Tag: 1988

Mass – Take You Home – 1988

This was the third album from Mass and their first on Enigma. Actually it’s an EP not an album but who cares. Again Mass was not a Christian band per se but a band of Christians and the track “Holy One” should leave no doubt. I rate this album as one step above the commercial metal of the day. Enigma loved their metal bands so Mass was a natural fit but personally I believe Mass’s music wasn’t aimed at the commercial crowd but instead it was aimed at real fans of the genre.

Tracklist
1 – Pedal To The Metal – 3:45
2 – Can’t Get Enough – 3:01
3 – Want It Back – 2:56
4 – Over You – 4:00
5 – Take You Home – 2:53
6 – Holy One – 6:02

Credits
Art Direction – Lisa Sutton
Bass – Kevin Varrio
Cover [Art] – David Lomeli
Cover [Back Photo] – Dan Muro
Design [Logo] – Nic Luciano
Drums – Joey “Vee” Vadala
Engineer [Assistant], Engineer [Additional] – Nelson Ayers
Guitar – Gene D’Itria
Management – Hernando Courtright, Stuart Weintraub
Mastered By – Jack Skinner
Other [Production Assistant], Other [Preproduction] – Hirsh Gardner
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – John Rollo
Producer, Written By, Arranged By, Lyrics By – Mass
Vocals – Louie St. August

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Medusa Records
Copyright (c) – Medusa Records
Recorded At – The House Of Music, New Jersey
Mixed At – The House Of Music, New Jersey
Mastered At – Sterling Sound
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Seraiah – Soldiers Of Jehovah – 1988

Formed in 1985 this was the first demo from Seraiah. They had 2 successful albums after this but quite frankly this little 4 song demo was some of their best work in my opinion. The songs have a little more raw a feel than their future albums but that is quite typical of a demo. In this case that raw sound really works. I absolutely love the track “Known In Hell” and it is disappointing that it never made it’s way onto one of their albums. In fact it’s a pity none of these track made it onto an album because they are all great tunes. As I’ve said in other Metal reviews this is not my preferred style of music but I really liked this demo and full suggest you give it a lesson.

Tracklist
1 – Rock Without Sin – 3:28
2 – Known In Hell – 4:11
3 – Never Have To Say Goodbye Again – 3:38
4 – The Light – 3:36

Credits
Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael McClung
Drums – Kyle Dietz
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Quinton Gibson
Lead Vocals – David J. McClung

Adam Again – Ten Songs by Adam Again – 1988

The second album from Adam Again is a huge step up from their first. I am not saying the first album wasn’t good because it was. It is just that this album had a huge improvement in production quality and Gene was really developing his style whatever you want to label that style as. This album at times has a funk feel, sometimes a fusion feel and at times I hear R.E.M. While that description might lead you to believe the album is all over the place it isn’t. The album has a consistent feel and is very well assembled. The surprise on the album is a cover of the Bill Withers 1971 song “Ain’t No Sunshine” which is done perfectly. All in all I love this album though I will be honest I didn’t care for The Tenth Song. This was also their first album on Broken Records which I have read was actually owned by Gene and Ojo Taylor.

Tracklist
1 – Tree House – 6:53
2 – Beat Peculiar – 8:23
3 – Who Can Hold Us – 4:29
4 – Babylon – 1:45
5 – I’ve Seen Dominoes – 6:16
6 – Trouble With Lies – 5:16
7 – Ain’t No Sunshine – 2:38
8 – Eyes Wide Open – 5:52
9 – Every Word I Say – 5:46
10 – The Tenth Song – 5:47

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Norman Fog
Engineer [Occasional Engineering (Dave’s Not Here)] – Gene, Glenn Holland, Greg, Riki*
Guest [With], Percussion [All Percussions] – Nathan Alford, Jr.
Guest [With], Saxophone [All Saxophones] – Dan Michaels
Guest [With], Vocals – Archie Robinson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Arveal Johnson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Lanette Elkles (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Larry Simpson (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9), Laura Smith (9) (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9)
Mixed By – Dave, Gene
Performer [Played And Sung By] – Gene Eugene, Greg Lawless, Paul Valadez, Riki Michele
Photography By [Photos] – Brian Ray
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Gene Eugene
Recorded By – Dave Hackbarth

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Brainstorm Artists International
Copyright (c) – Brainstorm Artists International
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Neverland
Published By – Chenka, Chenka Music
Published By – Interior Music
Made By – Discovery Systems

Neon Cross – Neon Cross – 1988

Neon Cross formed in 1984 in Hollywood CA. They produced a five song demo called Frontline Life and then in 1987 they recorded 2 tracks for the California Metal compilation album. The reception must have been good because Regency Records signed them to a record deal that same year and this album came out of that contract. This was their only album in the 80’s but they did get together again in 1995 to release a second album. While they were a Glam Metal band the album has a little more talent than the average Band in this category. I actually find the production to be excellent considering they produced it themselves. Of course the mix being done by Dino Elephante probably helped a lot. Point of trivia is that John Elephante provided some background vocals for the album.

Tracklist
1 – Heartbreaker – 3:45
2 – Frontline Life – 3:31
3 – We Are The Children (Of Our Lord) – 4:40
4 – On The Rock – 2:41
5 – I’m Not Alone – 5:57
6 – Right Time – 4:09
7 – Run Into The Light – 4:30
8 – Far Cry (From Eden) – 4:33
9 – Outta The Way – 3:50
10 – Victory – 4:04

Credits
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Cherrie Mancaruso, Donna Rood, John Elephante
Bass – Ed Ott
Drums – Michael Betts
Engineer, Mixed By – Dino Elephante
Engineer, Mixed By, Programmed By [Computer Programming] – Mike Mierau
Executive-Producer – David Malme, John Moore
Guitar – Don Webster
Illustration – Greg Zook
Musician [Additional] – Chris Unruh, P.K. Mitchell
Photography – Eric Schmitty
Producer – Neon Cross
Producer, Engineer – Ron Capone
Vocals – David Raymond Reeves

Companies, etc.
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Regency Records
Copyright (c) – Regency Records

Sacred Warrior – Rebellion – 1988

Sacred Warrior rose from a band called Nomad that formed in 1985. Guitarist Bruce Swift found Christ and led the other members, Parra and Velasquez, to Christ. They recruited Watkins to play bass at Bible Study and with a quick name change Sacred Warrior was born. The band signed with Intense Records and this was their debut album. The LP had a very limited run and is a collectors item today. Their support tour for the album was as a warm up band for Rez. Pretty good gig for a new band. The album is an excellent representation of Metal. It doesn’t have much of a commercial sound but is very well engineered and produced. All in all a great Metal album with good edge.

Tracklist
1 – Black Metal – 4:40
2 – Mad, Mad World – 4:16
3 – Stay Away From Evil – 2:47
4 – He Died – 3:55
5 – Children of the Light – 2:39
6 – Rebellion – 4:30
7 – Day of the Lord – 3:37
8 – The Heaven’s are Calling – 4:33
9 – Famine – 5:12
10 – Master of Lies – 3:14
11 – Sword of Victory – 3:31

Credits
Art Direction – Atticus Farlow, Farlow Lark
Bass – Steve Watkins
Drums – Tony Velazquez
Engineer – Al Pangelinan, Jason Brown, Randy Burns
Executive-Producer – Jesus Christ
Guitar [Guitars] – Bruce Swift
Keyboards [Keys] – Rick Macias
Mixed By – Ron Goudie
Photography By – Ruby Michael
Producer – Caesar Kalinowski
Vocals – Rey Parra

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Big Rage! Productions
Copyright (c) – Big Rage! Productions
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Opus Recording Studio
Recorded At – Sutton Place Recording Studio

Vengeance Rising – Human Sacrifice – 1988

Originally known as Vengeance they had to change their name to Vengeance Rising due to a name conflict with a band from the Netherlands. This album used the name Vengeance for the first 1000 pressing but subsequent pressing used Vengeance Rising. The band constantly had different members and the only regular member was Roger Martinez. Martinez has since claimed to be a Satanist and then an atheist and actually plans to release atheist/satanist albums using the same band name. It has been surmised that he was actually never a Christian and was just in it for the shock value. As such this is the only album that Real 80s CCM will release by this band/person. I’m not a fan of thrash metal as a whole but really this album isn’t even good as Thrash metal. The whole popularity of the album was the shocking style which was new to CCM music. Quite frankly if you want to listen to Thrash Metal try listening to The Lead, they are much better at it.

Tracklist
1 – Human Sacrifice – 2:42
2 – Burn – 3:52
3 – Mulligan Stew – 3:00
4 – Receive Him – 0:06
5 – I Love Hating Evil – 3:58
6 – Fatal Delay – 3:18
7 – White Throne – 3:09
8 – Salvation – 0:16
9 – From The Dead – 4:37
10 – Ascension – 5:24
11 – He Is God – 0:53
12 – Fill This Place With Blood – 2:53
13 – Beheaded – 3:13

Credits
Art Direction – Atticus Farlow, Farlow Lark
Artwork [Cover Art Make Up & Special Effects] – Christopher Keene
Bass – Roger Martin
Drums – Glen Mancaruso
Engineer [Neverland Studios] – Dave Hackbarth
Engineer [Sutton Place] – Jason Brown, Robert Feist
Guitar – Doug Theime, Larry Farkas
Mixed By – Ron Goudie
Photography By [Back Photos] – Nar, Ruby Michael
Photography By [Cover] – Nar
Producer – Caesar Kalinowski
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Published By – Broken Songs
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records
Copyright (c) – Intense Records
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Steve Grace – Children Of The Western World – 1988

Steve Grace is another excellent artist out of Australia. This is his first album which sold very well in Australia and when it eventually made it to North America it sold relatively well here also. It was also the first Christian album in Australia to be released on CD. The album was produced by Beeb Birtles (Littler River Band) who also assisted with some of the songwriting. It would probably be categorized as AOR here in North America but I found it to be a well produced album with above average lyrics. When it did arrive in North America in 1990 “Big Dreams” singled hitting #16 on the CCM charts and lingering around for 12 weeks. If you missed this one in the 80’s you should give it a listen. It’s another example of the great music scene in Australia which we knew very little about here in North America. As an aside, the cut “Australian Country Towns” is begging to be a number one hit on the Austrailia Country charts if someone would cover it.

Tracklist
1 – Land Of The Rock – 4:38
2 – Big Dreams – 3:45
3 – Song For Kerrie – 4:22
4 – Life And Times – 4:26
5 – Edward Kelly – 5:56
6 – Children Of The Western World – 6:14
7 – To The Dealer – 3:59
8 – Lessons Of The Heart – 4:48
9 – Australian Country Towns – 4:00
10 – Prodigal Son – 3:04
11 – Solid Rock – 1:30

Credits
Cover, Art Direction – Mykl Pratt
Engineer – Doug Brady, Phil Butson
Engineer [Assistant] – Kaj Dahlstrom, Trevor Reading
Mixed By – Beeb Birtles, Doug Brady, Phil Butson
Photography By – Kirsty Chalmers
Producer – Beeb Birtles
Vocals – Steve Grace

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word
Distributed By – Word
Distributed By – Word Records Limited
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Recorded At – Sing Sing Studios
Mixed At – Metropolis Audio

Valor – Fight for your Life – 1988

Valor is one of the early speed metal bands that appeared on the CCM scene. They were from San Leandro and actually were a new version of the band Golgatha. I’m not very familiar with Speed Metal so there’s not much I can say about this album. It’s fast and it’s loud, that’s my review. This album was re-released in 2004 with 9 demo tracks from Golgatha.

Tracklist
1 – Valor – 4:46
2 – The Flesh Is Weak – 4:02
3 – Fight For Your Life – 2:37
4 – Empty Tomb – 4:54
5 – Didn’t I – 4:10
6 – It’s Not Too Late – 5:32
7 – Accept Him – 1:05
8 – Masquerade – 4:06
9 – Burn – 5:37

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Adam Alvarez
Cover, Illustration, Art Direction – Thomas Reason
Drums – Jim Maxwell
Executive-Producer – Alan Maxwell
Guitar – Chris Price
Mastered By – George Horn
Photography By – Peter Laurence
Producer – Mike Hersh, Valor
Vocals – Michael Brueck

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Dragon Studios
Recorded At – Mastertracks Hayward, CA
Mastered At – Fantasy Studios
Manufactured By – Rainbo Records
Copyright (c) – White Stone Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Mighty Man Music

2nd Chapter of Acts – Hymns II – 1988

Hymns II was a follow up to Hymns. It featured the band doing an assortment of traditional Hymns. There is one original on the album, “Purify Me” was written by Annie. There’s nothing particularly interesting about this album other than this was their last studio album. Even though Hymns I & II Instrumental was released after this it was recorded as part of this studio session. The album was released in 1993 on CD with a Bonus Track, “O Worship The King”, which is included in this playlist. Not my style of music but even I have to respect what 2nd Chapter of Acts achieved in their time.

Tracklist
1 – Medley (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus/Praise To The Lord, The Almighty/All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name/Doxology
2 – It Is Well With My Soul
3 – This Is My Father’s World
4 – O For A Thousand Tongues
5 – Morning Has Broken
6 – Be Still, My Soul
7 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
8 – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
9 – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
10 – Purify Me
11 – O Worship The King (CD Bonus Track)

Credits
Arranged By [Instrumental Arrangements] – John Andrew Schreiner
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – 2nd Chapter Of Acts
Art Direction, Design, Illustration – Bradley Grose
Bass – Lee Jones
Cover [Cover Concept] – Buddy Owens
Drums – Dennis Holt
Engineer – Dan Willard, Greg Hunt
Guitar – Michael Thompson
Keyboards, Piano – John Schreiner
Mixed By – Buck Herring, Dan Willard, Greg Hunt
Photography By – Michael Going
Producer – Buck Herring
Producer [Vocal Production] – Dan Willard
Typography [Calligraphy] – Vern Fisher

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Alliance Music
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – Easter Song Studios

Soldier – Babylon – 1988

Soldier formed in 1986 in the Bay area of California. They very quickly went into the studio and recorded their first demo “Louder Than Hell”. This is their second demo recorded in 1988. Soldier was very well received in the California CCM Metal scene. They had a cult following that stuck with them for years though the band broke up in 1988. Copies of their demo’s were next to impossible to find but Millenium Eight Records stepped up in 2002 and released both demo’s together on one CD (These tracks are from this CD). The CD must have sold well as Roxx Records released an anthology from Soldier in 2018. It includes almost everything, if not everything the band ever recorded.

Tracklist
1 – Babylon
2 – Louder Than Hell
3 – Deadly Weapon
4 – One Of A Kind
5 – Priceless Heart
6 – Where Have All The Children Gone
7 – King Of The City
8 – Borderline
9 – Angel
10 – First Time
11 – Promises

Credits
Drums – Al Whalen
Bass – Marc Allen
Guitars – Rick Hunter Martinez
Vocals – Jimmy Arceneaux