(Melodic Hard Rock) Holy Soldier - Holy Soldier (Japanese Edition) - 1990, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Holy Soldier came out of the mid-eighties Los Angeles club circuit when founding members bassist Andy Robbins and guitarist Jamie Cramer joined forces with drummer Pete Kerney, guitarist Larry Farkus (Vengeance Rising) and vocalist Robbie Braunz. Kerney left the group after eight months only to be replaced by Terry Russell while Michael Cutting supplanted Farkus six months later. When Braunz decided to call it quits, Holy Soldier embarked on a nationwide search for a vocalist that culminated in the talented Steven Patrick. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Patrick got his start by recording an EP under the name Victory with his brother Sean, but when he read an ad from a Christian band looking for a vocalist, he placed a copy of the tape in the mail. Liking what they heard, Holy Soldier flew Patrick out to Los Angeles for an audition and the rest, as they say, is history.
Holy Soldier proceeded to record a five song demo with the goal of obtaining a secular recording contract but ended up signing with Myrrh Records- becoming the first “white metal” band to join the label (and ending Myrrh’s year long search for the right metal band to sign). Originally released in 1990, Holy Soldier’s self-titled debut was re-issued in 2005 by Spaceport Records and again in 2008 by the Brazilian label Silent Music Records (with live versions of “Virtue And Vice” and “When The Reign Comes Down” as bonus tracks along with a video of “See No Evil”).
The best way to describe Holy Soldier would be commercial melodic metal heavily influenced by the eighties. The album stands out with its consistency in that each of its tracks brings the needed inspiration to hold up under repeated play. Things get underway with “Stranger” and “See No Evil”, two energetic hard rockers, before the spine tingling ballad “The Pain Inside Of Me” is obtained. The raw and gritty “Cry Out For Love” gives way to one of the albums heavier pieces, “Tear Down The Walls” while the stylish “When The Reign Comes Down” perfectly complements the acoustic laced “Lies” and mega-melodic ballad “Eyes Of Innocence”. Closing things out are two upbeat tracks, the emotionally charged “Love Me” and metal anthem “We Are Young, We Are Strong”.
Vocalist Steven Patrick, when at the top of his game, proves one of the better frontmen of his era. Doug Van Pelt had the following to say about Steven in his review of Holy Soldier from Heaven’s Metal 23 (1990): “Lead vocalist Steven Patrick gives the band the distinction that they need to compete in this market. Try blending Axl Rose, Don Dokken and Joe Elliott together, and you’ll get a good idea of his raspy, yet melodic style”.1 Distinct but raspy and melodic- I could not have said it better myself.
Doug went on to describe the guitar team of Jamie Cramer and Michael Cutting as “excellent throughout most of the album. The best guitar moments come on side two with the awesome ballad, “Eyes Of Innocence”, and the rockin’ “We Are Young, We Are Strong”.2 I might also mention “Tear Down The Walls”, which features a lead guitar duel between the two, and the bluesy soloing found on “Lies”. “Stranger” includes a fiery lead break as well.
The rhythm section of Andy Robbins and Terry Russell also receives praise from Doug: “Andy Robbins’ bass is really punchin’ throughout this disk. Standout bass lines are featured in “See No Evil”, “Love Me” and especially the intro to “When The Reign Comes Down”. Drummer Terry Russell gets his shot at getting noticed with his bass drum attack on “We Are Young”… and cracks his snare loudly on Cry Out For Love”. The whole rhythm section rocks tight on “Tear Down The Walls”.3
Holy Soldier showcases immaculate production values allowing each member of the band to shine. The lead guitar and bass, both distinctly rising above the mix, underscore a crisp sounding rhythm guitar. The drums pack the needed punch and power.
It is worth pointing out the professional standards to the packaging. The album cover features an eye catching band photo over a yellow and black background with dog taps displaying the bands name in the foreground. A six page “mini booklet” includes professionally done band photos alongside lyrics printed in an easy to read front. The back of the insert includes additional concert photos of the band as well.
Packaging for the Silent Music re-issue was revamped, which makes purchasing a copy a necessity. While maintaining the same album artwork, the re-issue comes with a fold out insert – as opposed to the mini booklet – featuring a band biography along with several never before seen band photos. Inside the jewel case (located behind the CD) is a photo montage of Holy Soldier memorabilia- including magazine covers, concert advertisements and tickets and a copy of the ad that led them to Steven Patrick.
Set in motion by vocal harmonies repeating its title, “Stranger” advances at an upbeat tempo to a blend of punchy bass lines and edgy rhythm guitar. The vocal harmonies in question return as the song gains further momentum for a succinct chorus on the resolute side of things. Several seconds of flashy lead guitar brings out the best in a number pointing to the person of Christ:
They didn't understand Him
Though His words were plain to see
Because of this they made a plan
To kill Him brutally
He was different
He was Heaven-sent
And for this they took His life
But in the end
He rose again
His name was Jesus Christ
"See No Evil" might progress at a slower tempo in comparison to “Stranger” but proves no less able. Introduced to several seconds of open air rhythm guitar, the song proceeds through its first verse at a gritty mid-paced clip before an ethereal choir of children voices trade off with Patrick during the second. The child-like voices continue into the forcefully delivered chorus that follows. “See No Evil” was written from the standpoint of a child being aborted:
I float inside her womb
Oh Mother, I am coming soon
Suddenly, fear and dread
When Mother says she wants me dead
Oh, how could you do this to me?
God hears them cry
(Thou shall not kill)
We hear the lie
(Do what you will)
And we simply look the other way
See no evil...
The haunting ballad “The Pain Inside Of Me” highlights a near perfect mix of rhythm and acoustic guitar and sturdy bass lines. Following an acoustic laced opening, the song edges forward as vocal harmonies back a weighty rhythm guitar. The rhythm guitar moves to the more pronounced place in the mix as a poignant chorus bordering on the mesmerizing is achieved. A broken relationship is the subject matter here:
(Where are you?)
When my tears are falling down
(Where are you?)
You're not around
The days are long
The night's eternity
I think of how it is
And how it used to be
When you were here with me
- in addition to the healing that God can bring:
It's such a great divide
But God can fill the sea
"Cry Out For Love" brings a post-modern guitar sound not unlike that of Bang Tango and The Cult. A compelling combination of rhythm guitar and bass drives the song through its first verse, the fixed setting upheld for a laid back chorus sustained by a distant trace of vocal harmonies. A fiery guitar break helps put things over the top. “Cry Out For Love” deals with a believer who has found the Lord and, wanting more of His love, discovers God has more to give:
The Spirit of the Ancient One
That was, is, and shall be
His love is ringing in my ears
Crying out to me
Cry out for love
The kind of love you've never seen before
Cry out for love
I've got a little but I need some more
“Tear Down The Walls” ranks with the heavier tracks here. The song immediately launches into a driving rhythm guitar backed by a bit of lead guitar, decelerating slightly at the start of its first verse only to gradually regain the impetus on the way to a spirited chorus in which Cramer and Cutting trade off at the end. The lead guitar duel continues as “Tear Down The Walls” transitions to a sweeping instrumental section.
“When The Reign Comes Down” highlights the albums crystal clear production. The song opens to a prominent bass line before flowing through its first verse at a fixed mid-tempo pace. Building and gaining initiative throughout the second, “When The Reign Comes Down” transitions to an ethereal tinged chorus that comes across climactic in capacity. A mock newscast gives way to an instrumental section carried by a blistering guitar solo. “When The Reign Comes Down” deals with sin and how it impacts society:
It motivates the rapist
It moves the hand that kills
Fills the heart with the wrath of Cain
And blood begins to spill
The scavenger of lost souls
It feeds as they expire
Licks the lips of the mouth of hell
And spews eternal fire
The acoustic guitar initiating “Lies” soon joins with a crisp rhythm guitar. Upholding the acoustic laced setting for its first verse, the song picks up pace as the rhythm guitar steps forward and propels things to a chorus delivered at an intent upbeat tempo. A touch of the acoustic opens an instrumental section showcasing an extended run of bluesy lead guitar.
"Eyes Of Innocence" rates with the finest metal ballads this reviewer has heard. Subsequent to an acoustic guitar compelling the song through its first and second verse, the rhythm guitar takes over in time to back a chorus with a huge commercial flavored hook. Cutting contributes to the moving scene with several seconds of the albums best lead work. If given the opportunity this one had the opportunity to dominate FM radio and MTV.
"Love Me" takes off at once in rhythm guitar driven fashion only to slow to an acoustic guitar at the start of its first verse. Picking up in pace as the rhythm guitar returns at the start of the second, the song slowly regains its momentum as it advances on a non-stop hook filled chorus. Cutting and Cramer duel throughout an extended instrumental section. “Love Me” talks about God’s faithfulness, even when we fail:
Open my eyes
God, are You still there?
I need to know if You still care
Love me
Oh, bring me back to You
Love me
Hold me close; show me love that's true
Love me, love me
Don't ever let me down
Love me
Until I come around to You
Terry Russell gets quite the double bass workout on the up-tempo “We Are Young, We Are Strong”. Beginning to several seconds of tight guitar harmony, the song steadfastly builds in tempo as it muscles through its first verse. Just a touch of vocal harmonies adds to the refined scene prior to a flowing chorus backed powerfully by double bass. Cramer and Cutting again tear it up on lead guitar.
The two live tracks, “Virtue And Vice” and “When The Reign Comes Down”, were taken off Holy Soldier’s 1997 live album Encore. Both stay true to the original (“Virtue And Vice” made its initial appearance on Last Train from 1992) while showcasing the bands trademark energy and able musicianship. “Virtue And Vice” sustains its upbeat heading (along with a tasteful lead break) and “When The Reign Comes Down” a bass guitar driven environs bordering on the stylish. All the while Patrick graces the scene with his raspy vocal flavorings- even more so in comparison to the studio verse of each song.
It has always been this reviewer’s opinion that Holy Soldier’s self-titled debut was nothing less than a groundbreaking release for the Christian metal scene. From the songwriting, to the bands performance, to the production and packaging, no detail was overlooked- everything was done to the highest level of professionalism. If you missed the long out of print original Myrrh release then by all means pick up the Silent Music re-issue.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell