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Monday, March 2, 2009
WHITECROSS - LIVE AT LEGENDS OF ROCK 2008 AND DISCOGRAPHY,BIOGRAPHY AND REVIEWS
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(12-TRACK)
1-INTRO
2-WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW?
3-LIVING ON THE EDGE
4-DOWN
5-DRUM SOLO
6-WE KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT
7-GUITAR SOLO(Inca Negasaki)
8-GOOD ENOUGH
9-YOU WILL FIND IT THERE
10-NO WAY I AM GOING DOWN
11-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
12-IN THE KINGDOM
CREDITS:Additional Former/Past Members:
Barry Graul -Guitar
Quinton Gibson -Guitar (Seraiah)
Mike Feighan - Drums (Scarlet Rayne)
Mark Hedl -Drum
Troy Stone -Drum
Tracy Ferrie -Bass (Stryper) (Seraiah)
Jon Sproule Scott -Bass
Harper -Bass And Vocals)
Brent Denny -Bass
WHITECROSS-NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN-2005
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW?
2-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
3-HE IS THE ROCK
4-LOOKING FOR A REASON
5-NO WAY I AM GOING DOWN
6-SEEING AND BELIEVING
7-ALL I NEED
8-NAGASAKE
9-SIGNS OF THE END
10-LOVE ON THE LINE
11-RE-ANIMATE
CREDITS:
Scott Wenzel -Lead Vocals
Michael Feigha -Drums
Rex Carroll -Guitars, Bass, Backing Vocals
Antonio Acevedo -Backing vocals, Additional Bass
Dave Parker -Backing Vocals.
WHITECROSS-FLYTRAP-1996
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-GET REAL
2-AMAZING LOVE
3-REFUSE TO LOVE
4-EYE TO EYE
5-END OF THE LINE
6-SAY A PRAYER
7-ALREADY DONE
8-REV 7
9-WHEN HE COMES
10-TO MY SURPRISE
CREDITS:Line-Up On This Album:
Scott Wenzel -Vocals
Troy Stone -Drums
Quinton Gibson -Guitars
Brent Denny -Bass
WHITECROSS-EQUILIBRIUM-1995
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(9-TRACKS)
1-FARAWAY PLACES
2-RUBBENECK
3-COLLIDE
4-THIS ONE
5-FALLEN
6-THE BALANCE
7-PLOWED ME DOWN
8-NOW
9-FULL CRUCIFIXION
CREDITS:
Scott Wenzel -Lead Vocals, Guitar
Michael Feighan -Drums, Vocals
Tracy Ferrie -Bass, Vocals
Barry Graul -Guitar, Vocals(Lead Vocal On "Full Crucifixion")
WHITECROSS-UNVEILED-1994/2005
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(14-TRACKS)
1-INTRO
2-FI YOU BELIEVE
3-HOME IN HEAVEN
4-GOODBYE CRUEL WOLRD
5-ANGEL'S DISGUISE
6-I KEEP PRAYING
7-COME ONTU THE LIGHT
8-INSTRUMENTAL
9-KING OF ANGELS
10-SALT CITY
11-RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES
12-NO OTHER LOVE
13-LOOKING FOR A REASON(Demo Version)
14-HE IS THE ROCK(Demo Version)
CREDITS:
Scott Wenzel -Lead And Backing Vocals
Barry Graul -Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tracy Ferrie -Bass, Backing Vocals
Michael Feighan -Drums, Backing Vocals
WHITECROSS-TO THE LIMIT-1993
THIS COMPILATION CONTAIN(12-TRACKS)
1-IT'S MY LIFE
2-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
3-IN THE KINGDOM
4-NO SECOND CHANCES
5-WHEN THE WALLS TUMBLE DOWN
6-IN AMERICA
7-YOUR MY LORD
8-SHAKEDOWN
9-WALK WITH ME
10-BECAUSE OF JESUS
11-DANCING ON HEAVEN
12-SIMPLE MAN
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll -Guitars
Scott Wenzel -Lead Vocals
Rick Cua -Bass
Mike Mead -Drums
Additional Musichians On This Album:
Michael Feighan –Drums
Scott Harper –Bass
Jonathan Pagano –Background Vocals
Paul Q-Pek – Background Vocals
WHITECROSS-HIGH GEAR-1992
THI ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-HIGH GEAR
2-DACING IN HEAVEN
3-IN AMERICA
4-OVERDRIVE(Guitar Solo)
5-WITHOUT YOUR LOVE
6-COMING HOME
7-MY LOVE
8-I'AM ASKING YOU TODAY
9-GONNA KEEP ON
10-I SHOUT
11-LONG ROAD TO WALK
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll – Guitars, Vocals
Michael Feighan – Drums, Vocals
Scott Harper – Bass, Vocals
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals
WHITECROSS-IN THE KINGDOM-1991
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(11-TRACKS)
1-NO SECOND CHANCES
2-WE KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT
3-IN THE KINGDOM
4-IN HIS HANDS
5-GOOD ENOUGH
6-LOVE IS OUR WEAPON
7-THE ETERNAL FIRE(Guitar Solo)
8-YOU WILL FIND IT THERE
9-IF HE GOES BEFORE ME
10-TELL ME THE TIME
11-HOLY WAR
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll – Guitar, Vocals
Butch Dillon – Bass, Vocals
Mike Feighan – Drums, Vocals
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals.
WHITECROSS-TRIUMPHANT RETURN-1989
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-ATTENTION PLEASE
2-RED LINE
3-STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART
4-DOWN
5-BEHOLD
6-SHAKEDOWN
7-FLASHPOINT(Guiater Solo)
8-SIMPLE MAN
9-OVER THE TOP
10-HEAVEN'S CALLING TONIGHT
CREDITS:
Rick Armstrong – Bass and Vocals
Rex Carroll – Guitars And Vocals
Mike Elliott – Drums And Vocals
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals
WHITECROSS-LOVE ON THE LINE-1988
THIS DEMO EP CONTAIN(4-TRACKS)
1-LOVE ON THE LINE
2-I BELIEVE
3-NO WAY I AM GOING DOWN
4-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll – Guitar, Vocals
Butch Dillon – Bass, Vocals
Mike Feighan – Drums, Vocals
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals
WHITECROSS-HAMMER AND THE NAIL-1988
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-LIVING ON THE EDGE
2-WHEN THE WALLS TUMBLE DOWN
3-THE HUMMER AND THE NAIL
4-TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT
5-WALK WITH ME
6-BECAUSE OF JESUS
7-WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKE
8-RESIST HIM
9-LIVING IN A LOST WOLRD
10-TOP OF THE WOLRD
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll – Guitars
Mark Hedl – Drums
Jon Sproule – Bass
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals
Additional Musicians:
George Small – Keyboards
WHITECROSS-WHITECROSS-1987
THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-WHO WILL YOU FOLLOW
2-ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
3-HE IS THE ROCK
4-LOOKINF FOR A REASON
5-YOU'RE MINE
6-NO WAY I'AM GOING DOWN
7-SEEING AND BELIEVING
8-ALL I NEED
9-NAGASAKE
10-SIGNS OF THE END
CREDITS:
Rex Carroll – Guitars
Mark Hedl – Drums
Jon Sproule – Bass
Scott Wenzel – Lead Vocals
BIOGRAPHY:
Whitecross was formed in 1986 by Rex Carroll and Scott Wenzel. Whitecross release their debut self-titled CD "Whitecross" on Pure Metal in 1987. Songs like Enough is Enough, Who Will You Follow, and the popular Nagasaki guitar solo by Rex Carroll would bring life to the fast growing scene of Christian Rock and Christian Heavy Metal. Whitecross with is ripping guitar work and solid vocals was often compared to the popular main-stream group RATT.Whitecross followed their debut recording with Whitecross-The $6.98 EP-Love on the Line in 1988, Whitecross-Hammer & Nail in 1988 and Whitecross-Triumphant Return in 1989. Star Song bought the Pure Metal label and the duo of Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll would create two more albums together. White Cross-In the Kingdom in 1991 and White Cross-High Gear in 1992. The Dove Award winning Whitecross who travel with notable groups such as Stryper, Steve Taylor and others would never be the same again. Rex Carroll the guitar mastermind, songwriter and producer behind the band Whitecross would leave in 1992 to pursue a solo album entitled Rex Carroll-The Session. Rex also went on to form the band King James with front man Jimi Bennett and 2 former members of Stryper, Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet. Scott went on to make a solo album as well as other other Whitecross albums, Unveiled, Equilibrium, FlyTrap, One More Encore. http://www.whitecrossmusic.com
Guitarist Rex Carroll got his start in music while attending Northern Illinois University in the late seventies when he was a member of a local Christian rock group called A Band Called Light. Attempting to establish a musical career upon graduating from school, Carroll began sending demo tapes to various labels until Mirage/Atlantic contacted him and suggested he join the secular hard rock band Fierce Heart. Carroll proceeded to contribute all the rhythm and lead guitar work to Fierce Heart’s very fine 1985 self-titled debut album,but afterwards he longed to get involved in another Christian project. Upon returning to Illinois, Carroll started giving guitar lessons until one of his students, vocalist Scott Wenzel, announced he was looking for a lead guitarist. Since Carroll was also seeking a lead vocalist, the two formed a partnership that led to the creation of Whitecross in 1986. (Wenzel came up with the bands name after drawing it from Isaiah 1:18.) The two began working on new material, and after recording a demo tape, they were soon signed to Pure Metal Records. The rest, as they say, is history.Carroll is a wonderfully talented musician who deserves to rank with other top notch players of his era such as Eddie Van Halan, Randy Rhodes and Joe Satriani. If in doubt, check out his work on the "Eruption" influenced open air guitar solo "Nagasake". The scratchy and gritty lead vocal style of Wenzel brings to mind Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and, as a result, helps invite the bands comparison musically, accurate or otherwise, to Ratt. While bassist Jon Sproule and drummer Mark Hedl are both technically sound, neither is quite in the same league musically with Carroll. The hard rocking 1987 self-titled debut of Whitecross is held back by a thin and muddy sounding production job. The rhythm guitar sound is weak and deserves to be beefed up. The drums come across hollow and monotonous, while the bass, with a few exceptions, cannot be discerned in the mix. Only the lead guitar rises above the instrumentation as it should.The introduction to album opener “Who Will You Follow” gives Carroll the opportunity to exhibit his pyrotechnical guitar playing. Slowing as Wenzel takes over with his raspy vocal delivery, the song gains momentum for a chorus in which the salvation message comes across in the form of a question."Enough Is Enough" progresses through its first verse to an edgy rhythm guitar backed by a hammering bass, the two driving the song to a groove flavored chorus delivered with a ton of grit and attitude.Carroll nails a brief but fiery guitar solo, while he decorates the songs last minute with more of the same.Commencing to several seconds of open air rhythm guitar, “He Is The Rock” is carried through its first and second verse in a near mesmerizing manner by the bands prodigious energy. Deep sounding vocal harmonies enter the mix in time to shore up a chorus with a huge catchy hook. Carroll's flashy lead guitar work brings out the best in a song talking about making the correct eternal decision.The open air rhythm guitar at the start of "Lookin' For A Reason" gives way to pounding drums and several seconds of fluid lead guitar work. Subsequent to the rhythm guitar moving to the front of the mix, the song moves forward hard and heavy until it crests for a strong melodic flavored chorus. Carroll steals the show with a pull out all the stops guitar solo.“You’re mine” is a forgettable and out of place sounding keyboard based ballad that falls way short of the mark. While Wenzel puts in a very fine performance throughout the album, his raspy vocal delivery fails to complement a song moving in such a commercial influenced musical direction. This reviewer would never discourage a band from performing a ballad; on the other hand, if recording a hard rock album then why not write a hard rock ballad?"No Way I'm Goin' Down" challenges "He Is The Rock" as the albums best track. The drum solo opening the song transitions to a choppy guitar riff that pushes it ahead with just the right amount of upbeat momentum. After briefly pausing, “No Way I’m Goin’ Down” evenly advances on a great anthemic chorus delivered in energetic fashion. A pyrotechnical guitar solo helps out things over the top.“Seein’ Is Believin” highlights perhaps the albums weakest production job in that Wenzel’s voice is placed way too high over a muffled sounding mix of rhythm guitar. The song is quite solid musically, however, in showcasing a very fine hook filled chorus and a driving mid-tempo pace. A few seconds of backward masking opens an instrumental passage carried by a brief but well done guitar solo.As "Seein' Is Believin'" ends to more backward masking, "All I Need" immediately embarks to several second of blazing lead guitar work. A driving guitar riff proceeds to impel the song at an upbeat tempo until it crests for a chorus bolstered by a heavy dose of background vocals. Carroll follows with his trademark neo-classical influenced lead guitar work. "All I Need" focuses on God's faithfulness.The flashy open air guitar solo "Nagasake" is 1:51 of fast fingered energy. Following several seconds of backward masking, Carroll cuts loose and displays in no uncertain terms why he deserves to rank with the finest guitarist on the planet. While a comparison to Eddie Van Halan's work on "Eruption" is warranted, the song gives prominence to the influences of Joe Satriani and Chris Impellitteri as well. The album ends, appropriately, with “Signs Of The End”. The song opens in up-tempo fashion before tapering off to the bluesy guitar riff that carries its first verse. Gradually picking up in pace, “Signs Of The End” moves on to a strong chorus fortified by deep sounding vocal harmonies. Carroll cuts loose over the songs final minute. "Signs Of The End" talks about exactly that.A legitimate case can be made that Whitecross' self-titled debut features the strongest group of songs Rex Carroll and company have put together. The album showcases three exception tracks in "Enough Is Enough", "He Is The Rock" and "No Way I'm Goin' Down". Everything else, with "You're Mine" being the lone exception, holds up under repeated play. Any problems with the albums production are offset by Carroll's world class abilities and the all out energy generated by the bands performance.
http://christianrockzone.listen2myradio.com/.
One to shake the metal purist. The two year wait may have forewarned the hardcore head-bangers that musical changes were afoot but few could have been ready for one of the hardest and heaviest teams in Christendom's move into AOR territory on some of the tracks here. "Love Is Our Weapon" could have come straight off a Petra album while one or two of the ballads seem positively wimpish to these ears. But on more than half the album White-cross lay in down as of old "Good Enough" and "We Know What's Right" feature Van Halenish rhythms, funky guitar runs and Rush like sudden rests while the opener "No Second Chances' sounds like the band we know and love, with huge drums, good vocal hooks and guitar runs from old warhouse Rex Carroll that spit fire. The obligator guitar instrumental track "The Eternal Fire" isn't quite as dazzling as those on the first three albums and the move into Petrafied Elefante territory will worry hardcore moshers. But this is still an exciting rock gospel album. And I loved that metal rap up (with DOC) on "Holy War". And What About The "High Gear" Album. High Gear was the culmination of original metal guitar work when metal bands in all genres were degenerating into generic riffs.The vocals were
excellent.Whitecross was king. I've noticed that Rex Carol isn't with them now...but his guitar work was par none...even if he was a grumpy guy.With lead singer Scott Wenzel "temporarily" halting Christendom's premier metal team this compilation is an ideal opportunity to assess the story-so-far. This takes in tracks from the first Pure Metal album to their recent 'High Gear' with two newies produced by top man Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger et al). The balance is good, both between its musical and lyrical content and between metal, hard rock and ballads. Scott's vocals are really strong especially in the last cut, "Simple Man", which talks about the love of the Lord. Other tracks which stand out are "In America" which, though talking about the good old USA could really be talking about any country and "Shakedown", which gives us a warning about luke warm commitment towards the Lord. Long time Whitecross fans will have most of these tracks (only two are new) but completists and anyone wanting to explore what metal is about should go into their local Christian music shop and ask for a blast. Make sure there are no old ladies by the speakers(http://www.holymetalrob.com/)