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
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 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
Mike Pendleton joins the Rose brothers for the second album from Mad at the World. This album picks up where their first one left off. On this album their sound did evolve however and on some tracks we can here a tint of The Cult and/or The Cure. The Depeche Mode sound is still the mainstay of the album and you can’t help but hear it. The album reached number 38 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Chart.
Tracklist
1 – Fearfully And Wonderfully – 3:50
2 – Flowers In The Rain – 4:15
3 – Why – 4:36
4 – Puppet Strings – 4:17
5 – No Mistakes – 3:18
6 – Wait – 3:29
7 – I Don’t Wanna Go There – 3:17
8 – Faith Is A Perfect Road – 3:36
9 – In My Dream – 3:51
10 – Lovelight In The Midnight – 5:08
11 – This Lie – 3:30
12 – Dancing On Your Grave – 5:58
Credits
Art Direction, Design – Ed McTaggart
Band [Mad At The World Is], Keyboards – Mike Pendleton
Band [Mad At The World Is], Vocals, Drum Programming – Randy Rose
Band [Mad At The World Is], Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar [Guitars], Drum Programming – Roger Rose
Design Concept [Cover Concept By] – Brian Kay, Ed McTaggart
Graphics [Logo Colorization By] – Brent Gordon
Illustration [Rose By] – Roger*
Photography By, Illustration [Cover Illustration By] – Bob Rowe
Producer [Produced By] – Roger Rose
Screen Printing [Litho-Prep By] – Orbis
Songwriter [All Songs Written By], Arranged By – Roger Rose
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – MATW Studios
Mixed At – MATW Studios
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Published By – Broken Songs
This is the debut album from Undercover, one of the early and influential pop punk bands to come out of California in the early 80s. Incubating alongside Altar Boys and Lifesavors.
I consider Undercover to be the forerunner to MXPX, although not their sole influence. MXPX managed to merge Green Day, Ramones, Undercover and other ideas into a cohesive, long standing package.
The style of this album is now referred to as pop-punk, or even California-punk. In 1982 though, it seemed like the division of punk styles wasn’t so defined and it just was what it was.
This was a great alternative, or at least an addition to the musical diet for anyone addicted to The Ramones at the time.
Note the names. Joey Taylor on subsequent albums becomes Ojo Taylor, and Jim Nicholson becomes Gym Nicholson.
From the 1988 CD release “Volume 1” we receive this explanation in the liner notes:
Once upon a time, a long time ago in the 1970’s, there were two bands aimlessly wandering around a small town in Southern California called Yorba Linda. The name of one of those groups was J.C. Rose and the name of the other, Boaz. Jim Nicholson and myself, best friends since high school, were members of J. C. Rose along with Dave Hackbarth, who has been a priceless catalyst to a great many records and Artists since. The members of Boaz were Chris Winber, Danny Pavlis, Ray Hersom and Rick Alba among a few others. After a year or two of fruitless effots, the two groups disbanded, to form two new groups. Jim and I sayted together and added Danny Pavlis on Drums and Rick Alba on bass and started Undercover. Chris Winber and Ray Hersom went on to form Lifesavors. Undercover started rehearsing in a greenhouse owned by Danny’s parents and after a couple of months, had our first concert along with The Lifesavors (also their first concert) and another group, The Chosen Ones, consisting of Chris Pavlis (Danny’s brother) and Brian Doidge (who would later join The Lifesavors).
(the story is continued in the liner notes…)
The 1988 CD release “Volume 1” includes the two first albums from Undercover, plus an additional bonus track written by Taylor, and attributed to the debut album, “Dying In Love.”
Track Listing: A1 Excuse Us Written-By – Walden, Alba 2:45 A2 Heal Me Written-By – Taylor 2:15 A3 I’ll Be A Fool Written-By – Taylor 1:15 A4 Francine Written-By – Alba 2:45 A5 It’s Official Written-By – Taylor 2:20 A6 Turn Your Head Written-By – Nicholson 2:45 A7 Look It Up Written-By – Taylor 2:40 B1 Read It In A Letter Written-By – Nicholson 2:05 B2 Daddy-O Written-By – Walden, Taylor 1:15 B3 Tonight Written-By – Nicholson 1:47 B4 Stop Written-By – Nicholson, Taylor 2:50 B5 He’s In Love With You Written-By – Alba 2:45 B6 I.C.U. Written-By – Taylor 2:40 B7 He Gives We Have Written-By – Taylor 2:25 Credits Arranged By – Undercover Artwork [Cover And Sleeve] – Milton R. Sue Bass Guitar, Vocals – Rick Alba Drums, Performer [Kindling], Vocals – Danny Pavlis Engineer – Dan Willard, Thom Roy (tracks: A7), Tim Pinch (tracks: A1 to A6, B1 to B7) Guitar [All Guitars], Vocals – Jim “Nuclear” Nicholson Lead Vocals, Alto Saxophone – Bill Walden Musician [Additional] – Giggles – Benjamin Taylor, Chris Pavlis, Dave Hackbarth Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Joey Taylor Photography By [Cover] – George Zaferes Producer – Dan Willard, Joey Taylor Rhythm Guitar [After Tracks] – Ray Hersom
Tracklist
1 – Excuse Us – 2:45
2 – Heal Me – 2:15
3 – I’ll Be A Fool – 1:15
4 – Francine – 2:45
5 – It’s Official – 2:20
6 – Turn Your Head – 2:45
7 – Look It Up – 2:40
8 – Read It In A Letter – 2:05
9 – Daddy-O – 1:15
10 – Tonight – 1:47
11 – Stop – 2:50
12 – He’s In Love With You – 2:45
13 – I.C.U. – 2:40
14 – He Gives We Have – 2:25
Bonus Track
15 – Dying In Love – 4:29
Credits
Arranged By – Undercover
Artwork [Cover And Sleeve] – Milton R. Sue
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Rick Alba
Drums, Performer [Kindling], Vocals – Danny Pavlis
Engineer – Dan Willard, Thom Roy (tracks: A7), Tim Pinch (tracks: A1 to A6, B1 to B7)
Guitar [All Guitars], Vocals – Jim “Nuclear” Nicholson
Lead Vocals, Alto Saxophone – Bill Walden
Mastered By – KPG
Musician [Additional] – Giggles – Benjamin Taylor, Chris Pavlis, Dave Hackbarth
Organ, Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Joey Taylor
Photography By [Cover] – George Zaferes
Producer – Dan Willard, Joey Taylor
Rhythm Guitar [After Tracks] – Ray Hersom
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Ministry Resource Center
Copyright (c) – Ministry Resource Center
Copyright (c) – B-1 Music
Mastered At – The Cutting System, Inc.
Recorded at Rapture Repertory Theatre’s Warehouse and C.C.C.M. on Tim Pinch’s Mobile Recording Studio except for A7, recorded at Whitefield Studio
The Pankratz brothers changed the name of the band to Ruscha for this album. They had two previous albums as “The Russians”. If you don’t know the brothers are/were Siberian emigrants who defected from Russia in the early 80’s. It was really this album that broke the brothers into the main stream. They were featured on many newscasts and did a speaking tour in connection with the album tour. The Pop album had a mainstream feel and in fact they were negotiating with several major labels but alas as happened so often none of them took up the band and they stayed on Pan-Trax Records. This was it from the brothers but the rest of the band went on to become Legend Seven and released an album in 1993.
Tracklist
1 – Come Alive – 4:49
2 – Someone Listening – 3:38
3 – Broken Heart – 4:06
4 – Holy And True – 3:38
5 – Come Home – 4:21
6 – The Word Stands Forever – 4:42
7 – Burning Bridges – 4:20
8 – Exalt The Name – 3:41
9 – Do You Care? – 3:49
10 – Lord Of The Impossible – 3:15
Credits
Nikolai Pankratz – rhythm guitar, keyboard programming, bgvs
Peter Pankratz – bass guitar, bgvs, lead vocals
Andy Denton – lead vocals, bgvs
Billy Williams – drums, percussion programming
Lance Batchelder – keyboard
Michael Jackson – keyboards, bgvs, vocoder vocal, keyboard programming, string programming
Michael Jacobs – lead guitar, background vocals
Studio Credits
Produced by: Nikolai R. Pankratz & Bubba Smith
Executive Producer: Nikolai R. Pankratz
Mike Radovsky – drums
Duncan Mullins – bass, drum programming
Tom Hemby – guitar
Phil Naish – keyboards, bass programming
Tim Akers – keyboards
George Cocchini – guitar
Mark Douthit – sax
Jeff Teague – drums
Bubba Smith – cymbals
Recorded at: Gold Mine, Omni, Bullet, & Stage III studios
Mixed at: Woodland Studio
This is the third studio album from Saint. The style is a continuation of their previous two albums although a little more matured. There is nothing of particular note on the album which is not to say it’s not a good album, it’s just that it is more of what Saint fans loved. There are a couple notable personnel situations on the album however. Dee Harrington took over guitar work on this album taking over from John Mahan. Strangely John was credited on the album but apparently did not actually do any work on the album. Personally after listening to albums from bot John and Dee I believe Dee is a better guitarist. Just my opinion. John Perrine took over drumming duties from Brian Willis and I believe this was just a trade off as neither drummer stood out to me. I’m not saying that either isn’t a good drummer just that I didn’t find anything on either album that allowed them to show their skills.
Tracklist
1 – Too Late For Living – 3:57
2 – Star Pilot – 3:29
3 – Accuser – 2:00
4 – The Rock – 2:50
5 – On The Street – 3:38
6 – Returning – 4:48
7 – The Path – 3:48
8 – Through The Sky – 3:49
9 – The War Is Over – 3:16
Credits
Bass – Richard Lynch
Drums – John Perrine
Executive-Producer – Gavin Morkel
Guitar – Dee Harrington, John Mahan
Producer – David Lohr, Richard Lynch
Vocals – Josh Kramer
Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Lexicon/Spectra, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Pure Metal Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Pure Metal Records
Published By – Refuge Music Group
Resurrection Band billed themselves as “Rez” during this phase of their highly influential career in Christian Rock. They were one of the first out of the gate to define the hard rock genre within CCM.
1988’s Silence Screams introduces a new band member, Roy Montroy on bass, replacing original member Jim Denton. Roy gets writing credits for the music on six of the ten tracks on the album, paired with Glenn’s lyrics. He obviously fit right in, easily making this band his home.
One of the things that always set Rez Band apart was the lyrical depth. Eight of the ten songs on this album were written by an Glenn Kaiser, an ordained minister with a heart for social issues. Lyrics and messages were never an afterthought for this band, and they never skimped on the content there.
This record started a new tradition that carried on for the next three studio albums. Namely, they started doing mainstream cover songs. Eric Clapton’s “Presence of the Lord” gets the Rez treatment here, which is their typical hard edged Chicago blues rock. This is probably my favourite version of this song.
Tracklist
1 – Silence Screams – 4:11
2 – You Got Me Rockin’ – 3:13
3 – Someone Sleeps – 5:18
4 – Waitin’ On Sundown – 4:04
5 – Presence Of The Lord – 4:33
6 – Light / Light – 3:43
7 – Rain Dance – 5:03
8 – Every Waking Hour – 4:05
9 – Three Seconds – 4:36
10 – You Get What You Choose – 4:30
Credits
Artwork [Cover Art By] – Dick Randall
Band [REZ Is], Bass, Keyboards – Roy Montroy
Band [REZ Is], Drums – John Herrin
Band [REZ Is], Guitar, Vocals – Glenn Kaiser
Band [REZ Is], Lead Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss
Band [REZ Is], Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Design [Cover Design], Photography By – Cornerstone Graphics
Engineer [Engineered By] – Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss, Roy Montroy
Guest, Keyboards – Percy Bady (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer [Produced By] – REZ*, Tom Cameron
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Grrr Records
Copyright (c) – Grrr Records
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Engineered At – Tone Zone Recording
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Rez Band Music
Published By – Unichappell Music, Inc.
Axia was another great Swedish Metal/Hard Rock Christian Band. Their music however was geared at a secular audience their core audience was Christian. This was their only full length album in the 80’s. They also released an EP and a single in the 80’s. There is a 2000 album but I don’t know if it was old or new material. The only noteworthy member of the band was Peo Pettersson who went on to record with Leviticus. That is not to diminish the other members as I believe this was a good tight band who deserve recognition. The album was essentially a self release on Pettersson’s label “Pop Productions”. The album was re-released in 2004 on a German label (MTM Music) with 4 bonus tracks. That is the version we have uploaded here.
Tracklist
1 – Intro (Instrumental) – 1:10
2 – It Ain’t Love – 3:34
3 – Loser – 5:17
4 – In For Rock ‘N Roll – 3:27
5 – Falling Apart – 4:55
6 – On My Way – 2:33
7 – Angela – 3:13
8 – Get Down – 3:49
9 – Confession Of Love – 3:57
10 – Fire – 3:15
Bonus Tracks
11 – Increasing Action – 2:29
12 – Forced Into Darkness – 4:38
13 – Never Ending Love – 3:12
14 – The Savage Ramblers – 3:32
Credits
Artwork, Design [Logo] – Ulrika.A.
Bass, Backing Vocals – Peter Andersson (30)
Crew – Björn Andersson (9), Patrik Süttenbach, Peter Pettersson (3), Stefan Bister
Drums, Backing Vocals – Michael Pethrus
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Morgan Blomquist
Lacquer Cut By – HCB*
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Robert Jacobsson
Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Peo Pettersson
Producer, Arranged By, Engineer – Axia (2)
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Studio Vanäs
Lacquer Cut At – Holland Cutting Room
Limit was another excellent band out of Sweden. This was their only release though apparently they did release a single in 1983 using the name Reflex. A few of the tracks have a Hard Rock sound but mostly the album has a Pop sound. It is very well produced which is surprising as it was producer Mårten Eriksson first album. There was such a great sound coming out of Sweden in the 80’s and this album is example of it.
Tracklist
1 – When The Clock Strikes
2 – Lifeforce
3 – Honestly
4 – There Is Power
5 – Over And Under
6 – King Of Love
7 – You Are Called
8 – Come
9 – Marching Out
10 – Passion Sea
11 – Divine Wind
Credits
Backing Vocals – Helena Sehlberg, Urban Johansson
Drums, Backing Vocals – Peter Olsson
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Trazan Nordström
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Anders Svedberg
Photography – Leif Wikberg
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Vocals – Mårten Eriksson
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Samsound Musikstudio
Mixed At – Samsound Musikstudio
Printed By – SIB-Tryck AB, Norsborg
