Oracle - Desolate Kings (better than I thought it would be)

Confession - I bought this because of:

1) Shawn - I wanted to support his work

2) The artwork is fantastic

3) I remember hearing a sample long ago that I though had promise


That being said, I didn't expect much. I was conceding that this would be simply a cool collector's CD that wouldn't get much play.

I was wrong.

These are some seriously good songs with good chops both musically and vocally. I have no idea how I missed Oracle the "first time around" as I spent countless hours at Christian book stores in the 80's and 90's looking for new stuff.

Kudos! The packaging is great and the material is worthy.

I have the old split with Emerald but I plan on buying this as it has tons of new material and probably waaay superior sound.

Yes, that's one of things I keep saying to myself...it sounds good.

So I have to buy it then. I have been on my Christian metal kick lately (despite not being a believer) after I bought the latest Saint album.

You should pay more attention to what I say, Scott. Then you'd know how good this is

Thanks guys...

And yeah, this version has a bunch of stuff not on the Emerald split and sounds MILES better...

S wrote:

Thanks guys...

And yeah, this version has a bunch of stuff not on the Emerald split and sounds MILES better...

I gotta get his ASAP then. As soon as I complete my Saint collection that is.

WOW! I also had the old split ep with Emerald and really liked it. I definitely have to get this CD then. Love these old Christian metal bands that are getting back with it! Would love to hear Fear Not come back as well!!

It's a fantastic album. Glad I picked this up.

I managed to pick up the original pressing of Selah last year -and very impressive it is too. With the extras on this, I could be persuaded once more!

yeah so where's the link where I get to hear the improved sound and etc..

I don't have any of the remastered versions online...I need to get some ripped and put on MySpace...the only trouble with that is that MySpace is only like a 128 stream...they probably won't sound a lot better than the originals that are there no matter what I do...

Quote :

You should pay more attention to what I say, Scott. Then you'd know how good this is

When will I learn? You're a fount of solid info!!

Got it too. This kinda metal is right up my alley. Reminds me of a mixture between Watchtower and Maiden.

Dave the Boss wrote:

Got it too. This kinda metal is right up my alley. Reminds me of a mixture between Watchtower and Maiden.

That's exactly what one of our Heaven't Metal reviews said...

Glad ya'll are digging it...wish I could get into doing some more Metal these days...

scottmitchell74 wrote:

.... I have no idea how I missed Oracle the "first time around" as I spent countless hours at Christian book stores in the 80's and 90's looking for new stuff.
....

I did too, but I don't think it made it to too many of those. I got the demo (Captain Crunch) through the mail from the band, and I somehow found a copy of the Selah CD used, years ago, like 10 or more. I don't think that CD ever had actual professional distribution. Or am I wrong?

This band was awesome! Truthfully, there were a few band who only had demos out back then that were better than a lot of the stuff the rekkid companies picked up. Oracle and Consecrator were two of the most notable IMO.

Thanks for the kind words, Chris...

And no, Oracle never had commercial/professional distribution...Intense turned us down, R.E.X. turned us down, Metal Blade turned us down, whatever label Jesus Freaks was on turned us down, Century Media turned us down, Roadracer turned us down...a parade of rejection...haha!

Back then if you were lucky enough to make a recording on your own and were not signed to a label, it was basically fanzine reviews and mail order...

I like the release. I think Tribunal did a great job giving Oracle a proper re-release.

exact33 wrote:

I like the release. I think Tribunal did a great job giving Oracle a proper re-release.

I think so too...glad you dig it.

Quote :

Intense turned us down, R.E.X. turned us down, Metal Blade turned us down, whatever label Jesus Freaks was on turned us down, Century Media turned us down, Roadracer turned us down...a parade of rejection...haha!

That's amazing! Every one of those lables had some major league crap "back in the day" but you guys don't get picked up?

scottmitchell74 wrote:

Quote :

Intense turned us down, R.E.X. turned us down, Metal Blade turned us down, whatever label Jesus Freaks was on turned us down, Century Media turned us down, Roadracer turned us down...a parade of rejection...haha!

That's amazing! Every one of those lables had some major league crap "back in the day" but you guys don't get picked up?

Nope...one label even said "You just sound too much like other Metal bands..." implying that we were clones of some type...we asked them "Well, what bands?" and they couldn't answer...haha!

Confession #2

Scott's statement on top was my exact thoughts! Until I listened to it! And I have to confess I had not heard much before! Man was I missing out this is a great slab of metal! Killer stuff Shawn!

At least they got back to you. Haha. We don't even get rejection letters.

But you guys sound too much like other metal bands, you even share the same genre. Next time, try to sign with Blue Note, a label who would appreciate the diversity.

Thanks Bill...

Odd thing.

Last night I popped this cd in my car stereo and it won't recognize the disc. Plays fine in the home stereo and work boom-box. After the car stereo spit it out, I popped in the Moshketeers with no issues and played The Sword this morning no problem, so it's not the cd player.

Weird.