Barren Cross..... revisited...

Back in the day I used to play BC all the time... Until I finally burned myself out on them.... Then they broke up so it made the pool of available material limited....

I've been spinning both Atomic Arena and Rock For the King and I really still enjoy both, but Atomic Arena is definitely their best album from consistency's standpoint musically...

State of Control was patchy with pretty sterile production... I mean how do you tame a Mega Boogie amp???? Elefante bros did... I still love some of the tunes especially 2000 Years... wow!!

I'm glad lyrically they expanded beyond a 3 min+ evangelism msg.... I think that is what helps to give their music some of the statying power...

Rattle Your Cage is their rawest but heaviest sounding album imo... There are some Christian bands that I just cant handle anymore but BC seems to be one that has stood the test of time...

Too bad we'll probably never get a new album.... Too much and not enough action....

Their albums are ones that should get proper remaster and reissues, but I'm sure due to the litigation costs it'll never happen.... Just like White Cross or Bride material on StarSong/EMI....

Any thoughts??

I totally agree, I would also like to see a reissue of the original E.P. "Believe" as I have never heard it. "Rattle Your Cage" is by far my favorite BC album and I would love a reissue with bonus tracks. "Hotter than Hell" is another that severely needs an update as the original has terrible production.

Atomic Arena is one of the best metal albums ever........secular or Christian. IMO, of course.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Atomic Arena is a Top Ten album of all time for me.

BARREN CROSS forever same with BLOODGOOD, STRYPER, or old BRIDE, timeless music. It sounded great back in the day, during the 90s, today and in 60 years.

I have all the BC albums, but with the exception of Rattle Your Cage, haven't played a full one in years (a number of tracks are on my favourites playlist). Time to break them out again!

BC was one of my favorites back in late high school. Mike Lee was a huge influence on my singing early on. I loved the first 3 albums but when they dropped out, my interest did too. I had RYC when it came out, but it failed to make an impression on me at the time. I have not heard any of their material in years.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Atomic Arena is a Top Ten album of all time for me.

Atomic Arena is an AWESOME album!!!!

I never heard of this band, unit FF started raving about them, as a teen, the only Christian metal bands I had heard of where Stryper ( I sort of liked them), The Rez Band (loathed them) and later on Vengeance Rising thanks to Guitar World.

So to me this entire genre of Christian metal is a mystery to me. I did enjoy Barren Cross and 'Atomic Arena' is a kick as... I meant a rockin' album!

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

BC was one of my favorites back in late high school. Mike Lee was a huge influence on my singing early on. I loved the first 3 albums but when they dropped out, my interest did too. I had RYC when it came out, but it failed to make an impression on me at the time. I have not heard any of their material in years.

you should give ryc another try. I bet you'll "get" it now.

Rattle Your Cage has its moments but it doesn't come close to Atomic or State IMO.

...although when it came out in '94 I liked it just fine. I suppose at the time I was just happy to have one of my favorite bands back in action.

Those first three albums aged well imo and RYC, about half is still listenable.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Those first three albums aged well imo and RYC, about half is still listenable.

That song on RYC about Mike offering the girl at the bus stop his umbrella (whatever it's called) makes me cringe. "Daddy wouldn't like you either -- aaaah-aaaaaahhhh-AAAAAHHHHH-aaaaahhhhhh!"

Fat Freddy wrote:

Dark Horseman wrote:

Those first three albums aged well imo and RYC, about half is still listenable.

That song on RYC about Mike offering the girl at the bus stop his umbrella (whatever it's called) makes me cringe. "Daddy wouldn't like you either -- aaaah-aaaaaahhhh-AAAAAHHHHH-aaaaahhhhhh!"

I don't even own a copy of RYC! I borrowed a copy from a friend years ago, made a cassette dub that is LONG gone and only listened to it a few times. I remember being deeply disappointed with the album at the time.

While "Rock for the King" is still my favorite BC, Atomic Arena is still awesome as well. State of Control, well, it's good, but it's not one I've ever revisited often.

Never heard Rattle Your Cage, but it sounds like I should? Some saying It's their heaviest!!??

I just picked up a copy of atomic arena and state of control. I dig Atomic Arena way more..just a heavy solid album!

I recently revisited some old christian bands and BC sounded so very good, all 4 studio albums sounded great.

Bride and Bloodgood not so much and I don't know why, and I love those bands. Maybe the next time I break them out they will sound fresh. I hope so.

great band

I saw them probably 20 times in 1987 alone

I havent listened to them in years. Ill have to get the cds out.

T-Roy wrote:

While "Rock for the King" is still my favorite BC, Atomic Arena is still awesome as well. State of Control, well, it's good, but it's not one I've ever revisited often.

Never heard Rattle Your Cage, but it sounds like I should? Some saying It's their heaviest!!??

By Far!! A must listen album.

You've all inspired me. Now I've got to break out the Barren Cross collection.

Regarding RYC, there are three songs on that CD (Here I Am, Time For Love, and Midnight Son) that I think are absolutely awesome, three of my all time favorite Barren Cross songs.

JBall_Z wrote:

You've all inspired me. Now I've got to break out the Barren Cross collection.

Regarding RYC, there are three songs on that CD (Here I Am, Time For Love, and Midnight Son) that I think are absolutely awesome, three of my all time favorite Barren Cross songs.

my favorites are "let it go and let it die" and "someplace faraway"

I loved this band once upon a time! Didn't care for Rock for the King as I thought it was a bit glammy sounding for my tastes. Atomic Arena and State of Control were absolutely phenomenal in my opinion. Rattle Your Cage was good for the most part but there's a few LAME songs on it that I constantly skip when I would listen to it.

Would really be nice if they released a new album!

I want a new album but I wonder what it would sound like? Would it be listenable?

I have Rattle Your Cage and Atomic Arena, both are great (though I agree with Lurideath-yeah, I'm suprised too -that there are a few lame songs on RYC).