Various Artists

Item: California Metal
Author: Daniel Baillod

California Metal

(1987)

Reviewed by Daniel Baillod

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Label Regency RecordingsAdonai Metal Rock #21989

heavy metal melodic metal

Translated from the original French

As its name indicates, this compilation brings together Californian bands only. CALIFORNIA METAL was created by the Christian churches of heavy metal: SANCTUARY. Six bands appear on it, six bands that are part of the SANCTUARY churches. Besides, on the inner sleeve, next to the photo of each of the bands, there is a photo of pastor Bob Beeman, founder of SANCTUARY, and a few words from him: in short, he recommends these bands to us because not only is Jesus Christ the reason for their existence, but because on top of that they are good musicians... And it is true!! CALIFORNIA METAL is an excellent WM compilation: from FM (MASTEDON) to speed (DELIVERANCE)... Nothing to throw away! BARREN CROSS appears on it with a slightly modified version of "Deadlock"; GARDIAN, with its melodic heavy and two tracks among the best on the album ("Marching On" and "Spiritual Warfare": a good foretaste of their future first LP!); H.E.R.O., glam in the Motley style, with very impressive vocals ("Sing It Out" and "I surrender"); MASTEDON, nicely four-square hard FM, with REZ-style vocals and a hint of keyboard... delicious, the cocktail ("Wasn't It Love"); and finally NEON CROSS, who could not disappoint: two very beefy tracks, with vocals that make NEON CROSS not "just one more band" ("I Need Your Love" and above all "Son Of God"). The interest of this compilation is that all the tracks are unreleased (except "Deadlock" by BARREN CROSS). The production is very good thanks to the help of John and Dino Elefante, far from unknown on the Christian rock side!!! A very good album.