Onward to Freedom finds Tourniquet founder Ted Kirkpatrick enlisting the aid of such metal luminaries as Megadeth’s Marty Friedman and Chris Poland, Stryper’s Michael Sweet, Disciple’s Kevin Young, and For Today’s Matt Montgomery to deliver a batch of sonically blistering yet lyrically compassionate tunes. Luke Easter’s harsh vocals are balanced by the bluesy tones of 16-year-old Gabbie Rae. Kirkpatrick’s longstanding concern for animal rights is captured with poignancy and outrage in “No Soul,” “Let the Wild Just Be Wild,” and “Cage 23.” The classically tinged “Drowning in Air” may be the album’s peak musical moment.