Night Beat HOF: 1990-1995

This is where the rubber meets the road. 1996 is 25 years removed from 2021, so we are in the class of 1996. This means that the 90's is 1990-95.

This is the period where things really took off or totally went to Gehenna, depending on your view of things. By the 90's CCM began to settle into distinct genres that, with the exception of Summer festivals didn't exactly fellowship together. In the first two decades there was a kind of community that put everybody together in a Concert. Hey, it was all about the message. Now the message was still there, but you weren't going to have Stryper and Michael W. Smith on the same ticket.

By 1990 Pop had settled into a distinct genre and rock and metal had parted ways. Heavy metal was also beginning to splinter into hard rock and industrial along with metal, which was divided between melodic or symphonic and screamo or thrash. The synthesizer was making a big inroad into the CCM scene at this time and Dance Music began to be more accepted among the saints 

1990 is where we begin. And two of the biggest names of the Decade came from two very separate camps, IONA and Donderfliegen (Darn That Fly), which soon ditched that name for the more recognizable DEITIPHOBIA (Fear of God). IONA is a Prog-Rock powerhouse from the UK. Celtic symhonies meet some of the most talented  musicians around. Metal Mistress LEAH McHenry has been greatly influenced by IONA mainly through the  work of Troy Donockly on The Quest and Ancient Winter. DEITIPHOBIA is best described as the Father of Christian Industrial Music. 

1991 brought us Sorrow of Seven with April Lassiter on vocals and Kevin 131 Gutierrez on Programming and Guitar. Kevin also did Guitar work with DEITIPHOBIA, so there was little doubt that once the band shed it's unwieldy monicker for the more concise Aleixa (pronounced uh-Leek-uh) it would steer the course of Industrial for years to come. The Band is not Unloved.

Ring around the Rosie, pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down. Rising from the Ashes in 1992 was Circle of Dust. The heavier of the two industrial projects of Klayton (Celldweller was more rock) he plays all the instruments himself. The perfect playlist for the Zombie Apocalypse. Speaking of Zombies, our other entry for 1992 is Audio Adrenaline, who has many hits including Some Kind of Zombie.

1993 started a trend which spread like wildfire through the Church. I mean, if you want to go deeper, if you can hear the mountains tremble, or if you can sing of his live forever. If you can you may be Delirious. The British Youth Group band led by Martin Smith revolutionized the Modern Worship genre. Things were truly Jumping in the House of God.

It should be illegal to have so much talent in a small area. Four hours from Littlehampton is Manchester, where the Message To Schools Trust worked with kids in the schools. On Friday they put on a concert for the kids as the World Wide Message Tribe, which made it hip to dance in Church. David would be proud. 

Things were heating up. 1994 was a very active year. I might be tempted to say Kiss Me. Sixpence None The Richer burst on to the scene in 1994, along with Nu Metal Band Payable On Death aka P.O.D. Also making their splash were the synthpop bands Joy Electric and The Echoing Green. You might need a three day weekend.

And 1995 was when Third Day flew in like a Blackbird with their brand of 1970's Southern Rock. Mac Powell and Company created a niche in CCM that Disciple and Decyfer Down were to enter. There aren't too many bands willing to step into the shoes of Bad Company and ZZ Top.

Our final post is next. 1996. The Class of 2021. Until Next Time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

What does it take to be a legend?

A legend in Christian Music (or perhaps Music in General) shouldn't be easy to attain. It should be more than a Rock God. Of course that doesn't mean that it is an unattainable goal. All it means is it can't be attained by just starting a band, though that is the first step in the process. I think there are three main ingredients.

• Longevity: Time to the 10 cent dictionary crowd. You can't be a legend if you quit after a few years. Still, even if you are around for 5o years, that doesn't automatically guarantee legendary status.
• Popularity: To be a legend, people have to know you. That is a cruel fact but such is the case. A band can go on forever in obscurity and they will never become legendary except for the few fans that love them. So Much for ArkAngel.
• Influence: Plainly put, the music scene had to change after their arrival. Perceptibly. It goes beyond we would miss them if they weren't here. You can tell they are a legend either through the number of their "disciples" (copycats) or the fact that they changed or introduced a sound into the scene

Well that pretty much sums it up.  I have selected a baker`s dozen of bands which I consider to be legendary. 2nd Chapter of Acts, AD, The Choir, DC Talk, Iona, Jars of Clay, Phil Keaggy, Petra, REZ, Servant, Randy Stonehill, Stryper, and WWMT (aka The Tribe or World Wide Message Tribe). I have omitted what I would call Legends in the making. If you can think of any more let me know by commenting here, or at Twitter, Facebook, Or Google+, and give me your nominee. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Flashback Friday: Beyond These Shores

We begin the third cycle of our new Flashback Friday format. For those new to The Night Beat, we are rotating between three themes. The Industrial Revolution, A Real Alternative, and The Commonwealth of CCM. The latter is out starting point, and it is where we once again are. This theme is exploring those bands of the past and present which hail from the British Commonwealth.

Sometimes one instrument isn't enough. The multi-instrumentalist of today is usually a one man band (think Aaron Gillespie of The Almost of Bryce Avary of The Rocket Summer). When in the recording studio these artists can play all the instruments themselves, and usually do. To tour, however, they need to hire a road band.

The multi-instrumentalists in mind for today's post are all in a band, and all of them play multiple instruments. Think Mannheim Steamroller without the Christmas Music and you've got an idea. Formed in 1989 in England and named for the Island of IONA, they released their debut way back in 1990 and are still, technically, active. The core of the band is a trio

• Dave Bainbridge - Piano, Keyboards, Fretless Keyboard, Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Keyboard and Sequencer Programming, Tambourine
• Dave Fitzgerald - Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Concert Flute, Chinese Flute, Piccolo, Flageolet, Irish Whistle, Tenor Recorder
• Joanne Hogg - Vocals, Vocal Choir, Piano, Keyboards

Hogg and company (the O is long as in boat) filled out the band with an additional six players, giving the band the feel of a Celtic Orchestra. The band history can be split into two periods, Public and Private. In the public phase, which lasted from 1989-2000, the band put out seven albums in 10 years, a pretty amazing feat considering the nature of the songs. This isn't your standard rock fare.

• Iona (1990)
• The Book Of Kells (1992)
• Beyond These Shores (1993)
• Journey into the Morn (1995)
• Heaven's Bright Sun, Live (1997)
• Woven Cord Live w/The All Souls Orchestra (1999)
• Open Sky (2000)

Since the 21st Century, Iona has been in a period of semi-retirement, mainly due to the pressures of family life on International Touring. Still, they have managed to bring us a few new releases.

• The Circling Hour (2006)
• Live in London (2008)
• Another Realm (2011)

Iona is the hands down king of the Megasong, which as I mentioned in the linked post, is a song, to be fair, at least 6 minutes in length, maybe even longer. And no, the song that does not end doesn't count. Even more so, they are the masters of megasong length instrumental music. Case in point is Woven Cord. This is over nine minutes of instrumental heaven. You can't be bored with this.

I will close with a special treat, a full concert video. This one comes from the Final Cornerstone Festival Ever (2012). Enjoy.

Since the CD's at Amazon for Iona are all imports at high price or used CD's I have only put in affiliate links for those that can save you money by being available for download. I hope you will buy through the link and support the night beat at the same time. Next weeks edition of Flashback Friday will take on the aggressive smile pop industrial genius that is Joey Belville, The Echoing Green. Until my next post, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

In Praise of the Megasong

Nobody writes long songs anymore, at least not from my experience. Oh sure, there are pockets out there, but it usually is just the Modern Worship or Gospel Genres. At least they write songs that clock in over 5 minutes. That doesn't have to be the case. Since I go to churches that are big on the Modern Worship/Hillsong style, I have found it amazing that Churches have not capitalized on their ability to distort the time-space continuum. Seriously, how is it possible that you can take a four line chorus and make it last for a half hour while at the same time making it seem like twelve hours. It's the sanctified version of the song that does not end. (The sanctified Song That Does Not End would have to be Psalm 119. At 176 Verses long, a comfortable paced read takes approximately 30 minutes. Singing it as intended, even with modern music, probably longer.

That's not the type of song I'm talking about. The songs I'm talking about are over six minutes long, some are twice that, but the experience is such that you would think it's only two or three minutes in length. The six minute bar is intentional, for it surpasses the 5:55 run time of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Of course, nothing against Queen, but I prefer my Bohemian Rhapsody to come from high class sources. Bohemian Rhapsody is the bar. My first list of songs not only exceed that bar, they smash it. In reverse order of length.

• #10 - Sudden Death, Servant, World of Sand, 1981 (8:18) - Doing a top ten list, this one winds up the shortest. It stands as a megasong on its own, though it is also part of a two song "rock opera"
• #9 - Trilogy, Iona, Iona, 1991 (8:34) - This is where it all begins. This Progressive Rock/Celtic band from the UK almost can't make a song under 5 minutes. This is from their eponymous debut, though not their longest or best.
• #8 - Songs of Ascent Pt. 2, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:06)
• #7 - Bird of Heaven, Iona, Beyond These Shores, 1993 (9:09)
• #6 - Castlerigg, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:25)
• #5 - Woven Cord, Iona, Open Sky, 2000 (9:28)
• #4 - Boomerang feat Tracy Truells, Cloud 2 Ground, The Gate, 2000 (11:18) - Wow, a song not by Iona made the list. This Trance/Techno band by Chad Petree and Jeremy Dawson is great.
• #3 - Encircling, Iona, Journey Into the Morn, 1995 (11:38)

• #2 - Matthew-The Man, Iona, The Book of Kells, 1992 (11:54)
• #1 - Sodom, Jerusalem, Warrior, 1981 (12:33)

I have praised Sodom many many times before, so I wont say anything this time. If you take away the Iona songs, not only is the list only three songs long, but two of the songs are written in 1981. See what I mean, nobody does it anymore.

I'm going to do a cheat here. In the era of mp3 files, there are certain songs that would be megasongs if they were not split into two. The songs may have been intentionally recorded as two songs, but they either, because of theme or the fact that they have barely a millisecond of space between them. Here are three two part megasongs.

• #3 - Destroy/Savior, Worth Dying For, Love Riot (6:31)
• #2 - Tourniquet/Imaginary, Evanescence, Fallen (8:55)
• #1 - Sudden Death/Come Jesus Come, Servant, World of Sand (11:55) Sudden Death and its companion song Come Jesus Come were billed as a two song "rock opera". It was written in honor of a death by auto accident of members of the Servant Community.

This has been a special edition of Flashback Friday. If you know of a mega song that you love, please share it with me by commenting. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Flashback Friday: Swedish Metal

No this isn't a post extolling the virtues of Saab and Volvo. This is still a Flashback Friday video post. Music is still the subject. No, I'm not kidding. You know, there is more to music and Sweden than ABBA. Actually, Sweden played a part in Christian Heavy Metal history.

Jerusalem was founded way back in 1975 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its founder and lead singer was (or actually, is) Ulf Christiansson. Rock always was Second to Jerusalem, Evangelism was at the forefront. They were always proud to be In His Majesty's Service.

The first two albums were simply called Volume 1 and Volume 2. Their Breakout, and the album that launched their first tour of America, was Warrior in 1982. For DJ's like me, the most famous song on warrior was Sodom. Now, don't get your fur ruffled. It was about the moral condition of the entire world now and how "It seems like we've got lots in common, we've evolved in a very strange way. It seems like we've come full circle, Sodom in the world today. This is the complete audio. It's over twelve minutes of Metal Heaven. Jerusalem, like Rez here in the States, never shirked from Social Commentary, and sometimes their music was eerily prophetic. On their album Dancing On The Head of the Serpent, which featured a Snake crushed under a boot, an image to controversial for Swedish Christians, was a song called We're Going to Take Europe, and invoking that "The Walls of Europe are going to fall, by the power of God. As a Word of Faith adherent (Name it and Claim it for you haters), from 1988 to 1991 the word went out, and then the Walls Fell, by the Power Of God. They released an album (in Swedish) called SHE in 2010.
Jerusalem wasn't the only Swedish Metal Band. Leviticus came from Skovde, Bjornn Stiggson was the founder. Most of their albums were in Swedish, but The Strongest Power was released to the United States. While it's not surprising when Christians find songs in the Bible, they usually stick to the Psalms, the official song book. Leviticus took on a more obscure source. Judges, and the song of Deborah and Barak. Leviticus didn't have the staying power of Jerusalem. They disbanded in 1990, but they, along with Jerusalem, paved the way for the Success of Christian Rock in Europe. Delirious, Savior Machine, Iona, they all probably wouldn't have made headway without their Scandinavian brethren taking the original slings and arrows. I mean, when you think of European music, you think of Classical, not Heavy Metal. There probably wouldn't be a Frizon Festival. And the rock tradition continues to this day. Blindside is a post hardcore band that hails from Tumba, Sweden. I will close with a video from their 2004 album (it's the first one I found). This is All of Us That concludes this edition of Flashback Friday. There will be a special Flashback Friday next week. In honor of the 30th Anniversary of Petra's More Power To Ya, I will be doing a review of the album next Friday. Until my next post, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Four

We are now at day four of the Greatest Christian Albums Ever, as determined by CCM Magazine a decade ago. We begin today at number 70 on the list.

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, 2001

• 70 - Going Public, Newsboys, Star Song, 1994
• 69 - Long Way From Paradise, Allies, Dayspring, 1989
• 68 - The Book of Kells, Iona, Forefront, 1992
• 67 - Lie Down in the Grass, Charlie Peacock, Exit, 1984
• 66 - The Basics of Life, 4HIM, Benson, 1992
• 65 - Matters of the Heart, Bob Bennett, Priority, 1982
• 64 - Love Broke Thru, Phil Keaggy, NewSong, 1976
• 63 - Horrendous Disk, Daniel Amos, Solid Rock, 1980
• 62 - Alarma, Daniel Amos, NewPax, 1981
• 61 - Return, The Winans, Quest, 1990

We'll start off right at the top this time. I can't really argue with any of the ones here (Well I can always gripe about stuff like 4HIM, and I don't know Bob Bennett), but you can always argue rank.

We'll start with the Newsboys. I must admit to be somewhat ignorant regarding the bands early works. I have heard a lot of the songs, but not as to complete albums. I came in to their orbit with Take Me To Your Leader and Step Up to the Microphone. Suffice it to say that a band of their talent deserves to be on this list, but there could probably be more selections on it. I am more partial toThrive. Needless to say, the band has talent, both natural and passed down. I don't think all former frontman Peter Furler got from Mylon LeFevre was his daughter Summer. I think the former Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart frontman passed on a treasure trove of advice, which the band used to great advantage. That reminds me, where is Broken Heart in the Top 100?

Same rationale for IONA. This band is one of the great British Invasions (the other was The Beatles). Like the Newsboys my biggest problem isn't that TBOK isn't on this list but it's that it is the Only IONA selection. This group has put out consistently awesome material. I really love Beyond These Shores but that can hardly be a favorite. This is one of those groups that really can't put out a stinker album. They are like the Brandon Ebel of bands. Open Sky is also a winner. Enough Said.

There is no true student of CCM who does not recognize the contributions of both Charlie Peacock and Phil Keaggy to the industry. Both are accomplished guitarists, though Keaggy much more so and for much longer, while Peacock, though a great musician, has become much more famous as a Producer. Peacock (his real name Charles Ashworth) recently hosted the release party of his latest protege, Nathan Tasker with a webcast from his studios courtesy of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Finally, a word regarding Daniel Amos, they have two selections alone in this list, and they are worthy. Again, Pioneers should be recognized. Though because of my DJ day's I am more a fan of Vox Humana. They started in the Jesus Music days and were mentioned in the Stanley-Livingston skit from Servant's Jungle Music. (Stanley "I lost the Daniel Amos in the River. It was a pity." Livingston "How Alarming"). I think when most people get name dropped in another album, it's fair to say they have arrived. Until Tomorrow. Awaiting Your Reply.

Related Posts:

• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Two
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Three
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Five
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Six
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Seven
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Eight
• The Greatest Christian Albums Ever?, Part Nine
• The 10 Greatest Christian Albums Ever?