Stronghold - Fortress Rock

Track List:
01. Stronghold
02: Barabbas
03: Dreams and Pretty Pictures
04: No Superstars for Jesus
05: Daybreak's Coming
06: Desert Walker
07: The Called
08: Nobody Owes You Nothing

Reissue Release Date: July 2012
Label: Born Twice Records

Originally Released: 1982
Label: Tunesmith Records

I was not into the Christian music scene when this was originally released in 1982, but it was only a couple years later when I did get heavily involved, and at that time, this release by Stronghold was still on the must-have list of most rockers. So, this reissue brings back many memories of rocking this release on vinyl in the mid-80s.

Messenger - On Delivery (Live)

Messenger returns with this live release for 2010, recorded during a benefit concert for Corinne's Kitchen at Arlington Assembly Auditorium. This release is available on CD as well as DVD and, believe it or not, Blu-ray. The band seems to be appearing everywhere, and in the short time since hitting the music scene, seem to be accomplishing quite a bit. I had the privilege of reviewing their first release I'm Talking to You in a past issue of the Heaven's Metal fanzine, so before going further with the review of this new live release, I'd like to go back and cover their initial 2008 release for those of you not familiar yet with this hard rock outfit.

Vision - Vision/Mountain in the Sky

Finally, after 25 years, one of my favorite releases is finally remastered and on CD. The self titles Vision release is HERE! And a bonus, as their first release that I never could get my hands on, is also available. And word has it a third unreleased album is forthcoming. I was thrilled to finally get my hands on these, and hope you all grab your copies, as they are limited editions.

In 1985, I stumbled across this album in the local Christian book store. The dark figures, the smoky cover, they looked like they might rock enough to satisfy me, so I grabbed it. About ten years later, I found a company that for a fee, would bounce vinyl to CD and clean it up a bit, so I quickly sent this and other albums to them. Now, I can replace that edition with this true remastered CD quality.

Since October - Life, Scars, Apologies

I have been following Since October ever since they released their first EP, that later was expanded to their first full length independent release entitled Gasping for Hope. Once they got signed, they took a good chunk of the songs from that independent release, and added some new tracks to make up their first major release This is My Heart. Album number three finds the band in fine form, albeit a slightly different feel. Again they recorded this with the wizardry of Travis Wyrick so the production value is as amazing as expected, but musically they seemed to have toned down just a hair.

Gone is the more intense and heavy styling, and in it's placed is a mature and polished heavy edge release - dare I say a slightly more commercial sound?