Formed as a heavy metal band in the mid-80's under the name Rapture. The band eventually changed their name to The Moshketeers in 1989 to coincide with their progression into a thrash metal band.
Formed as a heavy metal band in the mid-80's under the name Rapture. The band
eventually changed their name to The Moshketeers in 1989 to coincide with their
progression into a thrash metal band.
The Moshketeers - Downward Spiral (independent) 1991
1. "Sin" (3:35)
2. "The Downward Spiral" (3:54)
3. "Locked In Chains" (3:03)
4. "Ye" (2:02)
5. "The Myth" (5:23)
6. "Self Extinction" (4:27)
7. "Epicurus" (5:18)
8. "Posers of Deceit" (2:47)
9. "Grease The Duck" (3:34)
10. "Nightmares" (5:15)
11. "The Life Of Emptiness" (3:29)
I was in my early 20's when I graduated from college, got married, and moved to the state of New Mexico, where I knew nobody. I was driving to work one morning and happened to get stopped at a red light. While sitting there, I saw a poster stappled to a telephone pole for a metal concert featuring a band called Rapture. Someone had taken a marker and put a big C in front of the band's logo making the band "CRapture". Ha! Pretty funny. I had never heard of Rapture at that point, but they looked cool, so I decided to check 'em out. To my surprise and delight, Rapture were an excellent metal band combining elements of classic metal, speed metal and thrash. Their singer/guitarist was a short dude in comparison to the rest of his band, with hair that was as long as he was tall. He commanded the stage and knew how to handle an audience. Their bassist was tall with long blond hair and a monster of a musician. Their drummer seemed to effortlessly put forth those furious double bass assaults. I was impressed. I immediately ordered their "Vacation from Hell" tape from a magazine from a guy named Randy Rocker. Unfortunately the tape never showed up, although my check was cashed. Bummer!
I continued to check these guys out whenever they played in town. They continued to get more popular over time, touring with band like Barren Cross and opening for the likes of Sacred Warrior. Their new songs continued into thrashier terrain and moved away from the classic metal sound. Eventually, Rapture played their last show at Calvary Chapel, Albuquerque, and announced that they were changing their name to The Moshketeers. It was a funny name, yet it worked for their sound. It was the late 1980's and thanks to bands like Anthrax thrash had began to incorporate more humor and those colorful Bermuda shorts. This was the direction that The Moshketeers were taking. Every time they played a local show, it was packed with fans. Eventually they put out another four song demo, which I also purchased. We were all sure that these guys would be the next big Christian thrash band, along with guys like Deliverance, Believer, The Crucified, and Vengeance Rising. The Moshketeers were opening for many of these bands and pulling in just about as many fans. Rumors began flying that the Moshketeers were signing with Intense Records, who were also home to some of the aforementioned bands. Rumors and speculations as to what happened have been around for years, but suffice it to say that it just never happened.
In the meantime the band released their full length album "Downward Spiral". This tape featured 11 slabs of prime speed metal and thrash. In my opinion, they sounded like no other thrash band. They incorporated elements of doom ("Self Extinction"), groove ("Grease the Duck") and classic metal ("Nightmares") but were mostly good old American thrash metal. The songs weren't overly technical, but the riffs were unique and somewhat complicated, aided by some outstanding bass work and shredding guitar solos. Paul Scozzafava, along side being a guitarist and singer, was also a preacher. That came across loud and clear in their lyrics. The Moshketeers were unashamed of their faith in Christ, even when sharing the stage with bands like Testament. While nostalgia of a popular local band probably colors my opinion of this album, I have always considered "The Downward Spiral" to be a solid platter from beginning to end. Favorite tracks are "Locked in Chains", "The Myth", "Posers of Deceit", "Nightmares", "The Life of Emptiness" and longtime concert favorite "Ye". "Ye" features a hilariously silly guitar solo that the band milked on the stage. Guitarist Paul Scozzafava is far from a slacker when it comes to lead playing. Unfortunately those not pivy to the joke misunderstood the silliness and ragged on the band for this guitar solo. One listen to the solos in tracks like "Posers of Deceit" and "The Life of Emptiness" should convince any skeptic of Paul's ability to tear up a fretboard.
"The Downard Spiral" has always been one of my favorite albums. Decades later and I still play it frequently. I have hoped for years that it would get a proper CD release, perhaps with some bonus tracks from the many demos the band recorded over they years. Remastering is certainly in order. As of 2006 it still hasn't happened, although thankfully, Paul burned me a CDR copy.
The Moshketeers broke up for a spell, then in the mid 1990's Paul reformed the band with new members, performed a handful of shows, opening for Ultimatum and P.O.D. They released what was suppose to be a "pre-release" demo. Unfortunately that was as far as they got. Another full length album was never released and the band split. Paul became a full time preacher and is now pastor of Calvary Chapel in Santa Fe, NM.