses that feel purpose-built for the streaming age without sacrificing weight.

Clay Ashbrook is the quiet engine. He’s the writer and multi-instrumentalist whose parts lock the songs together; think sturdy right-hand rhythm, keen ear for color, and arrangements that serve the vocal first. The partnership works because it’s complimentary: Dale’s voice sets the emotional coordinates, Clay’s guitars and songcraft draw the road map, and the production aesthetic fills in the skyline with detail.

Rewinding the tapes: a quick tour of the discography

2022 – Never Forget. The debut planted a clear flag: faith-anchored heavy music with a melodic core. It also came sprinkled with pedigree — keyboards from Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Sons of Apollo) and mastering by Ty Tabor (King’s X), lending sheen and punch while keeping the guitars front and center. The songs wore their hope openly; arrangements felt wide and resonant; and the project’s identity snapped into focus: classic heart, contemporary muscle. (If you missed it at the time, now’s a great moment to backtrack and hear where the blueprint began.)

2024 – I Am With You. The sophomore full-length doubled down on presence and perseverance — that title reads like a promise and the music delivers on it. Released in February 2024 via Roxx Records, the album tightened the grooves, thickened the guitars, and brought choruses closer to the mic — it feels warmer, more lived-in, and hand-to-hand. Where the debut reached up toward the rafters, I Am With You steps into the crowd and sings eye-to-eye.

“Streets Of Gold”: what’s happening in the song

On first play, you’ll notice the guitar language: a confident, mid-tempo stride, down-picking that stays clean, and a pre-chorus that builds without getting fussy. The hook does the heavy lifting (as it should) — an open-armed chorus that tilts major, lets Dale soar, and then resolves into a phrase you’ll find yourself humming later in the day. The production keeps the low end solid, but it never muddies; the bass and kick speak clearly, giving the guitars that satisfying “chest thump” without stepping on the vocal.

Lyrically, the song reads like a guided look forward. It’s not escapism; it’s orientation. Heavy music carries a lot of survival stories, and “Streets Of Gold” steps into that tradition with both honesty and defiance: we’ve taken some knocks, yes — but our destination isn’t defined by the bruises. There’s a line-of-sight to something unbreakable, and that’s what gives the chorus its glow.

Listen with good headphones and you’ll catch the details: backing vocals that widen the chorus without smothering it, a guitar layer that lifts on the last refrain, maybe even a subtle textural pad tucked way back for atmosphere. NOTW know when to add color and when to get out of the way — the song breathes because it refuses to throw ten ideas at once. It aims for resonance rather than complexity, and that choice makes it replay-friendly.

Where this lands in 2025

We’re living in a moment where heavy Christian music is both beautifully diverse and often scattered across micro-scenes and playlists. “Streets Of Gold” cuts through by doing something deceptively simple: it invites everyone in. Old-school Bride fans? You’ll hear the lineage in Dale’s timbre and phrasing. New-school listeners raised on modern hard rock and polished metalcore production? You’ll find the punch and clarity you expect in 2025. Spiritually curious listeners who just want a song that makes them feel less alone? The title tells you where the light is pointing.

The road ahead: the 2025 limited CD

Roxx Records have circled early September for pre-orders on a limited CD edition that includes “Streets Of Gold.” That’s not just a calendar note — it’s a trust signal. Roxx have spent years curating both vintage treasures and current voices in Christian rock/metal, and when they lean in on a project, it tends to find its way into the hands of the people who’ll love it most. If you collect discs, want the booklet and credits, or you’re simply the kind of fan who supports with a purchase, this is your chance to be part of the release cycle, not just a listener after the fact.

Why NOTW matters (beyond the riffs)

Plenty of bands can tune low and hit hard. What makes NOTW feel necessary is the way they pair weight with witness. The songs acknowledge the grind — losses, doubts, the long middle miles — but then point beyond them with a stubborn kind of hope. It’s not naive positivity; it’s lived faith. That’s where Dale’s voice really lands: he doesn’t sing like someone guessing at the truth; he sings like someone who has tested it and found it unshakable. Clay’s writing gives that conviction a frame that’s accessible without sanding off the edges.

How to listen right now

The single is up on major platforms, which means there’s no barrier between curiosity and play. If you’ve got five minutes, you’ve got the track. And if it connects, you’ve got two albums’ worth of NOTW to explore while you wait for the CD. That’s a solid runway for new fans and a satisfying refresh for the day-ones.

Fan-to-fan tips while you wait for the CD

• Play it loud on good speakers. The low-end clarity rewards volume — you’ll feel the kick/guitar lock.
• Stack a mini-playlist. Drop “Streets Of Gold” beside a few NOTW favorites from I Am With You and a cut from Never Forget. It lets you hear the through-line.
• Share it. This kind of song travels best through people — send it to the friend who said they “don’t get” faith-based heavy music and see if the chorus opens a door.
• Consider the physical. If you grew up reading liner notes, a limited CD is more than a product — it’s a piece of the story you can hold.

Quick recap for collectors

• Single: “Streets Of Gold” — digital single available now.
• Label (CD): Roxx Records — limited CD pre-orders in early September 2025.
• Back catalogue to explore: Never Forget (2022), I Am With You (2024).

Final words: hope with a hook

“Streets Of Gold” is one of those songs that reminds you why this scene exists. Loud guitars can be cathartic — but when they’re harnessed to lyrics that point toward a future where joy is not fragile, they become something more. NOTW have always aimed for that “something more,” and this single feels like a confident stride into the next chapter. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to jump in, this is it. If you’ve been here since the first chords of the debut, it’s a sweet confirmation that the vision still burns bright.

Listen / pre-order

Roxx Records – announcement & pre-order window Apple Music – “Streets Of Gold” Spotify – “Streets Of Gold” Previous album: “I Am With You” (CD, 2024)

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• Not Of This World – „Streets Of Gold”