This is the second studio album by Vengeance Rising. It follows the same path of thrash metal as their first album. It is often considered their best album and I’ve read a few reviews that said it was the best Christian thrash album ever. Apparently it’s good enough that it crossed over into secular fans. As I’ve said before when It comes to this style I have no idea if it’s good or not as it’s all I can do to listen to it’s once. The lyrics are very biblical based (when I could understand them) which I found surprising but their is one exception track and that’s a rather odd cover of Deep Purples’ Space Truckin’. I’m not criticizing I just struggle to figure out the reason for this track. Anyway here it is, apparently the best Christian Thrash Metal album their is.
Tracklist 1 – Warfare – 4:50 2 – Can’t Get Out – 3:50 3 – Cut Into Pieces – 3:15 4 – Frontal Lobotomy – 4:05 5 – Herod’s Violent Death – 3:07 6 – The Whipping Post – 8:40 7 – Arise – 4:50 8 – Space Truck’In – 5:00 9 – Out Of The Will – 2:04 10 – The Wrath To Come – 2:43 11 – Into The Abyss – 8:18 12 – Among The Dead – 3:03 13 – Interruption – 0:50
Credits Arranged By – Vengeance Rising Bass – Roger Dale Martin Drums – Glenn Mancaruso Engineer, Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen Guitar – Doug Thieme, Larry Farkas Mastered By – Eddie Schreyer Producer, Mixed By – Ron Goudie Vocals – Roger Martinez
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records Copyright (c) – Intense Records Recorded At – The Mixing Lab Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
This is the second posthumous album from Keith Green. The highlight of the album is the track “The Prodigal Son Suite” which was part of a Rock Opera that Keith was writing but unfortunately was interrupted by his death in 1982. The album featured a multipage booklet from Keith’s Ministry “Last Days Ministry”. It details the history of Last Day’s Ministry and is actually a pretty good read. The album is typical Keith and needless to say if your a fan of his work you will love this album as it is very well produced as usual.
Tracklist 1 – I Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven – 3:19 2 – Lord I’m Gonna Love You – 2:46 3 – The Prodigal Son Suite – 12:03 4 – Keep All That Junk To Yourself – 3:23 5 – Open Your Eyes – 4:02 6 – Love With Me (Melody’s Song) – 3:15 7 – Only By Following Jesus – 3:10 8 – Song For Josiah – 6:12
Credits Arranged By [Strings, Orchestra], Conductor, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Organ – Harlan Rogers Artwork By [Art Direction, Design] – Last Days Ministries, Pretty Good Graphics Backing Vocals – Alphanette Silas*, Howard Smith, Keith Green (2), Linda McCrary, Maxi Anderson Bass – Abraham Laboriel, Hadley Hockensmith Co-producer – Melody Green Engineer – Peter Granet Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Orchestra – The London Philharmonic Orchestra Photography – Jerry Melrose Piano [Acoustic] – Keith Green (2) Producer, Drums, Percussion – Bill Maxwell Written-By – Keith Green (2) (tracks: A1 to B1, B3 to B5), Melody Green (tracks: A1, B1, B2, B4)
Companies, etc. Distributed By – MCA Distributing Corporation
I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I learned about this album. I remember the album from late 89 as it was all over secular radio. What I did not learn is that the Huff brothers (White Heart) were two of the driving forces behind it. Joining them was studio musician Alan Pasqua who had mainly worked secular projects but had a fair amount of CCM albums in his credits too. Also joining them was studio musician Mike Brignardello who mainly did CCM projects at the time. So apparently these guys came together and decided to do a secular project and this is it. This was the first project after the Huff brothers left White Heart but I don’t know if they left to do this project or if they left and then decided to do this project. This is a fantastic Hard Rock album and if you ever doubted Dann Huff’s guitar prowess this album should dispel that. The album had a big single, “I’ll See You in My Dreams” though the second single, “I’m a Believer”, was better but did not chart as well. I’d love to hear the story of how this album came about but I couldn’t find any reliable explanations on the internet. Anyway if you like your Rock Hard and or your Metal light this is definitely the album for you.
Tracklist 1 – I’m A Believer – 5:44 2 – Innocent Days – 5:16 3 – I Can’t Get Close Enough – 6:06 4 – I’ll See You In My Dreams – 4:46 5 – No Way Out – 4:03 6 – Shake Me Up – 4:16 7 – It Takes Two – 4:58 8 – Stranger To Me – 5:57 9 – Hold Back The Night – 4:11 10 – Love Welcome Home – 4:51 11 – The Big Pitch – 5:07
Credits Backing Vocals [Additional] – Lea Hart, Peter Howarth, Terry Thomas Bass, Vocals – Mike Brignardello Drums, Vocals – David Huff* Keyboards, Vocals – Alan Pasqua Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dann Huff Mastered By – Arnie Acosta Mixed By – Rafe McKenna (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11), Terry Thomas (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Mixed By [Assistant] – Jon Mallison (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 11) Producer [Produced By] – Terry Thomas Recorded By – Rafe McKenna Recorded By [Assistant at Farmyard Recording Studio] – Derek Murphy Recorded By [Assistant at Master Rock Studios] – Helen Woodward Recorded By [Assistant at Ridge Farm Studios] – Paul Cuddeford
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – A&M Records, Inc. Copyright (c) – A&M Records, Inc. Recorded At – Ridge Farm Studios Recorded At – Farmyard Studios Recorded At – Master Rock Studios Mixed At – Livingston Studios Mastered At – A&M Mastering Studios Manufactured By – Digital Audio Disc Corp. – DIDX-005359
Several months ago someone asked me if there were and “jam albums” in CCM. Off the top of my head I struggled to come up with any according to my friends definition. What was being sought after was a rock and roll album that wasn’t afraid to have the musicians take over a song for a while and letting each instrument have it’s share of the spotlight. Get Ready is such an album! The average song lasts longer then 5 minutes with a very simple blues verse chorus structure which leaves ample time for long instrumental jams featuring guitar and harmonica (Mansfield’s instrument of choice). Solos are loud and long and a heavy blues influence. The album was actually released on Polydor and had very limited Christian distribution when originally released. There was hope of Mansfield breaking into mainstream AOR radio but it never really happened despite relatively positive reviews. It may have had to do with the very evangelistic lyrics, something artists has never compromised on. The title track sounds like something from Dylan’s “Saved” album with a gospel choir accompanying the great guitar work. There are no ballads on the original 8 song release and only one song that could be categorized as “pop.” This would be the last album before Eric Turner would be added to the band n guitar. Turner’s heavier rock influence would be felt on future releases, but here it is original guitarists, Dennis Carothers, who handles the slide and electric lead perfectly. Fans of blues and southern rock like Molly Hatchet, 30 Special, Lynard Skynard and the Allman Brothers will find something here to like, In fact, this is the album I originally hoped Rick Cua would have made with the Outlaws influence. Mansfield’s importance to Jesus Music and later CCM should not be understated, even though he primarily remained a Southern California regional star. Along with Glen Kaiser Mansfield single-handedly kept the influence of blues music alive in CCM.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist
1 – Get Ready – 4:45
2 – Mr. Rock ‘N’ Roll – 4:08
3 – Above The Water – 5:17
4 – Billy Joe – 3:45
5 – Heaven Southwestern – 6:45
6 – Never Be The Same – 3:37
7 – Power Of Love – 4:18
8 – Life Saver – 4:57
CD Bonus Tracks
9 – Not Far Away – 4:18
10 – When The Curtain Falls – 3:47
11 – Flow Like A River – 4:56
Credits
Backing Vocals – Biff Vincent (tracks: 1 to 8), Bryan Duncan (tracks: 1 to 8), Christina Dent (tracks: 1 to 8), Kathy Hazzard (tracks: 1 to 8), Katy Mahoney (tracks: 1 to 8), Lisa Whitcomb (tracks: 1 to 8), Robin Glick (tracks: 1to 8), Rosemary Butler, Scott Galbraith (2) (tracks: 1 to 8), Susan Curley (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Charlie Sousa (tracks: 1 to 8)
Bass, Vocals – Jimmy Perez (tracks: 1 to 8)
Drums – Bill Maxwell (tracks: 9, 10, 11), Donny Vosburgh (tracks: 1 to 8), Paul Angers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Anthony Dean (2) (tracks: 1 to 8)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals – Dennis Corothers (tracks: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Alex Acuña (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Producer – Skip Konte (tracks: 1 to 8), Virgil Beckham (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Slide Guitar – Jerry Swallow (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Vocals, Harmonica – Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 1 to 8), Darrell Mansfield (tracks: 9, 10, 11)
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Polydor Incorporated
Manufactured By – Polydor Incorporated
Marketed By – Polydor Incorporated
Recorded At – International Automated Media
Mixed At – International Automated Media
Mastered At – International Automated Media
Pressed By – Bestway Products Inc.
It is amazing to consider that within a year the conclusion of the Alarma Chronicles will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. 25 years ago one of the most impressive, ambitious and amazing four album series came to an end with a work of sheer art. Each album was unique musically with Fearful Symmetry being the darkest, brooding and mysterious of the four. Following the significantly more new wave “pop” of Vox Humana, FS was shocking, intriguing and…well…fearful. The majority of the album deals with darker subjects like death, pain and loss and the musical soundscape of ethereal vocals and sweeping and weeping keyboards envelope the listener in the dark cloud of the content. That is not to say that the album is replete of hope or grace, but actually just the opposite. It is through the valley of this projects the light that does shine through appears that much brighter. Terry Scott Taylor’s admiration of and inspiration by William Blake is the strongest on this project. From the album title to the most haunting song, Sleep Silent Child, the album is filled with images and direct quotations from Blake. The album does close with the stunningly simple and beautiful lullaby or sorts, Beautiful One. This one hearkens back to Taylor’s solo projects with the sing-songy simplicity and lush keyboard strings and Taylor’s lilting higher register. It is the perfect ending to the “chronicles” as it’s message about the eternal hope of all Christians to find themselves in the arms of the Beautiful One upon their death. I remember when the album was released the number of complaints we received were almost exclusively related to the naked man (from the waist up) on the album cover. Those that complained obviously never listened to nor understood the content of the project or the complaints may have been drastically different. More keyboard driven and music less guitar oriented. the album reflected much of the European alternative music of the day like Depeche Mode, Alphaville, etc but also shows reflections of art rock music of Genesis and Pink Floyd. Not immediately accessible or as warmly received as the first four projects, the album eventually became regarded as one of the best of the Daniel Amos catalog.
Contributor David Lowman – https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/
Tracklist 1 – A Sigh For You – 3:58 2 – The Pool – 3:47 3 – Sleep Silent Child – 4:38 4 – Neverland Ballroom – 3:17 5 – Strong Points, Weak Points – 3:55 6 – Instruction Thru Film – 3:20 7 – When Moonlight Sleeps (On The Frosted Hill) – 3:55 8 – Sudden Heaven – 3:23 9 – Shadow Catcher – 4:32 10 – Beautiful One – 3:33
Credits Arranged By [All Arrangements By] – DA Art Direction, Layout – Mr. Ed (McTaggart) Backing Vocals – Crystal Lewis (tracks: B2, B5), Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: A5, B5) Design Concept [Cover Concept] – DA Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Ed McTaggart Electric Bass, Double Bass [Upright Bass], Bass [Electric Twelve-String Bass], Guitar [Guitars] – Tim Chandler Keyboards, Snare [Snares] – Rob Watson (tracks: A3) Lead Guitar [Lead Guitars], E-Bow [E-Bo], Synthesizer [Synthesizers], Organ [Pump Organ], Dulcimer, Mandolin – Greg Flesch Mastered By – John Matousek Narrator – Jerry Chamberlain (tracks: B1) Percussion – Alex MacDougall (tracks: B2, B5) Photography By [Band Photos By] – Linda Dillon Baley Photography By [Photographics By] – Ken Baley Photography By, Photography By [Photographics By] – Derrill Bazzy Producer – DA, Terry Taylor Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Hackbarth, Doug Doyle, Terry Taylor Synth [Synth Treatments] – Dave Hackbarth (tracks: A1, B3), Doug Doyle (tracks: A1, B3) Text By [¡Alarma! Chronicles Text Volume 4 By] – Greg Flesch, Terry Taylor Vocals, Guitar [Guitars], Harmonica, Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Terry Taylor
Companies, etc. Distributed By – The Benson Company Distributed By – The Master’s Collection Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records (3) Copyright (c) – Frontline Records (3) Published By – Broken Songs Recorded At – 3-D Studios, Costa Mesa CA. Mastered At – Hitsville
Chris Lizotte was part of the Wild Blue Yonder/Crystal Lewis group of friends in the late 80’s. He did not play with Wild Blue Yonder but did several albums with Crystal Lewis who actually helped with this album cover. This is Chris’s second album and is probably the best Christian Blues album I have heard up to this point. The album has a couple tracks that distinctly remind me of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the closing track actually reminds me of a Guns N’ Roses ballad. Interesting point of trivia is that Chris Wimber (The Lifesavors) produced this album. All in all probably one of the best CCM albums I have ever heard and definitely in my top 50.
Tracklist 1 – You Keep On Givin’ To Me – 3:52 2 – When It Dawned On Me – 4:19 3 – Change My Heart Oh God – 5:26 4 – Brother It’s Alright – 3:58 5 – Don’t Let My Heart Turn Back To Stone – 4:38 6 – Shine Your Light – 4:15 7 – Come Unto Me – 5:43 8 – At The Cross Of Jesus – 4:58 9 – I Cried Like A Baby – 2:45 10 – Tell Me – 4:49
Credits Bass – Paul Martin Cover [Cover Writing] – Crystal Lewis-Ray Drums, Percussion – Brian Eichler Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Raymond McDonald Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Dykhouse Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Chris Lizotte Mastered By – Steve Hall Mixed By – Stephen Anderson (tracks: 1, 4) Organ [Hammond Organ], Piano, Resonator Guitar [Dobro], Accordion, Backing Vocals – Kevin Prosch Photography, Art Direction – Brian Ray (2) Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Wimber Technician [Guitar Technician] – Shawn Tubbs
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Vineyard Music Group Copyright (c) – Vineyard Music Group Recorded At – Vineyard Studios (2) Mastered At – Future Disc
This self released 7″ with 4 tracks is the initial release from “The Lead”. By keeping the songs short they actually fit 4 tracks on it. # of the tracks are good quality punk tracks and 1 track leans towards the thrash metal that they would be better known for. In my opinion their punk is much better than their Thrash but they decided they wanted to go the Thrash route. I also think Nina Llopis vocals were better than Julio Rey’s but in the end we would hear more of Julio than Nina. I really don’t care for their later work but I will admit I really liked this 7″ release.
Tracklist 1 – It’s Thru You – 1:40 2 – Better Off – 2:02 3 – Get Out Of My Face – 1:42 4 – Question What Authority? – 2:04
Credits Drums, Percussion – Robbie Christie Guitar, Vocals – Julio Rey Mastered By – Mike Fuller Producer, Engineer – Mike McNamee Producer, Graphics – The Lead Vocals, Bass – Nina Llopis
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Sync Studios Mastered At – Criteria Recording Studios
Leviticus formed in 1981 when brothers Kjell and Håkan Andersson came together with Björn Stigsson. In 1982 they released this 4 song EP as their first offering. It was recorded entirely in Swedish and was only released in Sweden. It is comprised of strong keyboard oriented heavy metal. Björn’s guitar is very strong and aside from the production quality the band was album ready at this point and in fact recorded their first album very quickly after this release. Luckily the EP was re-released as part of the 2000 “The Strongest Power” CD release. This is where it started for Leviticus and you can hear that they were a strong band right from their start.
Tracklist 1 – Stå Och Titta På – 5:13 2 – Följ Mig – 4:05 3 – Leva Som Han Lär – 4:24 4 – Min Mästare – 7:31
Credits Drums, Percussion – Kjell Andersson Engineer – Thomas Gertz Guitar, Vocals, Lyrics By, Music By, Guitar Synthesizer – Björn Stigsson Illustration, Design – Inge Vidare Photography By – Lars Lindgren Producer – Leviticus Synthesizer [Moog Taurus], Vocals, Bass – Håkan Andersson
Companies, etc. Printed By – SIB-Tryck, Tumba Recorded At – Studio Bastun Distributed By – Gummessons
This was Koinonia’s 4th release and as with their other albums it wasn’t very successful in North America but was a big hit in Europe. This album is almost entirely instrumental except for “Making Room” and “Señor”. I am guessing this is a result of the jazz style but the vocals are so good it’s too bad they didn’t do more. As with their previous albums this album has a strong Jazz Fusion sound and they were probably the best Christian artists in this style. That said I don’t think their were many CCM bands doing this style. Their next album was far more mainstream so this is the end of an era for their listeners and fans. This is one I missed in the 80’s so I’m glad I got a chance now to enjoy it.
Credits Arranged By – Koinonia Bass – Abraham Laboriel Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña, Bill Maxwell Engineer – Don Murray Executive-Producer, Producer – Greg Mathieson Guitar – Hadley Hockensmith Keyboards – Harlan Rogers Producer – Koinonia Saxophone, Flute – Justo Almario Synthesizer [Programming] – Greg Mathieson, Smitty Price Vocals – Abraham Laboriel (tracks: B1, B5), Alex Acuña (tracks: B1), Diana Neciosup-Acuña* (tracks: B1), Harlan Rogers (tracks: B1), Howard Smith (tracks: B1), Tata Vega (tracks: B1, B5)
Companies, etc. Distributed By – Sparrow Records Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation Recorded At – Sunset Sound Mixed At – Mama Jo’s Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Wild Blue Yonder were a new incarnation of the CCM Rockabilly band The Lifters minus Rex Harvey and of course the addition of Crystal Lewis doing lead vocals. The album essentially came out on Crystal’s 17th birthday so ignore the “she was 15” stuff on the internet. The album was released September 9th 1986 and her birthday is September 11th 1969. Both Terry Taylor and Rob Watson from DA were involved in the project and they bring some quality production to the album. The album has a Rockabilly sound in places and is often referred to as Cow-punk but it’s not really Cow-punk in my opinion. It’s just a fun 80’s album with Rockabilly influences though Crystal’s vocals are so strong she really dominates the album almost making you forget about the rest of the band. The album was re-released in 1995 with 2 bonus tracks (this upload is that 1995 release) and is catalogued as being a Crystal Lewis album titled Wild Blue Yonder.
Tracklist 1 – Just One Look – 3:49 2 – You And Me – 3:07 3 – This Love’s For Real – 4:05 4 – Where Can I Go (Bonus Track) – 2:24 5 – Heart Beat – 2:34 6 – Over The Rainbow – 3:20 7 – Every Day (Bonus Track) – 3:23 8 – Only One – 3:42 9 – Revival Meeting – 2:35 10 – You’re My Love – 3:19 11 – Only You – 2:45 12 – Crying Eyes – 3:07 13 – If I Could Write A Poem – 5:01
Credits Art Direction, Layout [Original] – Phillip Kim Artwork By [Logo] – Dave Gibson Artwork, Design [New] – Timothy McCaig Backing Vocals – Terry Taylor Bass – Paul Martin Drums – Joey Mitchell Engineer – Doug Doyle Guitar – Chris Brigandi Pedal Steel Guitar – Garry Brandon Photography By – Brian Ray Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals – Rob Watson Producer – Terry Taylor Remastered By – Dave Hackbarth Remix – Chris Brigandi, Gene Eugene Vocals – Crystal Lewis
Companies, etc. Phonographic Copyright (p) – Metro One, Inc. Copyright (c) – Metro One, Inc. Distributed By – Diamante Distribution Glass Mastered At – Disctronics USA – 131230
