"...In the end it all begins"
Holy Soldier is a band that has secured their position as one of the most important and identifiable bands in CCM rock & roll history. The group, which formed in Los Angeles in 1985, distilled so much of the music that had come before them and has exerted a decisive influence on so much that has come after. Very few artist and musicians in their genre have achieved that stature and stand proudly among them.
Every album the group released through the early Nineties - from Holy Soldier (self -titled) in 1990 to Promise Man in 1995, is essential not only to gain an understanding of the music of that era, but to an understanding of the era itself. Through their intense interest in hard rock, classic rock, and the blues, Holy Soldier connected a young audience to music that was neither anticipated nor acceptable with the narrow-minded - middle America -church going families this young audience came from. What is remarkable is that Holy Soldier's sound has never been classified as overtly CCM music but they would still become legendary in that marketplace. Soon, of course, Holy Soldier had become somewhat controversial for their lyrics, their image and even for the secular venues in which they chose to perform, as they became synonymous with scrutiny from certain religious leaders and religious groups of that era.
For this reason, as the eighties drained into the Nineties, Holy Soldier went on a creative run that rivals any in Hard Rock music. Holy Soldier routinely turns up on lists of the greatest Hard and Metal albums of all time, and deservedly so. In support of the release, band launched a tour that reached over 60 cities across the US, Japan and Canada. The album went on to sweep the Hard Rock award categories at the 1991 Dove Awards taking home Hard Rock Album and Hard Rock Recorded Song of the year.
Before the band went to work on Last Train, guitarist Michael Cutting departed and was replaced by Scott Soderstrom- a Minneapolis based guitarist whose melodic flair counterbalanced guitarist Jamie Cramer's insistent, irreducible rhythmic drive, adding a different element to the band's sound, and opened new musical directions.
In January of 1992, "Last Train" was released. The album immediately went up Billboards CCM sales chart to number 10. The title track "Last Train," went up the CCM rock charts to number 2 and received an award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International for "Superior Creativity in Words and Music." Once again, Holy Soldier hit the road embarking on a 50 city nationwide tour and tours in Europe, Canada, Central America and Mexico.
By 1993, Holy Soldier was now an indomitable force on the music scene, and they have continued to be to this day. At this period Jamie Cramer departed and guitarist Michael Cutting re-entered, adding another key element to the musical evolution of Holy Soldier.
In 1995, the band's album, Promise Man, had to rise to the challenge of the dominating the alternative scene. The title track Promise Man unveiled energy and attitude the band had defined a decade earlier. Holy Soldier even swung with the sinuous grooves of the delta blues on the track Mumbo Jumbo. The album was also reviewed as one of the best of that decade- proven in the fact that it too swept the Dove Awards in 1996 taking home Hard Rock Album and Hard Rock Recorded Song of the year.
More significantly, though, Holy Soldier has set a standard for live performance during their time. That is an achievement completely in accord with the band's history. Holy Soldier used their release Encore (1997) to celebrate their classic repertoire, by releasing live versions of their greatest hits. As the final album of their career, Encore finds the band at its rawest and most rhythmically charged, a reflection of elements that attracted their audience and their industry in the first place- that being their live show.
The flame was lit again with a full reunion nine years later, and it's burning still. Since 2005, the band has been performing live again to ecstatic response. Holy Soldier's live success during this new period is not a matter world tours and box-office breakthroughs, though the band has enjoyed plenty of both. It's about demonstrating a vital, ongoing commitment to the idea that performing and promoting their spiritual message is what keeps a band truly alive.
But, for all that, Holy Soldier is best understood as musicians, and their own acceptance of that fact is what has enabled them to carry on so well for so long. Michael Cutting's and Jamie Cramer's guitar playing, solos and melodic riffs are the propulsive engines that drive Holy Soldier and make their music instantly recognizable. Bassist Andy Robbins delivers both complex and solid driving rhythms throughout their songs, and colors and textures the band's music with melodic touches. And The Animal, needless to say, is one of Christian rock's most energetic and animated drummers. He is both the rock that anchors the bands music and the force that swings it. At times elegant in his simplicity and other at times soaring in his impact, none of his gestures are wasted; all are necessary.
Musicians live and create in the moment, and that's why fans still go see Holy Soldier. Certainly there's also a catalogue of songs that only a handful of artists could rival. Surely there's also the desire to encounter a band that has played a pristine role in defining our very idea of what CCM Music is. But seeing Holy Soldier on stage enjoying themselves live is to see a working band playing as hard as they can, and there's no last time for that.
Sorry to hear about your problems with the label. Sometimes they just don't understand how stuff like this really hurts the fans. We heard a lot of these stories when we were in Nashville with Ricky B., Randy Thomas and Tim Gaines. I can relate to your frustration. You guys really rock and I appreciate you using your talents for the Lord. God bless, and me and my bandmates will be sure to keep your situation in prayer. Phil - OBK
Hey!! Thanks really a lot for the add and God bless!!! Please, have a look to our italian christian rock/metal webzine, we have articles, live-reports, reviews and interviews both in the english and in the italian version! We have also a forum/messageboard with an english section dedicated to the foreign users/visitors! Check it all at:
Psalm 75 1 Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. 2 When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly. 3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah. 4 I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: 5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. 8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. 9 But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
HI THERE I AM PASTOR GAYLA PRICE AND THE LEADER AND FOUNDER OF THE BAND AND GROUP AWESOME METAL MIGHT MINISTRIES. WE LOVE SONGS SEE NO EVIL, STRANGERS, CRAZY, THE EYE OF INNOCENT, LOVE ME, HALLOW EVE, ETC. YOU GUYS FELLOWS TOTALLY ROCK FOR JESUS CHRIST AND KICK THE DEVIL WHERE IT HURTS OUT OF YOUR SOUND. AND HOPE ONE DAY GOD WILL BRING US TOGETHER IN PERSON. GOD BLESS YOU IN JESUS WONDERFUL NAME PASTOR GAYLA PRICE AND AWESOME METAL MIGHT MINISTRIES
Cheers my friend. Just passing to wish you a great day. Sharing a cold one with your friends is some of the most fun you can have with you pants on !!! "Fear no beer" and always, Rock Hard... Timo kaarkoski - Temple of Sin
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
Thank you for the friendship,it´s much appreciated.Great stuff,Stranger is awesome.King regards from Finland.!!!-Jussi-
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