Month: February 2019

Greg X. Volz – The River Is Rising – 1986

Greg X. Volz was the lead singer of Petra from 1979 to 1985 and was part of the Classic Petra project Back to the Rock.

This was his first solo effort and it was well received. It is a very heavily produced keyboards and guitar rifts affair that fit relatively well in 1986.

Lyrics were good but not outstanding but quality instrument tracks make up for it. This playlist includes “Break Out Of The Trance” which was a bonus release on the CD reissue.

Track Listing:
1 – Barrier – 4:34
2 – Joyous Grave – 4:26
3 – Livin’ For The Bell – 3:51
4 – Still Waters – 5:04
5 – All I Can Do – 4:40
6 – Heaven Is Within You – 4:38
7 – The River Is Rising – 5:17
8 – Hold On To The Fire – 5:07
9 – Man Like You – 5:32
CD Bonus Track
10 – Break Out Of The Trance – 3:38

Credits:
Bass – Jimmy Lee Sloas
Engineer, Mixed By, Cymbal [Overdubs] – Jonathan David Brown
Guitar – Kirk Henderson
Piano, Synthesizer, Keyboards [Fairlight], Drum Programming [Fairlite Drums] – Carl Marsh
Producer – Greg X. Volz, Jonathan David Brown
Vocals, Backing Vocals, Cymbal [Overdubs] – Greg X. Volz

In-3D – Barrage – 1987

This was the second and last album from In 3-D.

At times it feels like Glenn Kaiser is doing vocals and the Police doing the Instruments. But to be clear this really isn’t a “sounds like” album.

It is a stand alone quality album. While most people think their first album was better I personally prefer this album. It was more highly produced and had a much better flow.

Personally this is a top 50 album from the era for me, pity is was their last.

Track Listing:
1 – Now You Did It – 2:51
2 – Barrage – 3:19
3 – Too Much To Lose – 4:14
4 – Some Other Day – 3:51
5 – Anytime – 3:58
6 – Holdin’ On – 3:30
7 – Love Will Find A Way – 3:27
8 – Face To Face – 3:40
9 – Love Is Lost – 3:50
10 – Dunga Dunk – 3:14
11 – Final Fire – 3:48

Credits:
James Neave – Vocals, Bass
Nail – Keyboards, Guitar
Randy Kerkman – Guitar
David Geer – Drums, Percussion

Army Of Love – (self titled) – 1983

Army of Love was an early 80’s 3 piece band from San Diego. This was their only release and it was well received in the California music scene and it received limited airplay on Christian Radio.

It’s a guitar heavy new wave album with hints of U2 and the Police. Overall I think it was a good EP/Album but was very poorly mixed/produced as you will hear.

Track Listing:
1 – King Of All – 4:17
2 – Yaweh (Yah-Way) – 4:28
3 – Kingdom Rockin – 2:42
4 – Exodous – 4:10
5 – Vinedresser – 4:53
6 – It’s Friday (Sunday’s Commin) – 3:43

Credits:
Bass, Backing Vocals – Jeffery Harris
Drums, Backing Vocals [Percussion] – Ivan Knight
Guitar, Lead Vocals – Mark McCoy

Bride – Live To Die – 1988

This is the 2nd album from Bride and is generally thought of as their best album. It has a more polished production sound which is typical of a bands second album.

There is a touch of trash / speed metal on this album but for the main part is standard heavy metal. The track Hell No is generally known as the album single.

Track Listing:
1 – Metal Might – 3:33
2 – Hell No – 3:50
3 – In The Dark – 4:08
4 – Out For Blood – 2:56
5 – Live To Die – 2:52
6 – Fire And Brimstone – 4:25
7 – Whiskey Seed – 3:39
8 – Here Comes The Bride – 2:26
9 – Heroes – 7:10

Credits:
Bass – Frank Partipilo
Design, Layout – Jeff Spencer
Drums – Stephan Rolland
Executive Producer – Gavin Morkel
Guitar – Steve Osborne, Troy Thompson
Producer, Engineer – John Petri
Vocals – Dale Thompson

Solid Rock – Change of Heart – 1979

Solid Rock were better known for their two 80’s releases (though not that much more) than this 1979 release.

This album definitely has the feel of Jesus Music but was a little rockier than most Jesus Music. The band had 2 female singers at this point but it’s hard to differentiate between them.

Overall it’s a good album with a good 70’s hybrid Jesus Music/Rock style.

Tracklist
1 – He Is My Friend
2 – Make My Life
3 – Jesus Changed My Heart
4 – Watergrave
5 – Heaven Sent
6 – Running
7 – Saved To Serve
8 – You Can Fly
9 – Give Him Your Life

Daniel Band – On Rock (Collector’s Edition) – 2009

This was the first album from Daniel Band and what an album it was!

I remember hearing this album for the first time. While I already had a Resurrection Band album this release was a different type excitement. This album is straight out Rock & Roll and in my opinion Daniel Band absolutely nailed this album.

It is one of my favourite albums to this day and the anthem “I Like To Rock” was played so often in my car, my speakers could play it from memory when the ignition was off. If for some reason you only want to listen to one cut make it “I Like To Rock”.

Track Listing:
1 – He’s The Creator – 3:52
2 – I’m Sorry – 4:19
3 – You Don’t Need The Blues – 3:13
4 – Free From Sin – 3:04
5 – Undercover Christian – 3:23
6 – Two Roads – 2:48
7 – Never Again – 3:58
8 – In The Sky – 4:00
9 – I Like To Rock – 3:02
10 – Spiritual Game – 4:58
11 – Somebody Loves You – 4:43

Credits:
Co-producer – Glenn Kaiser
Co-producer, Mixed By – Roger Heiss
Cover, Design, Photography, Layout – Neil Dellandrea
Drums – Peter Cosman
Engineer – Réné (Boucher) Brossard, Wes Storms
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Tony Rossi
Lead Vocals, Bass, Keyboards – Dan McCabe
Mixed By – Mark Wright
Producer – Daniel Band
Rhythm Guitar, Strings, Synthesizer, Vocals – Bill Findlay

Twenty Twenty – (self titled) – 1985

This was the first album from Twenty Twenty before they changed their name to 20 Twenty.

Not much is written about Twenty Twenty so I know nothing about their background. The album is a well produced 80’s sound with good synth and guitar riffs. It’s a pleasant listen that will get some Classic Christian radio play.

Track Listing:
1 – You Are So True
2 – Security Code
3 – War Games
4 – His Fame
5 – Second Mile
6 – Love To Go
7 – He’s Still There
8 – Danger Zone
9 – You Can Know Them All
10 – World Premiere

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Marty McCall
Design, Art Direction – Paul Proctor
Drum Programming [Linn Drum Programming] – Gary Lunn
Drums – Greg Herrington
Drums [Simmons Drums] – Dennis Holt
Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Allen Brown
Executive-Producer – Mary Lynn Robbins
Guitar – Roscoe Meek
Guitar [Additional] – Greg Jennings (tracks: A5, B3, B4)
Keyboards – Earnie Chaney
Keyboards [Additional] – Billy Smiley (tracks: B1, B3)
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Dean D. Dixon
Producer, Backing Vocals, Mixed By – Billy Smiley
Programmed By [Synclavier Programming] – Richard Head
Recorded By, Mixed By – Brent King
Soloist [2nd Keyboard Solo] – Mark Gersmehl (tracks: A1)
Synthesizer [Additional] – John Slick (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1, B2), Mark Gersmehl (tracks: B3, B4)
Synthesizer [Synthesizer Bass] – Billy Smiley (tracks: B1)
Synthesizer [Synthesizer Tracs], Programmed By [Programming] – Shane Keister (tracks: A3, A5)
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Ron Collins (6)
Vocoder – Shane Keister (tracks: A3, A2, B3)

Semaja – No Burning Out – 1983

This was the second and last studio album from German Band Semaja. It was released in late 1983 in Germany and early 1984 in North America.

Apparently there was also a UK release but I can’t find any info on it. The German release only has 3 songs in German, the rest were the same version as released in the U.S.A. & Canada. I have included the 3 German versions in the playlist.

The album has a decidedly pop sound and is well engineered and produced. I love the opening track “Hey Friend” and declare it the single.

Track Listing (English):
1 – Hey Friend – 4:14
2 – Green Land – 3:08
3 – He’s Real – 4:33
4 – Not Too Late – 4:28
5 – Flip-Flop – 2:24
6 – No Burning Out – 3:40
7 – No, No – 3:27
8 – Karen – 4:25
9 – Behind The Curtain – 4:28

Track Listing (German):
1 – Hey Friend – 4:14
2 – Grünes Land – 3:08
3 – He’s Real – 4:33
4 – Not Too Late – 4:28
5 – Flip-Flop – 2:24
6 – No Burning Out – 3:40
7 – Nein – 3:27
8 – Karin – 4:25
9 – Behind The Curtain – 4:28

Credits:
Artwork By [Cover Painting] – Klaus Oelmann
Bass, Vocals – Wilfried Herrmann
Design – Peter Klüger
Drums – Harald Nagel
Guitar [Guitars], Vocals – Ulrich Plinke
Keyboards – Claus Feldmann
Lead Vocals – Markus Egger
Management – Rainer Kierstein
Mastered By – SNB
Percussion – Klaus Herrmann
Producer, Engineer – Jan Nemec
Words By, Music By – Semaja

Katharsis – Drivin’ Too Fast! – 1983

This 6 song EP from Katharsis was all that was ever released from this band.

It is a rather odd combination of Jazz, Funk, and straight out Rock & Roll. The varying styles might have been its commercial downfall but that said I believe it’s a great EP.

The different styles compliment each other and I think it was very well produced. Looking for the single? My suggestions are the title track, Drivin Too Fast!, and/or, Wrong Band. Nice gem from the 80’s here.

Track Listing:
1 – Drivin’ Too Fast
2 – Not A Chance In Hell (JC Funk)
3 – Wrong Band
4 – The Easiest Answer
5 – Within The Wild
6 – Clear Deception

Credits:
Bass [Bass Response], Vocals – Jerome Reeves
Design [Album], Graphics – Paul I. Pettys
Drums, Percussion – Eric Dean (2)
Engineer – Roger Fortner, Steve Easter (4)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Steve Helm (2)
Photography By – Bill Littell, Dan Wilson (21), Kevin Crafton
Producer – Katharsis (15)
Typography [Typesetting By] – Peggy Dunnagan
Vocals – Jim McLeod (4)
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Dwight Huthwaite
Written-By – Huthwaite*, McLeod* (tracks: A2, B1, B3)

Avalanche – Pray For The Sinner – 1985

This was the one and only album from Christian Heavy Metal band Avalanche.

Like many bands named after natural disasters their career was short lived. The album really isn’t that bad and is your typical 8 track session rock album. Nothing really stands out but then again, nothing sounds horrible either.

If you’re a metal head this is an album for you. The European release of this album had When The Thunder Roars as the 9th track instead of Battle Axe. Both songs are included.

Track Listing:
1 – They Won’t Take Me – 3:44
2 – We Will Fight – 3:59
3 – Tortured Defender – 4:41
4 – This Love I Feel – 3:26
5 – Sorceror – 4:32
6 – Pray For The Sinner – 4:03
7 – Child Of Damnation – 3:09
8 – Devils Door – 5:07
9 – Battle Axe – 3:52
9 – (alternate track) When The Thunder Roars – 4:33
10 – Rock Hard And Heavy – 4:13

Credits:
Arranged By – Nikki Van Welden
Bass, Vocals – Nikki Van Welden
Drums – Barry Nicholson
Executive-Producer – Eric ”Griffy” Greif*
Guitar – Michael Cloe
Management – Titan Productions
Mastered By – Eddie Schreyer*
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Mike Frazier
Written-By – Michael Cloe (tracks: A4), Nikki Van Welden (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B1 to B5)