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    Heaven's Metal #20/Ransom
    Ransom — Once And For All cover

    Ransom

    Once And For All

    (1988)

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    Discogs
    Label independentHeaven's Metal #20July/August 1989
    glam metalhard rockheavy metal

    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.

    More from Ransom

    1990Paid in Full[title unknown]1991Ransom1992Soul Asylum1999Dead No More

    Also in Heaven's Metal #20

    Seventh AngelRed Demo1988The CryWhat It Means To Be1988The WakeRock And Roll1986PersecutionChoose Death1989Various ArtistsTwelve New Faces1988Kerry Livgren / ADPrime Mover