White Ray
Louisville, Kentucky5 reviews across 5 releases
White Ray was a Louisville, Kentucky, Christian hard rock band formed in 1987. Its 1988 demo paired melodic heavy metal with the weight of Dio and Iron Maiden, built around Anthony Bowling's guitar and John Warren's lead vocals. The four-song The First Sin followed in 1989 with clearer production, crunchy guitars and a tight rhythm section; Dale Thompson of Bride added background vocals to "To Die Is to Gain." By the 1990 self-titled release, the band was writing punchy progressive metal, including the intense mosh song "We're Not Afraid to Die," though occasional extended screams weakened the performances. Later demos moved toward looser, blues-based hard rock with prominent bass lines and rougher sonics. Their songs could shift from rapid-fire delivery in "Freedom" to an acoustic "Sin City" without leaving the Christian metal setting.
White Ray changed its name to Killed by Cain in 1992. The new name accompanied a heavier direction, and the band signed with R.E.X. Records before issuing the self-titled Killed by Cain in 1993. Steve Curtsinger, who had played bass in White Ray's early lineup, later became associated with Bride; the available history places White Ray's original run at 1987-1992. The band's independent tapes were eventually collected on The Collected Works - The Demos 1988-1991, released in 2019, bringing together material from its Louisville period.
5 releases reviewed
The First Sin
White Ray
[title unknown]
[title unknown]
1988 Demo