Voices in the Night

Description

Voices in the Night is the sophomore album by the American melodic metal band Mass, released on Enigma Records in 1989. The album was produced by Michael Sweet of Stryper fame and the band.

Of all the developments in the current state of Christian metal, probably the most interesting is the relationship of Christian bands and Enigma Records, the label home of early Motley Crue and currently of Smithereens and Stryper.

Produced by Stryper vocalist Michael Sweet, Mass has plenty of metal muscle to flex, but it tends toward a more straight-forward, pop-song format – a la White Lion. ‘Voice in the Night’ has numerous songs that deal directly with salvation, praise and commitment to God, but they’ve also written a common place love song or two, while avoiding the religious onslaught of Stryper songs like «To Hell With the Devil» and «In God We Trust». «Reach For The Sky», «Carry Your Heart», «Follow Me» and «Staying Alive» speak a Christian message most directly, and «Miles Away» deals compassionately with the issues facing teenager runaways.

Mass ends up somewhere between the positive power-pop/metal of White Lion and the dogmatic approach of Stryper, and seemingly has found a comfortable place to make an evangelistic statement and still potentially nail that rare radio hit. Clearly, Stryper and friends are making enroads to take the gospel into musical arenas heretofore unattainable for outspoken Christians. But Mass continues to make me a believer, and not a few others, I suspect. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, May 1989]

Voices In The Night (Retroarchives Edition)

Feeling like the pounding of an army’s marching feet through a vanquished city are the crashing guitars, pounding drums, soaring, screaming male vocals and driving rhythm of Mass. ‘Voices In The Night’, originally released in 1989, barely breaks from full throttle throughout its duration, smashing the listener and probably the music system into submission with its power and dynamism. The Catholic rockers enlisted the help of Michael Sweet of Stryper fame to produce a lesson in how to supply righteous hard rock that both reaches the spot for heavy metal aficionados musically and lyrical content to satisfy Christian requirements. Themes of loss, despair, longing for better on «Voices In The Night» and «Stevie» jostle with and are balanced by hope and salvation in «Reach For The Sky» and «Staying Alive». This album doesn’t preach, it just reflects a better way and indicates a new direction to take. If your ears can take the beating, high volume and energetic air guitar posing are the order of the day to appreciate this at its best. Despite its age this album stands up well in comparison with, say, The Darkness and is a worthy re-issue. [Chris Webb, Cross Rhythms, March 2014]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/voices-in-the-night/1263818894)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Voices In The Night” – 3:48
A2. “Nine Tonight” – 2:50
A3. “Reach For The Sky” – 4:27
A4. “Chance To Love” – 4:00
A5. “Turn It All Around” – 3:45

Side Two
B1. “Carry Your Heart” – 3:48
B2. “Miles Away” – 3:46
B3. “Follow Me” – 3:00
B4. “Call Out Your Name” – 3:41
B5. “Staying Alive” – 3:31

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Enigma Records. Re-issued on CD by Retroactive Records in 2008 and as well in 2012.

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