Ransom
Once And For All
Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt
Ransom's Lisa Faxon proves that girls can sing metal/hard rock. I guess I always knew they could, because of Ann Wilson of Heart, but I'd definitely never heard a female voice I really liked in Christian metal/hard rock. Lisa's vocals are powerful and gritty, without cracking or possessing only half a range.
"Sin Killer", the cut from the Cal Metal 2 album, is a hot tune, showing off Ransom's potential as a band. Everything's here: they've got good guitar chops; background vocals similar to Cinderella (sounds like "Save Me"); a tight rhythm section; and powerful vocals.
The last song, "To Be Like You", sounds very much like a Guns 'n' Roses ballad. Of course, Lisa's voice sounds a lot cleaner than Axl's, but Tony Dierdren's guitar picking is beautiful. Sometimes ballads are the best, if you somehow pack tons of emotion into it. This song is worshipful, which gives it an extra dimension--the presence of God for those who enter in.
This is one of the better quality demos out.