| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Neon Cross |
| Record Label: Regency | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1988 | Artist Website: Neon Cross |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 42:05 |
The history of Neon Cross dates back to the mid-eighties when friends Don Webster, Mitch Kent and Michael Betts played together in the same band while attending El Segundo High School in Southern California. After Kent was the first of the three to become a Christian, he played an instrumental role in Webster and Betts making a decision for Christ. Subsequently forming a Christian metal band, the three rounded out its line up with talented frontman David Raymond Reeves after placing an ad in a local classified paper seeking a lead vocalist.
One evening as the band was driving down the Hollywood freeways, Webster looked out the window and pointed out a "neon cross"- which ended up sticking as the bands name. (If you look off the Santa Monica Freeway just before you reach Sunset Boulevard on your way to Hollywood, you will see a neon cross by Brentwood Village Church.) Neon Cross proceeded to record a popular five song demo entitled Frontline Life before placing the tracks "I Need Your Love" and "Son Of God" on the California Metal compilation in 1987. After Ed Ott replaced Mitch Kent on bass, Neon Cross recorded its self-titled 1988 Regency Records debut.
Playing a mostly mid-tempo paced brand of eighties influenced melodic metal, Neon Cross showcases the emotionally charged lead vocals of David Raymond Reeves who brings a high pitched classic tenor vocal style to the band. Lead guitarist Don Webster might not quite have the talent to match the likes of Tony Palacios (Guardian) or David Zaffiro (Bloodgood), but he more than holds his own in putting forth a very fine and creditable performance. Drummer Michael Betts and bassist Ed Ott effectively round out the rhythm section.
While Neon Cross' self-titled debut gives prominence to crisp and full sounding sonics, its production values would have benefited from a bit of big budget polish. A good crunchy rhythm guitar sound underscores a near perfect mix of lead guitar. As a result of a bit of muddiness in the low end, on the other hand, the rhythm section does not always stand out in the mix as it should.
I like how the albums artwork showcases a sword driven into the earth with the bands name in the heavens above the scene. The track listing on the back of the CD, however, does not follow the order the order the songs are played back.
The infectious melody line of album opener "Heartbreaker" helps to place it among the albums better material. The crunchy rhythm guitar initiating the song drives it in an energy-laden manner to a chorus with a catchy refuse to go away hook. Webster tops things off with several seconds of sharp sounding lead guitar work.
The up-tempo "Frontline Life" moves at a much faster pace when compared to "Heartbreaker". Opening to a high pitched scream from Reeves, background vocals accent "Frontline Life" during its first verse before Reeves engages in a trade off with the background vocals in question upon reaching its chorus:
TRY to hold a little longer - TRY to keep from going under
Reeves delivers another one of his ear piercing scream to open "We Are The Children (Of Our Lord)". Displaying the extreme outer range of his voice during the songs verse portions, he settles down a bit once it arrives at a high octane chorus carried at an upbeat tempo. Webster contributes thirty seconds of fast paced lead guitar work. The second coming is the subject matter to "We Are The Children (Of Our Lord)":
Growing ever closer to the day
Redemption growth nigh
As a flash from east to west
Son of Man coming in the sky
See it all around you now
The signs of His return are burning bright
And we've come to speak the truth
Telling all it could be tonight
Reeves introduces the short (2:34) but heavy "On The Rock" by stating, "We'll never lose it. We're on the Rock!" A crunchy guitar riff proceeds to propel the song ahead hard and heavy until Reeves engages in another trade off with the bands vocal harmonies during its chorus. Webster follows with a nail biting guitar solo.
A quietly played guitar line slowly carries "I'm Not Alone" through its first verse before it quickly takes off when the rhythm guitar enters the mix at the start of the second. After reaching a fast paced chorus that repeats the songs title four straight times, "I'm Not Alone" stops dead in its tracks as the instrumentation drops from the mix leaving Reeves to sing acappella. "I'm Not Alone" invites its listeners to experience eternal life:
When the veil was lifted, tears ran down my face
Joy and sorrow mixed as one, as there it had begun
I was covered by the grace of God!
Our eyes they see, but only that you'll allow
You gotta open up your hear, and let Him there inside
You gotta turn from selfish pride
I'm not alone! I'm not alone!
Penned by Dino Elefante, the commercial hard rock of "Right Time" stands out with its superb melody line. Kicking in to a drum solo, the song evenly progresses through its first verse before making a transition to a radio friendly chorus backed by polished vocal harmonies. I wish the band had elaborated upon an instrumental passage limited to several seconds of restrained lead guitar work.
The vocal harmonies introducing "Run Into The Light" give way to a drum solo and a catchy riff that carries it forward in energetic fashion. Incrementally building and gaining impetus through its verse portions, a ton of up-tempo momentum takes the song to a near mesmerizing non-stop hook filled chorus. "Run Into The Light" points the way to salvation:
Dark of night has fallen! There's no time to run!
You've got to stop pretending! You're under the gun!
It's your own decision. Will you live or die?
Give your life to Jesus, or hold onto a lie?
Run into the light...
"Far Cry (From Eden)" begins to a slowly moving blues flavored guitar line before proceeding through its first verse at a steady mid-tempo pace. Subsequently switching gears, the song abruptly picks up in pace for a chorus in which Reeves displays the abundant range to his voice. Webster's fast paced lead guitar work puts the finishing touches on a song focusing on the dangers of being indifferent to the needs of those around us:
Do you know what's really black or white?
Just because nobody said it's wrong does that make it right?
And in the end who's got to pay?
Should we merely close our eyes, watch our families waste away?
Well, are we so afraid to cry?
A somber mood is created as the ringing bells at the start of "Outta The Way" give way to an acoustic guitar as Reeves exhibits a quieter side to his vocal abilities during its first verse. Once the rhythm guitar steps forward just before the start of the second, Reeves cuts loose with a scream and quickly takes the song to a chorus reinforced in a strong manner by vocal harmonies.
Closing the album in a straightforward hard rock direction, "Victory" moves ahead to an edgy rhythm guitar before smoothly advancing on a catchy chorus ending to the sound of clanging cowbells. An instrumental passage limited to several brief seconds of lead guitar work does not quite make the grade. "Victory" deals with spiritual warfare:
Out of the dark and into the light, we're called to fight
With immortal strength we serve our King
Demons hide and howl, fearing our light, fearing His power
Commissioned by our King, to conquer the spiritual realm
Pushing hard all the way running on to victory...
While Neon Cross does not break any new ground on its self-titled debut, the album proves a solid effort in combining a consistent songwriting job with the bands strengths in the areas of lead vocals and rhythm guitar. "Run Into The Light" is by far the albums strongest track; however, "Heartbreaker" and "Right Time" both stand out with their catchy melody lines, while creative "Outta The Way" and "I'm Not Alone" both hold up equally well.
Please note that the album was re-issued on CD in 2001 with four of the five tracks appearing on Frontline Life and the songs "I Need Your Love" and "Son Of God" from the California Metal compilation.
Reviewed by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Heartbreaker" (3:45), "Frontline Life" (3:31), "We Are The Children (Of Our Lord)", "On The Rock" (2:41), "I’m Not Alone" (5:57), "Right Time" (4:09), "Run Into The Light" (4:30), "Far Cry (From Eden)" (4:33), "Outta The Way" (3:50), "Victory" (4:04)
Musicians
David Raymond Reeves – Lead Vocals
Don Webster – Guitars
Ed Ott – Drums
Michael Betts - Drums
Also Reviewed: Various Artists - California Metal
Reference List
Peterson, Doug. "Neon Cross." White Throne 3 (1987): 4-7.
"Neon Cross Interview." Take A Stand (April 1988): 1-2.
