California Metal

Description

California Metal is a multi-artist compilation featuring various American metal bands, released on Regency Records in 1987. “Produced and engineered by The Pakaderm Company with Bob Beeman. Special thanks to Dino, John and Mike.” A follow-up compilation was released the next year, simply entitled California Metal – Volume II.

Once upon a time in (where else?) California, a bunch of young people began singing about the old rugged cross to some newfangled music. They hailed from a new church and a unique pastor who accepted them and preached to them the way no one else had.

Today, the history of contemporary Christian music is repeating itself, except now it isn’t long haired hippie-types strumming acoustic guitars and singing, «Jesus Is the Answer». Now more than 100 bands of guys in black leather, spikes, and studs mix thunderous heavy metal chops with lyrics about light in the darkness.

What comes around goes around. And if you want proof, check out ‘California Metal’, a 10-song album featuring six Christian metal bands who call Redondo Beach’s Sanctuary church home.

‘California Metal’ provides a sneak preview of two bands with albums on the way, and gives a public audition to four newer bands yet to be signed on any record company’s dotted line. The results are both historically significant and musically exciting.

The three cuts by the two signed bands are solid. «Deadlock» by Barren Cross, and «Marching On» and «Spiritual Warfare» by Gardian, show why both bands are signed to Enigma, home of the heavenly metal standard bearers – Stryper.

Gardian’s sonic assault belies their time in the trenches. These guys have paid their dues in the clubs of So. Cal., and it shows. And their lyrics indicate a commitment to ministry.

Set to a nice, quiet organ accompaniment, the words to Gardian’s «Marching On» would get an amen in any church: “Marching on/ On through all the years/ Marching on/ Through the pain and tears/ Marching on/ Hold the truth up high/ Marching on/ The crown of Life our prize.” Likewise, «Spiritual Warfare» pulls no punches: “The voice of God has firmly spoke/ The Scriptures speak so loud and clear/ Our fight is not against flesh and blood/ But against the evil powers in the air.”

One of ‘California Metal’s nicest surprises is «Wasn’t It Love», a tasty entree by Mastedon. Written by John and Dino Elefante, the album’s producers and engineers, this song combines a memorable melody and hook-laden power chords – a real treat in an album dominated by lots of licks but little that one can whistle even a few brief moments later. We’re 90 percent certain we hear the voice and keyboard work of John Elefante on this cut, but no matter who these mysterious musicians are, we’re 100 percent certain we’d like to hear more.

The remaining six songs by Neon Cross, Deliverance, and Hero give headbangers plenty to bang about, but won’t excite those with sensitive ears.

Will the Sanctuary churches be the Calvary Chapels of the 1990s? Is pastor Bob Beeman the Chuck Smith of the heavy metal crowd? Ten years from now will our churches’ praise choruses be replaced by hard-rocking anthems? Will choir robes be replaced by leather and studs?

We don’t know. After all, this is only supposed to be a simple album review. But you can bet we’ll be keeping our eyes open, and ‘California Metal’ is one of the more interesting milestones on the road to tomorrow’s music we’ve seen yet. [Steve Rabey and Devlin Donaldson, CCM, March 1988]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. Barren Cross – “Deadlock” – 4:33
A2. Gardian – “Marching On” – 3:38
A3. Neon Cross – “I Need Your Love” – 3:06
A4. Hero – “I Surrender” – 3:47
A5. Deliverance – “A Space Called You” – 3:51

Side Two
B1. Mastedon – “Wasn’t It Love” – 4:42
B2. Gardian – “Spiritual Warfare” – 4:13
B3. Deliverance – “Attack” – 3:44
B4. Hero – “Sing It Out” – 3:02
B5. Neon Cross – “Son Of God” – 4:16

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Regency Records.