Ultimate Metal

Description

Ultimate Metal is a multi-artist compilation released on StarSong Records in 1989, distributed by Sparrow/Star Song Distribution. It was followed up by Ultimate Metal 2 released the following year.

Going by the title of this compilation album, we are led to believe that this section of music represents the very best in white metal. Yet where are Bride, Leviticus, Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Saint or Zion? And some of the bands who are there like Petra and One Bad Pig just do not fit the album concept. Still, there is some good, tough metal here. The best tracks are Sacred Warrior’s «Sword Of Victory», Vengeance’s «Burn» and Masterdon’s «It’s A Jungle Out There». It’s a shame though that the Messiah Prophet track «Blinded» is unrepresentative of their Master Of The Metal’ album. On the whole the album really is a very good buy with not one poor song in sight. The oldest song on the album was released in 1985 by Rez, «Shadows» a classic example of Christian hard rock. Other bands included are Shout (who have now broken up) led by Ken Tamplin of Joshua fame, Neon Cross, Scarlet Red, Whitecross and Rage Of Angels (who, sadly, no longer consider themselves to be a Christian band). A reasonable album, but definitely not the ultimate in the genre. [Dave Williams, Cross Rhythms, May 1990]

Ultimate – rock / metal / dance / rap

Remember the time you were watching late night TV and the K-Tel like offer came on – you know, “wouldn’t it be great to have this fabulous collection of (fill in the blank – hits, slow dance songs, classic rock) in your own home? They’re great for parties” – and you thought, “Yeah, I can have all this fabulous (remember, it’s late) music in my own home for one low price. It’d be great for parties.” Well, evidently Dan Hickling (one of the great unsung heros behind the scenes of Christian rock) has had insomnia of late, and the result are these collections of Christian music so you can have all this fabulous (fill in the blank – rock, dance, metal and rap) music in your own home. It’ll be great for parties.

Actually, inspite of some problem with the word “ultimate,” and some occasional arguments with the choices in some of the categories – Petra actually has a song on three of these collections, thank God Bob Hartman doesn’t rap; and who decided the fossilized ones and Mylon & Brokenfoot should be on a dance album?! – this turns out to be a good investment, especially if you’re a relative newcomer to Christian music, or are interested in hearing a good sampling of what’s happening in metal or rap or. . . , but don’t want to buy albums by a half dozen artists without first a look see.

The ‘Ultimate Rock’ and ‘Ultimate Metal’ collections fare best, but we’ve been intentional about both of these forms for some time. ‘Rock’ works the way Christian radio ought to, in fact, in leu of the absence of any substantial Christian rock programming keep the tape near your car stereo and be grateful no stupid dj keeps interrupting the jams. I was especially grateful to see Dave Perkins and Undercover included here, and generally the selections are perfect. It’s great that StarSong didn’t feel a need to deliver a collection from their own label, but went after strong songs, no matter who owned them. Maybe here Geoff Moore and Steve Taylor’s «Jim Morrison’s Grave» will get the exposure they deserve.

‘Metal’ features a previously unreleased track from Messiah Prophet, and here as with Neon Cross, Scarlet Red, Vengeance and Rage of Angels, the choices present these relative newcomers in there best possible selections. Someone did their homework. Consistent from start to finish, perhaps because we all know what “metal” is, but we have more trouble defining “rock,” it’s the best package of the four.

‘Rap’ and ‘Dance’ would have been all but impossible even two years ago, and thus without a broad range of material to choose from are spotty and less than focused. With ‘Rap’ it’s more an issue of quality, and thanks to P.I.D, E.T.W. and J.C. and the Boyz’ recent endeavors things here sound a lot better. It’s also nice to see Stephen Wiley’s 1985 and ’86 efforts given exposure, that was early for Christian music. On the other hand, who ever picked the tracks for ‘Dance’, probably doesn’t. While the remix of Steve Taylor’s «This Disco» works, as do tunes by Adam Again, Bebe and Cece Winans, (surprisingly) Bryan Duncan, and Tim Miner, the rest require a good remixing or elimination.

Now, shouldn’t we save the word “ultimate” for something a little classier than this? [Brian Q. Newcomb, Harvest Rock Syndicate, No. 4, 1989 (Volume 4)]

CD tracklist:

01. Mastedon – It’s A Jungle Out There (from the album It’s A Jungle Out There, Regency 1989)
02. Shout – Faith, Hope & Love (from the album In Your Face, Frontline 1989)
03. Messiah Prophet – Blinded (previously unreleased, recorded by Charlie Clark with an all new line up post-Master of the Metal)
04. Sacred Warrior – Sword of Victory (from the album Rebellion, Intense/Frontline 1988)
05. Neon Cross – Heartbreaker (from the album Neon Cross, Regency 1988)
06. Scarlet Red – You Live Fast (from the album Don’t Dance With Dancer, Pure Metal/Refuge 1989)
07. Whitecross – Living In A Lost World (from the album Hammer & Nail, Pure Metal/Refuge 1988)
08. Petra – All Fired Up (from the album On Fire!, StarSong 1988)
09. Vengeance – Burn (from the album Human Sacrifice, Intense/Frontline 1988)
10. Rage of Angels – Do You Still Believe In Love (from the album Rage of Angels, Regency 1989)
11. Rez – Shadows (from the album Between Heaven ‘N Hell, Sparrow 1985)
12. One Bad Pig – Let’s Be Frank (from the album Smash, Pure Metal/Refuge 1989)

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.