Unveiled

Description

Whitecross is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band Whitecross, released on R.E.X. Music in 1994. The album was recorded by Richie Biggs at The Bennett House and Allies Recording Studio in Franklin, Tennessee; with Jimmie Lee Sloas producing. Mixed by Biggs at Shakin’ Studios.

It’s always a little awkward when long-time band members part ways; there’s a kind of “well, who gets to keep the dog?” mentality. In this case, founding guitarist Rex Carroll has left to form King James, while vocalist Scott Wenzel has kept the established moniker and recruited two new players; Mike Feighan returns on drums, while the guitar and bass chairs are filled by Barry Graul and Tracy Ferrie, respectively. The result is that the new Whitecross has made as strong an album as it’s made in years. These new comrades mix their hard rock sensibilities with more accessible pop hooks on this brilliant reinvention of the classic Whitecross sound – with echoes of groups from Led Zeppelin to The Beatles in evidence. Songwriting assistance from folks like producer Jimmy Lee Sloas (PFR, Randy Stonehill), Keoni, Cindy Morgan (!) and Rick Cua has undoubtably influenced the pop-oriented accessibility of many tracks; yet there’s not a wimpy note on the project, even the Morgan-penned ballad, «Angel’s Disguise»

Thematically, the Whitecross emphasis on ministry is still quite evident, whether to Christians («Come Into the Light», «I Keep Prayin’») or non-believers («Right Before Your Eyes», «If You Believe»). Notable changes in the sound include an increased emphasis on backing vocals; the layered harmonies, provided by Ferrie and Feighan, are especially tight. In addition to the aforementioned outside songwriting help, for his own tunes Wenzel relied on the input of the band, something he and Carroll did not often do in the past. As a result, Whitecross functions as a unit, playing with an intensity that only comes from feeling that your opinion makes a difference. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, September 1994]

CD tracklist:

01. Frank
02. If You Believe
03. Home In Heaven
04. Good Bye Cruel World
05. Angel’s Disguise
06. I Keep Prayin
07. Come Unto The Light
08. Groove
09. King Of Angels
10. Salt City
11. Right Before Your Eyes
12. No Other Love

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by R.E.X. Music. Remastered and re-issued as Limited Edition (1000 units) by Retroactive Records ‎in 2005 featuring two bonus tracks from the original 1986 Whitecross demo that got the band signed to Pure Metal Records; “He Is The Rock” and “Lookin’ For A Reason”.