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    Heaven's Metal #17/Neon Cross
    Neon Cross — Neon Cross cover

    Neon Cross

    Neon Cross

    (1988)

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    DiscogsYouTube
    Label Regency RecordingsHeaven's Metal #17July 1988
    glam metalheavy metalmelodic metalpower metal

    A very deserving, original band has made their full-length vinyl debut. This is hot, non-stop metal. You'll hear ten songs on this tape that never let up. It's an album for metalheads only, not written to try and reach a bigger, commercially-oriented market. Outstanding cuts in Christian metal's vault of classic tunes are "We Are the Children (Of Our Lord)" and "Far Cry (From Eden)." I was actually disappointed a little bit on the production of these songs versus the demo. These versions are a little more polished and a lot less out of control than the demo versions, but they're still very original and extremely good vocal performances. I absolutely love 'em! This album features some great rhythm and blues hooks. "Heartbreaker," the opening cut, is a good example. What can I say? This album is hot. It doesn't blow you away, but it does rock your socks off for 43 minutes. "I'm Not Alone" gives us a good look at the spectrum of Neon Cross' music. It starts off as a ballad, with a pouting vocal performance by David Raymond Reeves; then it starts ripping into a pounding beat, by drummer Michael Betts and bassist Ed Ott, and distortion - the skilled guitar chops of guitarist Don Webster. "(This Is) The Right Time" is a good commercial anthem. The background vocals are done well, sounding like Def Leppard. There's a good, yet simple, guitar break in the middle of this one. "Run Into the Light" is a rockin' tune, dude! This song could get any crowd rockin'. The rhythm is just so killer. Buy this album, crank it up and rock out. It'll give you enough radical drumming and guitar runs to make you exhausted just listening to it. Don't forget that the cd is available for only $12.98. Spring Arbor can get you this album within a week, no matter what U.S. city your local Christian bookstore is in. To obtain Neon Cross merchandise, like t-shirts, etc, write 'em at: PO Box 3052, El Segundo CA 90243. Wait till you see the cover art in full color!

    Other coverage for this album

    Dead Zine 2003Reviewed by NecRoSarXNeon Cross was one of those influential Christian metal bands from the late 80s that released a highly acclaimed album out of nowhere, and then quickly disappeared from the scene. Despite what the name of the band may tell you, their sound was the more gritty and darker side of melodic metal, more on par with Rage Of Angels, Saint, Leviticus and that other band with a cross in their name, Barren…Adonai Metal Rock #2Reviewed by Daniel BaillodTranslated from the original French After "White", "Barren" and plenty of others, here is "Neon". NEON CROSS has chosen to be an illuminated cross, and so much the better! Their long-awaited first album has rewarded our wait! What a sound! Dino Elefante is in on it again (even if he is not the producer), and you can hear it. It is the big sound, and above all the big drums (mind you, given the…

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    Also in Heaven's Metal #17

    1988Lust ControlThis Is a Condom Nation1987The Lonely NowOriginal IntentionsThe WatchmenFear No Evil1985ContenderContender1988RefugeChasin' Away the Night1988Mark FarnerJust Another Injustice