I Thought I would start off my first column with the album (yes I mean Vinyl) that first got my attention to Christ.
Hello my fellow metal-heads! I Thought I would start off my first column with the album (yes I mean Vinyl) that first got my attention to Christ. I remember watching a show on MTV, when they played music videos that was called Heavy Metal Mania. It was hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. I had just purchased a new VCR, and was taping everything I could. So needless to say I taped the show and was off doing whatever. When I went back to watch the tape, I caught this band that looked like all my other metal bands, except they looked like giant Bumble Bees! Then I started to listen to their words and I was totally blown away! I had never heard a metal band that was singing about God. I must have watched the video for "Soldiers Under Command" at least a hundred times. Soon after I got the album, God started dealing with my heart and I gave my life over to Christ. If you are a younger metal-head and you think this stuff stinks, I would encourage you to take a good listen. This is how Rock n Roll should be! No Dj (scratchers), no samples, no baggy pants, just pure Rock n Roll power. Let me take you through this awesome album that started a whole generation of Christian Metal!
The album starts off with the title track "Soldiers Under Command", which just totally rocks! The dual guitar work of Michael Sweet and Oz Fox rivaled that of any other metal duo in the 80's in my opinion. Mikes brother Robert, on drums was just a Powerhouse!! He was better than any other drummer in their genre. Finally on bass was my main man Tim Gaines. Tim was always my favorite of the band, since I liked the bass. "Makes Me Wanna Sing" the second track, does just that! With a chorus of "Jesus, King of Kings" how can you go wrong? "Together Forever" is a mid tempo rocker that Robert gets to show off on his drums. Great song about spending eternity with God.
Now... Unfortunately... a lot of the melodic metal bands of the 80's had to do a ballad. Don't ask me why? They just did. I think maybe it was to appeal to the chick (excuse me, female) audience. The song is called "First Love" which being a new Christian at the time, I thought it was just a song about a guy and a girl, but it's about a girl that lived for God and then backslid. Something that I would be familiar with down the road. I like the live version better, which is on their "Live In Japan" video. It's one of their better ballads. The last song on side one is "The Rock that makes me Roll", which was kind of an anthem for all us metal-heads in the 80's. This song just rocks, and will have you banging your head for hours. Side two opens up with a testimonial rocker called "Reach Out" which is just talking about how the guys accepted Christ, and encourage the listener to do the same. Next is "(Waiting For) A Love That's Real", which I probably could do without. It's not that it's a bad song; it just doesn't seem to go with the rest of the album. A lot of people will disagree, but I just think it should have been on another album. Which brings us to... you guessed it! Ballad number two, "Together as One." This song could have just as easily been called the "Wedding Song," which it should have been. It's a good song about spending forever with your significant other. I just think that it should have been on another album. Didn't I already say that once? Good song for a husband and wife just shouldn't be on a rockin album like this. The next to the last track is called "Surrender" which is probably my second favorite on this album right behind "Soldiers Under Command". This song just ROCKS!! It has Michaels high-pitched scream that he is famous for, burning guitar licks, and pounding bass and drums. This song is about giving up everything in your life to serve Christ - which is why they recorded this album in the first place. This song doesn?t hide anything. It tells you exactly what Jesus wants us to do, which is surrender to Him. The last song on the album is Strypers version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic", which makes you wanna run out and buy a flag and a bible all at the same time. This was a great way to end this album, and they would later incorporate it into their live show. What can I say? This album is a must have for any metal-head. It boldly stands up for Christ, and it just ROCKS! Go out and buy this record if you don't have it. Well my fellow Jesus Freaks, this brings me to the close of my first review. Write me and let me know what you think (just be nice). Just kidding. Join me next month when I will review the self-titled album by Broken. Remember... grow your hair long and keep your nose in the WORD!!!! God Bless.
