Neon Cross
Neon Cross
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
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!