Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

Roxx Records have set about remastering and re-releasing some of the classic Christian metal albums from the early '90s. The Moshketeers were based in New Mexico and originally formed as an '80s metal band, Rapture. At that time they played alongside Barren Cross and Sacred Warrior. Their sound evolved into thrash and along the way they changed their band name. The Moshketeers independently releasing demo cassette tapes and a full length release, 'The Downward Spiral' (1991). The band would begin touring and released another cassette demo in 1997 with four new songs that were supposed to be from an upcoming full length album, which never materialised. The original line-up was Paul Scozzafava (vocals and guitar), Michael Parkin (bass) and Rob Hildago (drums). Alan Tuma was the guest drummer on "Self Extinction". This album has the entire 1997 demo as bonus tracks. By this time the line-up was Paul Scozzafava (vocals and guitar), Sean Daly (bass) and Alan Tuma (drums). In one of those unlikely twists, Alan Tuma joined the thrash band Ultimatum in 2007, they covered "Locked In Chains" and interest in the band was revitalised. The ranting chorus is "The unquenched flame/It calls your name/Locked in chains/Hell awaits/Blatant hypocrisy/Blaspheme his name/Not Satanic you claim/Deceived by your own LIES/You fools!". 'The Downward Spiral' is packaged with new cover art, liner notes by Scott Waters (Ultimatum's vocalist) and given a limited pressing of 1,000 copies.

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.