Silence Screams

Description

Silence Screams is the eighth studio album by the American hard rock outfit Resurrection Band (though at this point the band had shortened their name to REZ), independently released on the band’s own label Grrr Records in October 1988, in co-operation with Ocean Records, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Ed Bialach, Roger Heiss, and Roy Montroy at the band’s own Tone Zone Studios in Chicago, Illinois; with Tom Cameron and the band producing.

Bassist Jim Denton, who had been a part of the band since 1974, left before the recording of Silence Screams to study at a theological seminary. Roy Montroy moved in on bass and keyboards, and wrote about half the tunes on the new album as well. According to lead vocalist Glenn Kaiser, the band wanted to reflect in this album “a number of themes that basically boil down to the need for human rights.”

Rez returns to their hard rock roots with this long-awaited release and Rez fans are gonna love it. This album is also the debut product on the newly-formed Grrr Records. (Amy has Myrrh and now Rez has Grrr.) It is also the first hard rock album that will be named Word’s “Album of the Month.”

The title track starts off with an ethereal prelude before kicking into a raunchy blues-based rocker with all the guts and muscle that Rez is known for. Gone are most of the synthesizers Rez experimented with on ‘Hostage‘, and present are the “skin and bones” rock and roll; drums, guitar, and bass. “We’re trying to get back to the feel of ‘Awaiting Your Reply‘,” explains guitarist Glenn Kaiser.

«Waitin’ on Sundown» pulls no punches with social commentary lamenting very greedy, power-hungry landlords in large cities. The message is played the way it should be: with workin’ men’s high-volume rock ‘n’ roll.

«Presence of the Lord», that old Eric Clapton and Blind Faith classic, is resurrected here with a rousing performance.

Rez, who has been a pillar in Christian rock for over a decade, incorporates all their influences in this delicious platter of midwestern hard rock. A band which has been known for putting its ministry where its mouth is, delivers the goods on ‘Silence Screams’. [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, December 1988]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/silence-screams/262535380)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Silence Screams” – 4:11
A2. “You Got Me Rockin'” – 3:13
A3. “Someone Sleeps” – 5:18
A4. “Waitin’ On Sundown” – 4:04
A5. “Presence Of The Lord” – 4:33

Side Two
B1. “Light / Light” – 3:43
B2. “Rain Dance” – 5:03
B3. “Every Waking Hour” – 4:05
B4. “Three Seconds” – 4:36
B5. “You Get What You Choose” – 4:30

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Grrr Records. Re-issued on CD by Grrr Records in 2004. Available at Bandcamp: https://resurrectionband.bandcamp.com/album/silence-screams