| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 9 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 1984 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 42:45 |
Any discussion concerning the Holy Grail of Christian metal collectibles almost inevitably makes mention of several rare and hard to find releases. One of the most highly sought after is the CD version of the original mix of Stryper’s Yellow And Black Attack, a very pricey and uncommon item that only came out in Japan. Joshua’s Intense Defense (which was released in Europe on RCA) and Chapter One by M Pire (the Long Island version from 1995 received low distribution) and Scarlet Rayne’s Theater Humanitarian are all scarce CDs also worth mentioning. All the original Intense Records releases of Angelica, Bloodgood, Deliverance, Recon and Sacred Warrior must be included as well in that they have not yet been officially re-issued on CD. (The KMG “2-for-1” re-issues do not count!) If you want to talk cassette only demos then the following have to be considered: Apostle (Hymns), Xalt (Dark War), Soldier (Babylon), and Paradox (Ruler & Power And Glory), just to name a few. Barren Cross’ six song EP Believe might be the king of vinyl collectibles – it came out in both blue and white vinyl versions – but you also have to reference albums by Emerald (Armed For Battle), Stronghold (Fortress Rock), 100% Proof (Power And The Glory) and Messiah (Final Warning).
Messiah was a particularly obscure band, putting out its full length debut Final Warning in 1984 before following up a year later with a five song EP entitled Going Insane. As a matter of fact, so little was known about Messiah at the time that Final Warning and Going Insane were not reviewed in Heaven’s Metal until 1989 (issue #20 described the band as “apocalyptic hard rock”). My impression of Messiah is old school heavy metal bringing the same type of all out raw energy found on albums by other Christian metal bands of the time such as Saint, Philadelphia, Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Emerald and Messiah Prophet. Final Warning, for example, finds the band delivering a fairly even blend of quality melodic metal numbers (“Who’s To Blame”, “Outta Control” and “Heavenly Metal”) and those that reflect a classic metal influence (“Mistaken Identity”, “Lucifer” and “Final Warning”). “Where Are You” and “The Choice”, on the other hand, can best be described as melodic hard rock with commercial touches. Irregardless of musical direction, the songwriting here proves first rate in that the band strikes the perfect balance of guitar driven energy and catchy hooks that will bring you back to the project again and again. Trust me, the melodies here are quite abundant and will be stuck in your head after only a handful of listens.
I enjoy the gritty and raspy feel that vocalist Chuck Gugel brings to the project. While his delivery is occasionally reminiscent to that of Bloodgood frontman Les Carlson (such as on “Who’s To Blame”) or even Alice Cooper (check out “Mistaken Identity”), he an add a nice smooth sounding touch whenever needed as well (“Heavenly Metal” & “Final Warning”). Guitarist Scott Woods proves quite the capable shredder, adorning the full length of the project with lead work of the same high caliber of contemporaries such as Oz Fox (Stryper), David Zaffiro (Bloodgood), Dee Harrington and John Mahan (Saint) and Ray Parris (Barren Cross). If in doubt then check out the scorching leads he cuts loose with on “Who’s To Blame”, “Mistaken Identity” and “Keep Searching”. Bassist Peter Smoltz and drummer Keith Behnke round out the rhythm section, while Dan Knowles furnishes added touch on keyboards.
Production values, as one would expect from the era, trend towards the thin and muddy side of things. The Heaven’s Metal review previously referenced, for example, described the sound here as “dated by almost twenty years”. While that might be overstating things a bit, the best comparison I might make would be to the production of early albums by Saint (Time’s End), Emerald (Armed For Battle) and Philadelphia (Search And Destroy). In other words, the music is of a very high quality but would have stood out further if highlighted by a touch of polish and refinement.
“Whose To Blame” charges ahead from the start at an upbeat tempo, storming through its first verse prior to gaining a hold of a hook driven chorus with an overriding tempestuous feel. Wood steps forward with several seconds of feverish work on lead guitar. Fast, furious and energetic, this one proves the perfect album opener. The following line best sums up of the songs message:
I hear the drums of war
Pounding at the door
God is angry
And I hear the trumpets roar
Hate is just a sin
Love in the end will win
Can’t you hear the voice
Calling from within
“Outta Control” slows the pace down somewhat but proves every bit as notable. Set in motion by a sledgehammer-like riff, an abundance of tenacious mid-tempo initiative pushes this one ahead until it reaches a melodic flavored chorus touched up by a trace of vocal harmonies. I enjoy how the song slows for an acoustically driven passage before Woods contributes a run of acidic lead guitar work.
“Where Are You”, with its laid back and acoustic laced feel, would not sound out of place on Bloodgood’s Rock In A Hard Place. An even blend of rhythm and acoustic guitar helps to smoothly propel the song forward, the pace not picking up until a chorus with a hook of an abundant and radio friendly capacity is obtained. The bands polished vocal harmonies shine here, helping to lend to the overall commercial based environment. I challenge you to keep this one out of your head.
The melodic rock of “The Choice” is the only track here that fails to keep my full attention. Lacking that extra ounce of energy and inspiration the rest of the albums material brings to the table, this one falls a bit flat and, as a result, I tend to hit the skip button. One filler track out of nine is not bad. “The Choice” is aptly named:
But in the end the choice is left up to you
No one else can tell you what to do
Just listen to that voice deep down inside
And let your conscious be your only guide
Free will- it’s a gift that’s been given to you
Everyone has been given the right to choose
But if in doubt get on your knees and pray
“Heavenly Metal”, on the other hand, represents one of the albums finer moments. The song opens in an unearthly manner to an acoustic guitar before a driving rhythm guitar kicks in, an up-tempo environment upheld as it proceeds to a background vocal driven chorus with one of those copious hooks you will be challenged to rid of your mind. Wood tops things off with a stretch of fluid lead work. Despite its cheesy title, this one is nothing less than fun to listen to.
The edgy “Mistaken Identity” has Alice Cooper written all over it. Introduced to a bizarre amalgamation of guitar feedback and dialogue between a judge and jury, the song takes off to a hard hitting riff only to settle down upon reaching its first verse to Gugel’s spoken word delivery. A cutting rhythm guitar proceeds to slowly drive things forward, an even transition made as a raucous chorus is acquired in which a disjointed and portent environment is put into place. Wood again cuts loose with more of his searing lead guitar work.
The album hits its stride with “Keep Searching”. An unsettling church organ gets things underway until a swell of crushing rhythm guitar takes over the mix, steadfastly pushing the song ahead until it procures a quickly moving chorus underscored by an unwavering bass line. A run of blazing lead guitar work rates with the albums best. Up-tempo and catchy, I find this to be one of the more compelling tracks here not only musically but lyrically as well:
So I keep searching for a place
Where I can love and live in grace
People see the shape we’re in
We can still win
If we change within
They say we’re at the end of time
So now is the time
To Step in line
“Lucifer” is a monster of an apocalyptic track that has a slight progressive edge to it. The song begins quietly as a piano stand in support of narration from Revelation 12 and 13, the pace not picking up until Wood decorates the scene with more of his skillful work on lead guitar. Upon attaining its first verse, however, “Lucifer” again tapers off to a piano, a swirling rhythm guitar drifting in and out of the mix as the way is resolutely paved for a passage sustained by gritty spoken word delivery reinforced by a pulsating blend of drums and bass. Great, great song with a message exposing the father of lies and the antichrist:
The father of lies
If you do his bidding
You’ll surely die
Religious deception
Is his biggest trick
He sits on the throne under 666
The albums title track is one of its heavier and more guitar driven numbers. Slowly crunching through its verse portions to a heavy duty rhythm guitar, a sublime setting is put into place as “Final Warning” grandly flows to a catchy chorus delivered in a manner that is powerful but exalted at the same time. The instrumental section covering the songs final two minutes opens acoustically before a snarling rhythm guitar takes over and closes things out hard and heavy. “Final Warning” conveys exactly that:
Light in the sunrise
Beware of the flash
And don’t look up
Get on your knees
Now, this is your final, final warning
So many times you turned and walked away
This is your last and final calling
This is your final, final warning
The best way to sum up would be to state that Final Warning is a high quality album musically that is only held back by its low budget production values. Showcasing an even blend of melodic based numbers and those that reflect a classic metal feel, the album is more than worth any trouble or hardship you might face in order to obtain it. And that is the main problem. Due to its scarcity, for example, Final Warning – not to mention the mega-obscure EP Going Insane – can be a bit of a challenge to find at a reasonable price. Ebay might be your best bet but the chances are you’re going to have to pay top dollar for it. Happy hunting. One final note, it is long overdue for Final Warning and Going Insane to be re-issued on CD.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Whose To Blame” (3:10), “Outta Control” (4:33), “Where Are You?” (4:10), “The Choice” (3:46), “Heavenly Metal” (5:50), “Mistaken Identity” (4:56), “Keep Searching” (4:24), “Lucifer” (6:11), “Final Warning” (5:46)
Musicians
Chuck Gugel – Lead Vocals
Scott Wood – Guitars
Keyboards – Dan Knowles
Bassist Peter Smoltz
Drummer Keith Behnke
