Tag: 1988

Saint – Too Late For Living – 1988

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

Rez Band (Resurrection Band) – Silence Screams – 1988

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 – Axia – 1988

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 – When The Clock Strikes – 1988

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

Bloodgood – Rock In A Hard Place – 1988

This was the third release from Bloodgood. Many consider this to be their most “commercial” sounding album. It is easily my preferred album by them probably because there are tracks that lean more Hard Rock than Heavy Metal. The original recording had poor low end leading to complaints about the production quality. The 2015 re-release on CD was remastered to solve this problem. All in all I like this album which is saying a lot as I really don’t like Heavy Metal.

Tracklist
1 – Shakin’ It – 2:52
2 – Never Be The Same – 3:59
3 – The Presence – 3:29
4 – What Have I Done? – 3:41
5 – Heaven On Earth – 3:43
6 – Do Or Die – 2:21
7 – She’s Gone – 4:29
8 – The World (Keeps Movin’ Around) – 4:09
9 – Seven – 4:47

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs] – Bloodgood, Terry B. Shelton
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Band [Bloodgood], Bass, Vocals – Michael Phillip Bloodgood
Band [Bloodgood], Drums – Mark Howard Welling
Band [Bloodgood], Guitar, Vocals – David Vincent Zaffiro
Band [Bloodgood], Vocals – Claude Leslie Carlsen
Design Concept [Cover Concept] – Sherri Jongeward
Engineer [Assistant] – Dave Dysart
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Terry B. Shelton
Graphics [Air Brushing] – Jeff Foster
Orchestrated By – Brook Lazotte, Terry B. Shelton
Photography By – Lynn DeBon
Producer [Produced By] – Terry B. Shelton

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Produced For – Black Coat Productions
Recorded At – Bear Creek Studios
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Stryper – In God We Trust – 1988

This is Stryper’s 4th studio album and it starts up where the last album “To Hell With The Devil” left off. Actually it was more highly produced than the previous albums including overdubbed four part harmonies that were all the rage at the time. I find myself in a love hate relationship with this album. The album is way over produced/engineered but the songs are better lyrically and music wise than previous albums. The album did get 2 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart including “Always There For You” which hit #71 and “I Believe in You” which hit #88. “Keep The Fire Burning” was also released as a single but did not chart. #71, and #88 may not sound like great numbers but we are talking about a Christian band here remember.

Tracklist
1 – In God We Trust – 3:58
2 – Always There For You – 4:11
3 – Keep The Fire Burning – 3:35
4 – I Believe In You – 3:15
5 – The Writings On The Wall – 4:16
6 – It’s Up 2 U – 3:52
7 – The World Of You And I – 3:46
8 – Come To The Everlife – 4:09
9 – Lonely – 4:10
10 – The Reign – 2:48

Credits
Bass – Brad Cott
Engineer – Carmine Rubino, Dan Nebenzal
Engineer [Assistant] – Bob Vogt, Brian Scheuble, Charlie Brocco, Dave Deavalon, Gary Myersburg, Jeff DeMorris, Mark McKenna, Mike Bosley, Robert Hart (3), Scott Gordon
Keyboards [Additional] – Billy Meyers, John Van Tongren
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Mixed By – Carmine Rubino, Dan Nebenzal, Michael Lloyd, Stryper
Mixed By [Assistant] – Jeff DeMorris, Robert Hart
Producer – Michael Lloyd, Stryper
Programmed By [Synclavier] – Steven Croes

Mark Farner – Just Another Injustice – 1988

This is Mark Farner’s first solo album after the dissolution of Grand Funk Railroad though he did have 2 solo albums while the band was still together. It was released on Frontline Records and left no argument that it was a Christian album. This is a great Rock & Roll album which plays to the patriotism of it’s mainly American audience. I’m not entirely sure who to compare the album to but there are a few songs on the album that Huey Lewis could have felt right at home singing. My favourite track is Come to Jesus which took me back to Sunday School but with a huge Rock & Roll upgrade. One cool thing on the album is a guest appearance from Phil Keaggy.

Tracklist
1 – Airborne Ranger – 3:57
2 – Judgement Day Blues – 4:46
3 – Isn’t It Amazing – 4:35
4 – Come to Jesus – 3:58
5 – Give Me the Works – 3:25
6 – An Emotional Look at Love – 3:16
7 – Workin’ for the Winner – 3:40
8 – Just Another Injustice – 3:55
9 – The Writing on the Wall – 4:30
10 – Only You – 3:43

Credits
Lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass – Mark Farner
Keyboards – Tim Heintz
Drums – David Huff
Guest guitars – Phil Keaggy
Additional bass – John Patitucci
Additional bass – Kirt Shearer
Guest backing vocals – Bob Carlisle

Shout – It Won’t Be Long – 1988

Shout was started by Ken Tamplin who left Joshua feeling the need to do something different. He recruited fellow Joshua member Loren Robinson to join him and also recruited Idle Cure guitarist Chuck King. Keyboardist Mark Hugonberger joined in having no real CCM background and the band rounded out with drummer Dennis Holt who had played with several CCM bands in his life including AD, Kenny Marks, White Heart, and even oddly enough The Archers. The album is more hard rock than heavy Metal and I actually quite liked it. It has that Def Leppard sound of fun songs with heavy drum tracks and strong lead guitars. We’re not talking some deeply though out lyrics with complicated lead guitar work here. Instead it’s a fun album to play air guitar to.

Tracklist
1 – Never Stop – 3:58
2 – Winners Or Losers – 3:42
3 – It Won’t Be Long – 4:21
4 – Find A Way – 4:49
5 – Dancin’ Round The World – 3:13
6 – Shout – 4:19
7 – Showdown – 4:02
8 – Timeless Love – 4:36
9 – Without You – 3:42

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Band [Shout Is], Bass Guitar, Vocals – Loren Robinson
Band [Shout Is], Drums – Dennis Holt
Band [Shout Is], Keyboards – Mark Hugonberger
Band [Shout Is], Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals – Ken Tamplin
Band [Shout Is], Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Chuck King
Engineer [Mixing Engineer] – Dave Jahnsen
Engineer [Tracking Engineer] – Robert Dire
Graphics [Litho Prep By] – Gershwin Graphics
Illustration [Logo Illustration By] – Jeff Foster
Photography By – Nigel Skeet
Producer [Produced By] – Ken Tamplin
Written-By [All Songs Written By] – Ken Tamplin

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Frontline Records
Copyright (c) – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Winetree Recording
Mixed At – Winetree Recording
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Published By – Broken Songs

Whitecross – Hammer & Nail – 1988

More metal, more hair in this 1988 release from Whitecross.

Hammer & Nail is their third album, still with “Pure Metal Records” (and other distributions in Europe). The name says it all.

The sound on this one is almost Queensryche, which is a little different than their earlier work.

The guitar work still shines on this album, with solid rhythm work and plenty of good lead guitar licks to keep the songs moving. It never gets boring, even though they really drive out the anthem choruses on songs like “When The Walls Tumble Down” and “Because of Jesus.”

The title track “The Hammer And The Nail” starts out with a good long guitar solo intro and plenty more of those flourishes that make the song fun to listen to.

The song “Walk With Me” is another ballad offering like we’ve been used to getting from the WC boys. That soft vocal sound is a little surprising to find among all the hard rock on this album, but the song sustains energy and still fits on the album.

Intersting note, the album title is not on the cover, just a picture of a hammer and a nail. The edge of the jacket and all the official release info though confirms the name is official.

Track Listing:
1 – Living On The Edge – 5:11
2 – When The Walls Tumble Down – 3:32
3 – The Hammer And The Nail – 1:35
4 – Take It To The Limit – 4:09
5 – Walk With Me – 4:44
6 – Because Of Jesus – 3:40
7 – When The Clock Strikes – 4:34
8 – Resist Him – 4:20
9 – Living In A Lost World – 3:51
10 – Top Of The World – 3:33

Credits
Band [Whitecross Is], Bass – Jon Sproule
Band [Whitecross Is], Drums – Mark Hedl
Band [Whitecross Is], Guitar [Guitars] – Rex Carroll
Band [Whitecross Is], Lead Vocals – Scott Wenzel
Cover, Art Direction, Design – Jeff Spencer
Engineer – Doug Oberkircher
Engineer [Assisted By] – Dan Rudin, Vince Micko
Executive-Producer – Gavin Morkel
Photography By [Band Photography] – Bill Bilsley
Photography By [Cover Photography] – Kevin Bubbenmoyer
Producer [Produced By] – Joey Powers, Rex Carroll

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Star Song
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song
Record Company – Star Song Communications
Recorded At – Grand Slam Studios
Recorded At – Opus Recording Studio
Manufactured By – EMI Jax
Published By – Girder Music

Geoff Moore and The Distance – A Place To Stand – 1988

After 3 successful solo albums this was Geoff’s first album as Geoff Moore + The Distance. The album was produced by Billy Smiley from White Heart. You can feel Billy’s influence on the album but with Geoff’s raspy voice and Dale Oliver rock guitar style it’s not just a White Heart wanna be album. Instead it’s a solid Rock / Pop effort. I was hooked on the album after the first listen. Go To The Moon stands out to me as the best Rock & Roll track.

Tracklist
1 – A Place To Stand – 4:53
2 – Go To The Moon – 4:11
3 – Heart And Soul – 4:29
4 – Outsiders – 4:34
5 – On A Night Like This – 3:54
6 – I Come Out Fighting – 4:03
7 – Tender Hearts – 4:53
8 – Calling Londontown – 4:35
9 – You’ve Heard It Before – 4:04
10 – One Of Us – 4:17

Credits
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals – Chris Rodriguez, Dave Mullen, Geoff Moore, Rick Florian
Band [The Distance Is:], Bass – Arlin Troyer
Band [The Distance Is:], Drums – Lang Bliss
Band [The Distance Is:], Guitar – Dale Oliver
Band [The Distance Is:], Keyboards – Tom Reynolds
Design – 5 Penguins Design, Inc.
Engineer [Assistant] – Billy Whittington, Lang Bliss, Scott Davis
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, David Schober
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer – Billy Smiley
Recorded By – David Schober
Recorded By [Additional] – Bill Deaton, Brent King
Vocals – Geoff Moore

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright (c) – The Sparrow Corporation
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Center Stage Studio
Mixed At – Center Stage Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – Paragon Music Corp.
Published By – Birdwing Music
Published By – Martin Noyes Publishing
Published By – Screen Gems-EMI Music Publishing
Published By – Undone Tunes
Published By – Sparrow Song
Published By – New Wings Music
Published By – Greg Nelson Music