Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The quality and collectability of the best Christian metal albums is demonstrated with the release of this twofer, 1988's 'Atomic Arena' and 1989's 'State Of Control' by one of the music industry major reissue companies Cherry Red. To quote from The Encyclopaedia Of Contemporary Christian Music, "Founded in 1983, Barren Cross was one of Christian music's first true heavy metal bands. They followed close on the heels of Stryper but with a heavier sound, akin to Dio or Iron Maiden. The first three albums (including these two) were produced by John and Dino Elefante and featured Christian metal classics like 'The Stage Of Intensity'. A couple of the songs from the Enigma albums 'Imaginary Music' and 'Cryin' Over You' saw some airplay on MTV. In 1989 the group appeared along with members of Kiss and Anthrax on The Morton Downey Show (a televised tabloid talk show) to discuss the topic of groupies in the rock scene." Sadly, the group's high media profile was not to continue and in 1990 vocalist and guitarist Mike Lee left to front "a secular group" Bare Bones. Different versions of Barren Cross with varying personnel continued to tour but it was a reunion album, 1994's 'Rattle Your Cage', which saw the group get their old fire and Jesus focus back. The band's stated mission "to tell the world of the love of Jesus through heavy music" is clearly demonstrated on both albums and although their evangelistic lyrics are a tad simplistic, they exude passion. Both albums have songs addressing personal problems and social issues. 'Atomic Arena' contains the powerful anti-abortion song "Killers Of The Unborn" while "In The Eye Of The Fire" looks at the scourge of suicide and "Terrorist Child" has a lyric which still speaks to our terror-blighted world today. 'State Of Control' has a song exposing bigotry, "Bigotry Man", a sin the conservative arm of the American church heaped on all Christian heavy metallers of the time, while "Two Thousand Years" is a neat paraphrase of Romans 10: 9. With a detailed sleeve note this is an excellent package recommended to all metal lovers new or ancient.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.