W H
I T E C R O S S
Whitecross formed in Chicago in 1986, releasing their self-titled
heavy metal EP. Regular lineup changes plagued the group virtually from its
inception, but the duo of vocalist Scott Wenzel and guitarist Rex Carroll remained
constant until 1993 when Rex Carroll split to form King
James with two ex-Stryper members.
After Rex left, Whitecross continued with just Scott Wenzel, but without Rex
it wasn't Whitecross!
Whitecross (Pure Metal) 1987
1. "Who
Will You Follow" (3:59)
2. "Enough is Enough" (4:01)
3. "He is the Rock" (4:33)
4. "Lookin' for a Reason" (3:30)
5. "You're Mine" (4:00)
6. "No Way I'm Going Down" (4:08)
7. "Seein' Is Believing" (4:34)
8. "All I Need" (4:10)
9. "Nagasake" [instrumental] (1:47)
10. "Signs of the End" (3:59)
Whitecross' debut was a blast in 1987. Back then I was a new Christian and there weren't a whole lot of Christian bands, save for Bloodgood and Stryper. Whitecross were a bit more raw sounding than either of those bands, taking on a sound not unlike the first Ratt album. This is especially true of vocalist Scott Wenzel whose raspy vox parallel those of Stephen Pearcy. Perhaps by today's metal standards this disc would be considered light in comparison, but I still enjoy listening to it two decades later. "Enough 'nuff, enough is enough, no more white lies it's time to hang tough..." There is just too much fun to be had here! As with every Whitecross album up until about 1993, the band's debut featured a blazin' guitar instrumental. The instrumental on this album is titled "Nagasake" and is heavily inspired by Eddie Van Halen. Another trend that would unfortunately follow the band is the ballad. While I can relate to the lyrics in the band's ballads, the music is out of place and just doesn't seem to flow with the rest of the album. Other than that minor complaint, Whitecross is a classic of the Christian metal genre. This disc was originally released on the independent Pure Metal label that was later purchased by Star Song. Whitecross is now out of print and is a hot commodity on eBay.
At the beginning of the instrumental "Nagasake" there are some faint mumbling that if played in reverse state, "Trust in the Lord, Trust in the Lord".
Whitecross - The $6.98 EP-Love on the Line (Pure Metal) 1988
1. "Love
on the Line"
2. "I Believe"
3. "No Way I'm Going Down"
4. "Enough is Enough"
An original cassette copy of the band's first EP. This particular album has yet to see the light of day on CD, at least in Europe and America. I have read that it was released as bonus tracks on the Japanese version of the debut. In anycase, two of the four tracks here are from for the band's full length debut. Of the two new songs, "Love on the Line" is a prime Whitecross heavy metal number. The other track, "I Believe," is a blues based rocker with Rex Carroll taking over lead vocals for the first (an only?) time in Whitecross' history.
Whitecross - Hammer & Nail (Pure Metal) 1988
1. "Living on the
Edge" (5:11)
2. "When the Walls Tumble Down" (3:32)
3. "Hammer and the Nail" (1:35)
4. "Take It to the Limit" (4:09)
5. "Walk with Me" (4:44)
6. "Because of Jesus" (3:40)
7. "When the Clock Strikes" (4:34)
8. "Resist Him" (4:20)
9. "Living in a Lost World" (3:51)
10. "Top of the World" [instrumental] (3:33)
Whitecross' "Hammer & Nail" is a classic heavy metal platter. Rex Carroll is a total shred-head. Scott Wenzel has a cool heavy metal voice, but I still think thy sound like Ratt.
Whitecross - Triumphant Return (Pure Metal) 1989
1. "Attention
Please" (3:55)
2. "Red Light" (4:32)
3. "Straight Thru the Heart" (3:57)
4. "Down" (4:01)
5. "Behold" (4:35)
6. "Shakedown" (4:16)
7. "Flashpoint" [instrumental] (1:30)
8. "Simple Man" (4:21)
9. "Over the Top" (4:18)
10. "Heaven's Calling Tonight" (4:16)
Whitecross' third full length disc continues in the LA heavy metal tradition, sounding like a mixture of Ratt and Whitesnake. With each album Whitecross continues to improve in the song writing department. Of course as is the trend with Rex Carroll, there is the obligatory guitar solo "Flashpoint." "Simple Man" is an acoustic ballad with Rex Carroll taking over lead vocals. "Red Light" sounds like something off of Ratt's "Out of the Cellar." Overall, one of Whitecross' better albums.
Whitecross - In the Kingdom (Star Song) 1991
1. "No
Second Chances" (4:43)
2. "We Know What's Right" (6:05)
3. "In The Kingdom" (5:19)
4. "In His Hands" (3:36)
5. "Good Enough" (3:58)
6. "Love is Our Weapon" (4:40)
7. "The Eternal Fire" [instrumental] (2:00)
8. "You Will Find It There" (6:00)
9. "If He Goes Before Me" (4:12)
10. "Can You Tell Me the Time" (4:29)
11. "Holy War" (5:54)
By this time Whitecross were no longer a heavy metal band, but were forced into a pop-metal direction by their label. It worked for them at the time as this album scored a Dove Award as well as several awards from readers polls in magazines like CCM and Heaven's Metal. Rex Carroll's signature guitar solos still penetrated every song, and like every past Whitecross album, there is the obligatory guitar solo ("The Eternal Fire"). Despite the direction Whitecross decided to take, their music still was well played and contained enough crunch to appease the older fans. There are loads of 'guest' musicians on this disc including former Outlaws bassist Rick Cua, who actually performs all the bass on this disc. Christian rappers D.O.C. lend a hand in the rap-rock anthem "Holy War." Also on hand to do some background vocals was Rez's Glenn Kaiser and Sacred Warrior's Rey Perra and Steve Watkins. My copy is autographed by Rex Carroll.
Whitecross - High Gear (Star Song) 1992
1. "High
Gear" (3:26)
2. "Dancin' In Heaven" (5:14)
3. "In America" (3:45)
4. "Overdrive" [instrumental] (2:01)
5. "Without Your Love" (4:08)
6. "Coming Home" (4:08)
7. "My Love" (5:15)
8. "I'm Asking You Today" (4:16)
9. "Gonna Keep In" (4:02)
10. "I Shout" (4:20)
11. "Long Road to Walk" (6:23)
I sort of gave up on Whitecross at this point. I was really wanting heavy metal and Whitecross were being forced more and more into pop terrains that didn't peak my interest at the time. However, I still purchased "High Gear" as a new release and enjoyed it from time to time, even if it wasn't what I was hoping for. Songs like the title cut, "Dancin' in Heaven" and "Long Road to Walk" are actually good, catchy songs. Also what would a Whitecross album be without the mandatory Rex Carroll guitar solo, this time titled "Overdrive". In reality, "High Gear" wasn't a bad release. I just think the problem was that Star Song was pushing Scott and Rex to make radio singles and what they did was to strip Whitecross of their signature sound. Scott Wenzel's distinct voice is still present and Rex is still the man behind the axe, but the songwriting and production were just a bit to slick for this long time fan. Unfortunately, this would be the last album to feature Rex Carroll, who was not only the bands guitarist, but their co-founder and their main song writer. In reality, this should have been the last Whitecross album. Rex went on to form King James as well as release a few solo albums. Scott also recorded a couple solo albums and continued to carry the banner for Whitecross taking the band into even poppier territories.
Whitecross - Unveiled (R.E.X.) 1994
1. "Frank" [intro]
(:20)
2. "If You Believe" (5:00)
3. "Home in Heaven" (3:05)
4. "Good Bye Cruel World" (5:32)
5. "Angel's Disguise" (4:06)
6. "I Keep Prayin" (4:36)
7. "Come Unto the Light" (4:21)
8. "Groove" [instrumental] (:32)
9. "King of Angels" (3:52)
10. "Salt City" (3:32)
11. "Right Before Your Eyes" (4:05)
12. "No Other Love" (4:29)
This was the CD that unveiled the "new" Whitecross after the departure of Rex Carroll from the band. Without Rex, cofounder and main songwriter for Whitecross, this album really should have been released under a different name. Scott Wenzel never could capture the Whitecross sound on his own. Whitecross will forever be known as Rex and Scott not matter how many albums they put out without Rex. However, for a melodic rock album, this really isn't too bad. "Home in Heaven" is an excellent song."Angel's Disguise" sounds like a typical Whitecross ballad. "I Keep Praying" is actually one of Whitecross' better ballads, although I thought it kind of odd that there are two ballads in a row. Still this song is a perfect CCM single. "Come Into the Light" has a nice groove and a heavy guitar crunch. "Groove" is a short funky bass and drum instrumental that sounds like an unfinished song and acts as an opening to the next track. "King of Angels" is a smokin' rocker that sounds like a song that actually could have fit on "High Gear" or "In the Kingdom". This song even includes some guitar shredding on the outro of the song. Likewise, "Right Before Your Eyes" doesn't stray far from the radio rock of the last couple of Whitecross platters. All things taken into consideration and despite the fact that this isn't the heavy metal that Whitecross are known for this is a decent rock 'n' roll CD. I also like the cover quite a bit.
Whitecross - Nineteen Eighty Seven (Girder Music) 2005
1. "Who Will You Follow" (4:32)
2. "Enough Is Enough" (4:34)
3. "He Is The Rock" (4:50)
4. "Lookin' For A Reason" (3:36)
5. "No Way I'm Goin' Down" (4:57)
6. "Seein' Is Believin'" (4:45)
7. "All I Need" (4:19)
8. "Nagasake" [instrumental] (1:55)
9. "Signs Of The End" (4:14)
10. "Love on the Line" (6:11)
11. "Reanimate" [instrumental] (4:03)
BONUS TRACKS
12. "Enough is Enough" [studio outtake] (:58)
13. "No Way I'm Goin' Down" [studio outtake] (1:05)
14. "Love on the Line " [studio outtake] (2:17)
15. "Scott's ramble" [studio outtake] (:16)
Whitecross' debut holds a ton of nostalgic value for me. The original recording in all it's gritty, raunchy, Christian metal glory is unreplaceable for this fan. However, there is no denying the production quality of that release was subpar. Well in 2005, the mainmen behind the original Whitecross got together to re-record their classic debut. As with the original, it's Rex's firey, Van Halen inspired axe work that stands out. Of course the man has refined his skill over the years, so the guitar work here is no doubt a bit better than the original. Scott Wenzel is singing in a bit lower key here than on the original. This may be due to the slight downtuning of the guitars from E to Eflat. I can't be 100% sure of this, but it sure sounds that way to me. This actually gives the songs a heavier, crunchier sound. Songs like "Enough Is Enough" and "Signs of the Time" are given a new life, despite the obvious 80's writing style. (Which I happen to love.) On top of the original songs, there is also a newly recorded version of "Love on the Line", a forgotten gem from the band's EP of the same name. This song has a killer, slow, heavy, groove to it. Even the lone new track "Re-Animate," fits on the disc rather nicely. Though this track is an instrumental guitar solo, it sounds as if it could have easily appeared on the original debut release from almost 20 years ago. After all, it was a trademark of Whitecross for all of the Rex Carroll years to include an instrumental guitar solo. One thing that I think is noticeable is that furocious attitude isn't the same here as on the original. Sure, the production quality was abysmal on the original, but the bands hunger and charisam shown through regardless. That same attitude is not present here. One other negative for some might be that "You're Mine" was left off the rerecording. This never was one of my favorite songs, so it's not a big deal for me, but I still wonder why it was left off. Perhaps the band agreed with my review (above) of their debut that the song just didn't fit in with the overall vibe of the album. Despite these minor negatives and my nostalgic bias, I feel the band improved upon the original recording and have release a CD that will see plenty of spin time for this longtime fan.
The bonus tracks are the uncut endings to the songs listed. The original versions of the songs fade out at the end with Rex shredding away. The bonus cuts allow you to hear the entire solo. "Love on the Line" is particularly cool as it ends with a small bit of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man."