1991 – Real 80s CCM

Vengeance Rising – Destruction Comes – 1991

This is the third album from Vengeance Rising and at this point the only original member left in the band was Roger Martinez who apparently was very difficult to work with. Joining him on this album are Derek Sean who worked with Mortification, and Chris Hyde the former drummer of Deliverance and Holy Soldier. Neither of them made it onto the next album almost confirming that Martinez was in fact nuts. I will cover his bizarre behaviour in the late 90’sd when I review their next and last album. As for the album it’s a rather typical thrash album. Other reviewers have panned it as having poor production but I’ll be honest I have no idea how you can tell as it all sounds like screaming and strumming to me.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Stop It – 3:13
2 – The Rising – 5:11
3 – Before The Time – 2:57
4 – The Sword – 3:15
5 – He Don’t Own Nothing – 3:07
6 – Countless Corpses – 5:31
7 – Thanatos – 5:04
8 – You Will Bow – 4:09
9 – Hyde Under Pressure – 1:08
10 – Raegoul – 6:51

Credits
Bass – Roger Martinez
Drums – Chris Hyde
Engineer [Assistant] – Brandon Harris, Craig Brock
Engineer [Tracking] – Doug Beiden
Engineer, Mixed By – Gil Morales
Guitar – Derek Sean, Roger Martinez
Mastered By – Eddie Schryer
Producer, Mixed By – Roger Martinez
Synthesizer – Roger Martinez
Vocals – Roger Martinez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Intense Records
Copyright © – Intense Records
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Mixed At – Conway Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Engineered At – Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia

Xalt – History – 1991

The 3rd album from Xalt really turns up the production value. I was actually surprised at the quality of production on this album. When I checked to see who produced it I discovered that he (Tony Miceli) is an unknown in the industry. This in fact was his first production job and he only had a few more after this. He is best known as a vibraphone artist though he did help on keyboards on this album. This album has a very commercial metal sound that I’m sure took some of their fans by surprise. My fav track is “Unconditional Love” which is a rock ballad in the feel of the mid 80’s. It has a real Bon Jovi feel but I do think the vocals are a little weak. That said I believe the talent was there, it just needed a few more takes and a little more effort. All in all a pretty good album here but a little late as it has a mid 80’s feel to me.

Tracklist
1 – Standing – 4:01
2 – Heart Of Stone – 4:31
3 – Babel Again – 3:44
4 – Walk Away – 3:06
5 – Unconditional Love – 5:01
6 – History – 2:57
7 – Build My World – 4:28
8 – The Tree – 4:29
9 – Reflection – 4:16
10 – Lord, Lord – 1:25

Credits
Art Direction – Toni Thigpen
Backing Vocals – John Heald, Scott Doerfler, Tony Miceli
Bass – Randy Carlson
Co-producer, Engineer – Paul Orofino
Design – Dale Wehlacz
Drums – Steve Luongo
Executive-Producer – Dez Dickerson
Guitar – James Erdman
Keyboards – Tony Miceli
Lead Vocals – Scott Doerfler
Mastered By – Roger Seibel
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Tony Miceli

Companies, etc.
Glass Mastered at – Nimbus, Virginia
Recorded At – Millbrook Sound Studios
Mixed At – Millbrook Sound Studios
Mastered At – SAE Mastering

Linda Elias – The Meaning of Love – 1991

I first met Linda Elias at the Frontline Records offices some time in 1989 when Brian Tong (VP) and Mike MacLane (Marketing and A&R) asked me to come over and hear a new artist they had just signed. His name was Rick Elias. I was working for the Benson Company (Frontline’s distributor) and had just moved back from a year in the Washington DC area. Over the years I had grown accustomed to going by the office regularly (when working for Maranatha Village) and listening to the newest music. This was different. This time they called me. There must have been something very special about this new signee, Rick Elias. Much will be discussed regarding Rick as time goes on! And there was! It was there I first met Linda. She was one of the kindest people I had met and I instantly enjoyed talking to her and discovered that she was part of the Confessions (Rick’s band) and had this great, melodic pop voice that was very much in tune with what was happening in music at the time. A little Belinda Carlisle and a little Susanna Hoffs with a sweetness to the voice. I was very excited to hear Linda’s solo project, “The Meaning of Love,” and it did not disappoint. Immediately the album kicks off with a Belinda Carlisle like title track. Like most of the album the song was written by Linda and Rick. Most of the album stays within this same lane, except a real standout with “Your’s and Mine,” a duet with her esteemed singer songwriter husband, Rick. This tune should have been a legitimate mainstream radio hit. The juxtaposition of Linda’s sweet, at times lilty voice and Rick’s strained and edgy style worked so well together. The blatant Gospel message, though, most likely would have doomed it. Special kudos to great sax solo by Li’l Stevie Crum. Solid throughout, it unfortunately was the only release for Linda.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – The Meaning Of Love – 3:38
2 – Don’t Ever Stop – 3:22
3 – Miracle – 3:25
4 – Make My Heart Like Yours – 4:12
5 – My Only One – 3:27
6 – Don’t Take Your Love Away – 4:20
7 – All I Can Do – 4:06
8 – Your’s And Mine – 3:30
9 – Where There’s Love – 3:49
10 – I Believe In You – 3:17

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Rick Elias
Backing Vocals – Dave Jahnsen, Julie Robbins, Linda Elias, Rick Elias
Bass Guitar – Kelly Burns
Design – Lark
Drums – Doug Mathews
Electric Guitar – Glenn Pearce
Engineer – Dave Jahnsen
Executive-Producer – Caesar Kalinowski, Gavin Morkel
Keyboards – Linda Elias, Tim Elias
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Dave Jahnsen, Rick Elias
Photography By – Kevin Break
Piano – Michele Garcia
Producer – Rick Elias
Programmed By [Keyboards], Drum Programming – Tim Elias
Soprano Saxophone – Lil Stevie Crum (tracks: 8)
Vocals – Linda Elias

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Wonderland
Copyright (c) – Wonderland
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – McCrummy Music Studio
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Mastered At – Future Disc
Manufactured By – JVC

Rez – Civil Rites – 1991

The tenth studio album from Resurrection Band pretty well picks up where Innocent Blood left off. They continue their blues rock sound and the album is impeccable produced. Wendi is brought in for a few more vocals than usual on their albums and love her or hate her she does a great job on this album. The lyrics for the album seem to hit more on their social causes pattern with some strong evangelical themes. Lyrically I think this album has more in common with some of their early work but musically it is more of their late 80’s style. I had quit listening to Rez by the time this album came out which is too bad because this is a really good album and I’m glad I got a chance to listen to it all these years later.

Tracklist
1 – Lovespeak – 3:29
2 – Mission Bells – 3:36
3 – Comatose – 3:14
4 – Death Machine – 2:57
5 – Players – 4:17
6 – Lincoln’s Train – 4:42
7 – Hotfootin’ – 2:55
8 – Little Jeanie – 2:44
9 – Footprints – 4:29
10 – Pauper’s Grave – 2:37
11 – In My Room – 4:30
12 – Somebody To Love – 3:01

Credits
Arranged By [All Songs Arranged By] – REZ
Bass, Keyboards – Roy Montroy
Drums – John Herrin
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards – Stu Heiss
Vocals – Wendi Kaiser
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica – Glenn Kaiser
Cover [Cover Art], Design – Dick Randall
Engineer [Engineered By] – Roy Montroy
Engineer [Engineered With] – Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss
Lyrics By – Arlene Maass (tracks: 7), Dave Canfield (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9), Glenn Kaiser (tracks: 11), Jace Seavers (tracks: 2, 4, 10), Jon Trott (tracks: 5)
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Roger Heiss, Roy Montroy
Music By [All Music By] – REZ, Roy Montroy Photography By – Mike Tabor 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.
Mastered At – Future Disc
Pressed By – Disctronics USA – 114435
Published By – Grrr Music
Published By – Irving Music Co.

Ransom – Ransom – 1991

Ransom was started in the mid-eighties as First Aid by bassist Michael Ciado and vocalist Lisa Faxon. The band changed names and produced a 3 song demo in 1988 as Ransom. Shortly after that Intense Records signed them and this is the result. Ransom was one of the few Christian metal bands with a female singer so they stood out on that front. The album has a strong commercial metal sound and is actually quite heavy with ballads which was odd in this genre at the time. I believe that generally ballads were put on albums because that’s what you’re supposed to do. Ransom however actually seemed to like ballads and put more effort into them. As for the album it’s very well produced and all the instrumentation is really good. Songwriting is a little weak at times but this is a first album so that’s not uncommon. Personally I rank it a little better than most reviews of the time but I have always preferred my metal with a commercial slant. The album was re-mastered and re-issued on Intense Millennium Records in 2011 and they included the 3 tracks from their demo as a bonus. I have read that the drummer listed as Randy Kantor was actually Joseph Galletta from Shout but I can’t actually confirm this and there’s some confusion on the issue on different web sites.

Tracklist
1 – Lasting Love – 4:26
2 – Rumors – 4:22
3 – Memories Of You – 3:18
4 – Fool That I Am – 4:26
5 – Break Into Darkness – 3:01
6 – Tonight – 4:17
7 – Etched In Stone – 3:42
8 – Fallen Angel – 5:07
9 – Your Broken Heart – 3:56
10 – I’ll Never Leave You – 4:31
11 – When I Die – 2:44

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Ed Mctaggart
Backing Vocals [Additional] – J.J. Honeycutt, Michael Jolly, Steve Manning
Backing Vocals [Additional], Engineer [Additional Engineering] – Doug Beiden
Backing Vocals [Additional], Keyboards [Additional] – Jim Morris
Bass, Backing Vocals – Michael Ciado
Drums – Randy Kantor
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tony Ortiz
Keyboards – Brent Jeffers (tracks: 6)
Mastered By – John Matousek
Photography By – Michael Seeley
Producer, Engineer, Keyboards [Additional Musician] – Jim Morris
Technician [Technical Director] – Tracy Henry
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Lisa Faxon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Intense Records (10)
Copyright (c) – Intense Records (10)
Recorded At – Mixing Lab A
Mixed At – Mixing Lab A
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B
Mixed At – Mixing Lab B
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Mastered At – Soundworks West

Haven – Age Of Darkness – 1991

This is the second album from Haven and in my opinion they kept their style but corrected the problems with the first album. First of all they kept their quality vocals and continued to avoid screaming. They also didn’t commercial up the sound with keyboards as so many metal bands are tempted to do on second release. There is piano but it is well done and respectful to the style of music they were doing. I always respect a band that stays true to their style on a second album. I believe that often record companies want to “commercialize” up a second album but not here. R.E.X. Music let the guys do what they do well. You will notice that several tracks are quite long and usually a record label tries to talk bands out of doing that but not here. It really looks like they let the guys just do their thing. The one area that things were greatly improved on this album was the engineering and production. So here it is, an honest straight forward metal album that you will enjoy.

Tracklist
1 – Tenacious Volition – 1:14
2 – Divination – 4:46
3 – When You Said Goodbye – 5:30
4 – Holly – 5:15
5 – Exaltation – 1:06
6 – The Witching Hour – 7:00
7 – Seance – 5:17
8 – Spend My Life With You – 5:21
9 – Unchanging Love – 4:57
10 – Blood Of The Lamb – 4:42
11 – Once Upon A Time – 3:10

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Ed Bruner, John Farrell, Kevin Ayers
Artwork – Jeff Spencer
Bass Guitar – Ed Bruner
Engineer – Johns Thomson, Tom Tatman
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Guitar – Andrew Bruner, John Farrell, Kevin Ayers
Mixed By – Tom Tatman
Piano – Ed Bruner
Producer – Kevin Ayers, Kurt Bachman
Vocals – Kevin Ayers

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Copyright (c) – R.E.X. Music Inc.
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDX-011615

Mad At The World – Boomerang – 1991

Mad At The World continue their new Rock sound for their 4th album. I have to admit that the sound and style is growing on me and they are much better at it on this album than their previous. I guess no discussion of this album would be complete without discussing or at least pointing out the controversy over the track entitled “Isn’t Sex A Wonderful Thing?”. However as were all grown up now and know that the title of a song does not represent the message of the song I’m not going to explain my interpretation. You are all adults and can listen to it and figure it out on your own. That said this silly controversy did effect the distribution of this album but hey, it was the 80’s and remember a lot of people in Christian music were terrified of controversy. I found it interesting that they rerecorded “No More Innocence” in their new style as I don’t think I’ve ever seen that done before. Both versions are great.

Tracklist
1 – House Of Sin – 2:34
2 – If You Listen – 3:19
3 – Back To You – 3:21
4 – Don’t Give Up – 3:07
5 – Ballad Of Adam And Eve – 3:33
6 – Sunday – 3:08
7 – Draggin’ The Chains – 4:11
8 – All These Question – 4:31
9 – Isn’t Sex A Wonderful Thing? – 4:47
10 – No More Innocence (Reprise) – 4:04

Credits
Arranged By, Engineer [Engineered By] – Roger Rose
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Bass – Mike Pendleton
Design – Joe Potter
Illustration – Brent Gordon
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Brent Gordon
Mastered By – John Matousek
Photography By – Wayne Armstrong
Producer [Produced By] – Roger Rose
Vocals, Drums – Randy Rose
Vocals, Guitar – Roger Rose
Written-By – Roger Rose

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Alarma Records
Copyright (c) – Alarma Records
Record Company – Frontline Music Group
Distributed By – FMG Distribution
Recorded At – MATW Studios
Mixed At – MATW Studios
Mastered At – Soundworks West
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Ken Tamplin – Soul Survivor – 1991

You could never say that Ken Tamplin was lazy. Between Joshua, Magdallan, Shout, and his solo projects his fans were never left wanting for an album. This is his second (if you count Ken Tamplin & Friends) solo project though there were very few “friends” on this album as he played almost all of the instruments on all the track himself though he did have some help on a few tracks. For this album Ken turned it down a little bit from Ken Tamplin & Friends. This is a more straight up Rock & Roll album with very few hints of Metal. As I start listening to Ken’s 90’s stuff I get the feeling my favourite album by him is going to constantly evolve. But for now this is my favorite. So if you like straight up Rock & Roll, this album is a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – Media Mania – 4:17
2 – (I’m Gonna) Live Forever – 3:36
3 – Hard Times Comin’ – 3:37
4 – Stand Up – 4:29
5 – Midnight ‘N Peru – 3:15
6 – Take It Now (Or Nothing) – 3:09
7 – Love’s Eternal Road – 4:16
8 – Stay By My Side – 3:25
9 – Come And Save Me – 4:02
10 – Heart And Soul – 3:07

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Ken Tamplin, Scott Van Zen
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Ken Tamplin, Vicki Lyn Reynolds
Bass – Ken Tamplin, Roger Mielke, Scott van Zen
Design – Joe Potter
Drums – Ken Tamplin
Harmonica – Jimmy Woods
Keyboards – Roger Mielke
Lead Guitar – Ken Tamplin, Scott Van Zen
Lead Vocals – Ken Tamplin
Mixed By – Ken Tamplin
Percussion – Ken Tamplin
Photography By – Nigel Skeet
Producer – Ken Tamplin
Rhythm Guitar – Ken Tamplin, Scott Van Zen
Saxophone – Jergen Swartz

Halo – Heaven Calling – 1991

This was the second and final studio album from Halo though there would be a release in 2020. The album was again produced by the Elefante brothers but they did turn it back a notch on the Rock & Roll meter and slightly towards the Pop meter. As with almost all Elefante projects the production is excellent and this is one of the best albums of 1991. Personnel changes had Barry Graul replacing Keith Mims on guitar which sounds like an even trade to me. There was another album being recorded after this one but it waited until 2020 with some effort by Girder Records to get it released. Lead singer Scott Springer did go on to release an album in 1993 though I will admit I haven’t listened to it yet. Anyway if you missed this one in the 90’s give it a listen now, it really was and is a great album.

Tracklist
1 – Jacob’s Dream – 4:36
2 – It’s Your Decision – 4:20
3 – Saved By Grace – 4:19
4 – Heaven Calling – 4:40
5 – Thy Will Be Done – 4:03
6 – Secret To Love – 4:38
7 – Climb The Mountain – 3:59
8 – Eye Of The Storm – 4:48
9 – Man From Galilee – 4:03
10 – My Buddy – 4:16

Credits
Backing Vocals, Engineer, Mixed By – Doug Beiden
Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals – Scott Springer
Drums, Keyboards, Vocals – Mike Graham
Engineer [Assistant] – J.R. McNeely
Guitar [Additional] – Glen Pearce
Guitar, Vocals – Barry Graul
Lap Steel Guitar – Ron Eglett
Mandolin – Larry Meyers
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Producer, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Engineer, Mixed By – John Elefante
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Dino Elefante
Voice [“My Buddy” Prayer] – Wesley Springer (tracks: 10)

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word Music, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word Music, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word Music, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Published By – Dayspring Music
Published By – Uncle Pitts Publishing
Published By – Nimbus Music

One Bad Pig – I Scream Sunday – 1991

This is the fourth studio album for the Pigs. At this point I think the style was starting to wear a bit thin on some fans judging from what I have read. I was never a big fan of their style so I can’t really judge. That said this album has a highlight of a cover of a Johnny Cash song with Johnny Cash on vocals. Pretty cool actually. I am not really a fan of their style but I was able to enjoy “For A Good Man” which is a real song. Well my definition of a real song, your mileage may vary. But the bottom line on this album is that if your a fan of their quirky thrash style this album should satisfy your listening yearnings.

Tracklist
1 – Take A Look At Yourself – 4:22
2 – You’re A Pagan – 2:18
3 – I Scream Sunday – 3:14
4 – Man In Black – 3:00
5 – Not Love Money – 4:18
6 – Cut Your Hair – 5:11
7 – For A Good Man – 4:05
8 – Ice Cream Sundae – 2:03
9 – Bird Nest – 3:06
10 – Up The Nose – 0:55
11 – Spirit Of Murder – 4:58
12 – Sober Up – 2:42
13 – Pad Thai – 0:20
14 – Never Forget The Cross – 4:22
15 – Wholly My Lord – 3:50

Credits
A&R – Mark Maxwell
Bass, Vocals – Daniel Tucek
Drums, Vocals – Philip Owens
Engineer [Second Engineer] – Pasquale DelViaggio, Roy Gamble, Shawn McLean
Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Lee Groitzsch
Guitar, Vocals – Paul Q-Pek
Lead Vocals [Lead Screamer Vocals] – Carey “Kosher” Womack
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Producer, Mixed By – Billy Smiley

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Word, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Word, Inc.
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters