Tag: Philadelphia

This was the first album from Philadelphia who were out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Apparently the band had been together for quite some time at this point (1984) and actually started in the late 70’s as a secular band. When I was researching this album I was surprised at the reviews. It seems like some people loved the album and some just liked it and a few definitely did not like it. I usually don’t see such a variety of opinions on an album. Well I fall in the like it to love it category. I know I would have loved this album in 1984 but I doubt it ever made it anywhere near Canada so I would never have heard it. Yes I agree with others that the production is thin but I can forgive that because I think the writing is excellent. There is an 8:43 song which I feel is a little over the top but it’s an OK listen. My favourite track is actually the one most people seem to hate. “No Time For Honey” definitely will make my regular rotation playlist, probably once a week.

Tracklist
1 – Tell The Truth – 4:53
2 – Livin’ In Love – 5:26
3 – No Time For Honey – 3:26
4 – No Compromise – 4:01
5 – Razor’s Edge – 5:01
6 – The Life Inside – 3:07
7 – New Jerusalem – 8:43

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Brian Clark
Drums – Brian Martini
Executive Producer – Bill Bafford
Guitar – Phil Scholling, Ronn Flowers
Layout, Design – Scott Waters

Companies, etc.
Record Company – Patmos Records
Manufactured By – Patmos Records
Distributed By – Patmos Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Patmos Records
Copyright © – Moona Music Company

Philadelphia were one of the early Christian metal acts starting out in 1982 though they had been together previously as a secular band called Survivor. This is their second album and was about as poorly as their first which wasn’t good. That reception was not due to the quality of the music, it was due to the early fear of heavy metal music in the Christian genre. Personally I think the album was perfect for the era and I’m surprised it wasn’t better accepted. The original vinyl and cassette are very rare but no numbers were published. Lucky for Philadelphia fans the album was re-released for the first time in 2000 by Millenium Eight Records. This release was limited to only 1500 copies and included 5 new tracks. “Please My Love” and “Kids in America” were recorded during a reunion in 1999, while the 3 live songs, “Warlord”, “Razor’s Edge”, and “One Way Out” were recorded at the Cornerstone Christian music festival in 1986. This playlist includes those tracks. The album was again re-released in 2019 on Roxx Records. This release had reworked album art which is a huge improvement over the original poor art.

Tracklist
1 – Search And Destroy – 6:02
2 – Bobby’s Song – 3:51
3 – Oh My Boy – 5:10
4 – Judgement Day – 3:51
5 – Mirror Man – 3:08
6 – Fastrack – 4:32
7 – Showdown – 4:27
8 – Decision Time – 5:56

2000 CD Release Bonus Tracks
9 – Please My Love – 5:22
10 – Kids In America – 3:55
11 – Warlord – 7:26
12 – Razor’s Edge – 5:57
13 – One Way Out – 5:06

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Brian Clark
Drums – Brian Martini
Executive Producer – Bill Bafford
Guitar – Paul Scholling, Ronn Flowers
Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Mastered By – Rob Colwell