| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Darrell Mansfield, Eric Turner & Doug Doyle |
| Record Label: Broken | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1985 | Artist Website: Darrell Mansfield |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 39:15 |
Christian rock veteran Darrell Mansfield got his start in 1974 as lead vocalist of the band Gentle Faith. Leaving Gentle Faith following the release of its self-titled debut two years later, Mansfield recorded his first solo album, Higher Power (1977), before forming the Darrell Mansfield Band and putting out two critically acclaimed albums in Get Ready (1980) and The Vision (1983). An evangelist by calling, Mansfield cannot think of any better way to share the Gospel than rock and roll, his motto being to “become all things to all people that you might win some”. Hence, Mansfield, who considers himself a “fisher of men”, proceeded to record the heaviest album of his career in Revelation (1985) because, in his words, “the fish started biting hard rock”.
The best way to describe Revelation would be blues based hard rock bordering on heavy metal. Revelation flexes its muscles on heavier tracks such as the all out metal of “Jesus Will Reign” – a classic if there ever was one – in addition to the showstopper “Thunder N’ Lightning” and catchy “After The Storm”. It does not get much better than these three. A straightforward hard rock direction is taken on “Running”, “Give It Up” and “Don’t Let Them Stand In Your Way” while “Bible Study” proves an upbeat part rocker. Finally, closing things out is “Waiting”, a bluesy semi-ballad shored up by a tasteful joining of the acoustic and electric.
Mansfield, as one would expect, highlights the project with a raspy and blues soaked vocal style perfectly suited for the straightforward hard rock presented here. His work on harmonica proves complementary as well, standing out best on “Give It Up” and “Don’t Let Them Stand In Your Way”. Eric Turner provides the majority of the albums rhythm and lead guitar work. His soloing shines on “Thunder N’ Lightning” and “Running” (ardent feel to his playing on these two) while “Waiting” finds him cutting loose in blues based fashion. One of the highlights to Revelation is the guest appearance made by the talented Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big), who contributes his lightning-like riffing to “After The Storm” and “Jesus Will Reign”.
Revelation features a crisp and clean sounding production job. While the rhythm and lead guitar both receive an adequate mix, the drums could have projected a bit more punch and power.
“Thunder N’ Lightning” fades in to a flashy open air guitar solo before stopping dead in its tracks as a voice slowly counts to four. Picking up in pace as a metal laced rhythm guitar kicks in, the song energetically pushes ahead until culminating for a driving chorus in which an unremitting environs is put into place. Turner tops things off with a stretch of blazing lead guitar.
The emotionally charged “After The Storm” slows the pace down a bit but proves no less able. One of the albums slower but heavier tracks, this one will draw you in with its catchy guitar harmony and equally gripping chorus- the hook here is prevalent and almost borders on the commercial in capacity. The minute of blazing lead guitar which Gilbert cuts loose with is pure genius.
Straightforward hard rock would be the best way to describe “Running”. Whether it is the upbeat impetus, weighty mix of rhythm guitar or muscular chorus, fans of Resurrection Band, F.O.G. and Stonefuze will find a lot to like here. Good grit flavored vocal performance from Mansfield as well while Turner again steps it up a notch on lead guitar.
“Give It Up”, another bare bones hard rocker, begins to a weaving of spicy harmonica and crunchy rhythm guitar. The harmonica, however, drops from the mix as the song reaches its first verse, not returning until a blues flavored chorus of an unflinching variety is obtained. One has to appreciate how Mansfield uses his harmonica to mimic the sound of an electric guitar as “Give It Up” reaches its instrumental passage.
"Bible Study", a parody of an old fifties song written by Eddie Cochran entitled “Come On Everybody”, takes a tongue and cheek approach to young people in school who, if there is not a football game to attend on Friday night, are out partying. On the other hand, what do Christian kids do no Friday night? They say “Let’s have a Bible study!”. Musically, the song proves an upbeat hard rocker, moving its distance to a smashing rhythm guitar in showcasing a too the point chorus and more of Mansfield’s blues heavy vocal delivery. At its halfway point, “Bible Study” breaks for a trade off between Mansfield and loudly shouted backing vocals:
We don't need no drugs! (NO!)
We don't need no dope! (NO!)
"Jesus Will Reign" ranks with the best Christian metal songs of its era. Metal is the key word here, reflected in the distorted rhythm guitar that launches the song, leading the way in keyed up fashion until further momentum is gained for a sweeping chorus that comes across worshipful in capacity:
Jesus will reign
Holy is his name
Worthy is the lamb
Satan will not stand
Gilbert pulls out all the stops with a minute of neo-classically flavored lead guitar. My thoughts? Somebody – Rob Rock, Letter 7 and Narnia come to mind – needs to cover this.
“Tokyo” stands out with its interesting time changes. Moving through its verse portions to a muscular rhythm guitar, the song smoothly tapers upon transitioning to a laid back chorus in which the rhythm guitar fades to the backdrop of the mix. Some emotionally charged lead guitar adds to the bluesy scene. The only problem I find is that “Tokyo”, while solid musically, features some backing vocals that are a bit overdone.
"Don't Let Them Stand In Your Way" includes more of Mansfield’s red hot harmonica. Another mid-paced hard rocker, the song takes a gritty rhythm guitar and joins it with a straightforward chorus and atmosphere on the bluesy side of thing. Again, Mansfield’s harmonica proves decisive here.
A superlative melody is delivered on the semi-ballad “Waiting”. The song begins acoustically as it slowly treads through its verse portions, not culminating until the rhythm guitar steps in just prior to a catchy chorus standing out with its all out emotionally charged impetus. Turner’s bluesy soloing helps to place “Waiting” among the albums better tracks.
Revelation does a good job showcasing Mansfield’s raspy vocal delivery along with the top notch playing of guitarists Eric Turner and Paul Gilbert. From front to back the album proves a consistent listen with "Thunder N' Lightning, "After The Storm", "Jesus Will Reign" and "Waiting" standing out as the more noteworthy tracks. All in all, I find it disappointing that Mansfield never made another excursion into hard rock territory. It must be noted, nevertheless, that he later recorded several songs with guitar hero Joey Taffola that were never released.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Thunder ‘N Lightning" (4:48), "After The Storm" (4:44), "Runnin’" (3:00), "Give It Up" (3:48), "Bible Study" (4:18), "Jesus Will Reign" (4:31), "Tokyo" (3:49), "Don’t Let Them Stand In Your Way" (4:07), "Waiting" (6:05)
Musicians
Darrell Mansfield – Lead Vocals & Harmonica
Eric Turner – Guitars
Jeff Nicholson – Bass
Terl Bryant – Drums & Percussion
Guest Musicians
Paul Gilbert - Guitars
Reference List
Arnold, Christy. "Darrell Mansfield Interview." Take A Stand (March 1988): 1-2.
Crothers, Kevin. "Darrell Mansfield." White Throne 1 (1986): 7-8.
Hertenstein, Mike. "Darrell Mansfield Interview." Cornerstone 73 (1985): 49-50.
"Metal Tracks." Heaven's Metal 20 (1989): 20.
"The Darrell Mansfield Band." Heaven's Metal 15 (1988): 31-34.
