Jump to content

A whole mess of classic Christian Metal


Recommended Posts

Pinched this from another forum...

 

Intense Millennium Records is a partnership between Divine Metal Distro, Roxx Productions, and two additional individuals Josh Dieckmann and Sandy Scafedi. We have come together under this one umbrella to form a company that is dedicated to releasing fully licensed material from one of the most prolific group of record labels to exist in the Christian Metal scene, the Intense/Frontline/Alarma Records group. This will be the first time that many of these titles will have seen any form of quality release since their original releases back in the 1980s & 1990s.

 

Our first batch of releases is scheduled for release in November of 2010 and include classic albums from Vengeance Rising, Sacred Warrior and Bloodgood. All of our releases will be completely re-mastered to give these albums the best modern audio quality that is available today. As well each release will have brand new artwork based on the original cover designs, along with 8 page booklets complete with lyrics, and liner notes. When possible bonus material will be added as well.

 

The first 5 titles that will be released are:

Vengeance - Human Sacrifice

Vengeance_Rising_-_Human_Sacrifice_cover.jpg

Few albums can claim to have started a musical movement like "Human Sacrifice". While thrash metal had already been well established by 1988, only a handful of bands had attempted to combine such fast, heavy music with lyrics reflecting faith in Christ. None of these bands had released anything more than demos or a couple tracks on compilations until this monster of an album came roaring onto the scene. Fusing fast riffing, driving bass and drums, hyper-speed bluesy lead guitar, and just enough melody to make things more memorable, "Human Sacrifice" did more than just introduce Christianity to the genre - it revolutionized the developing style of "Christian metal" in a way no previous band or album had done. Vengeance Rising raised the stakes and gave fellow thrashers a unique album that set the bar for future releases.

 

Vengeance Rising - Once Dead

133_12_19_2006_5_10_55_oncedead.jpg

Where Vengeance Rising's debut "Human Sacrifice" stormed onto the scene and created quite a stir, "Once Dead" tightened the thrash attack into a well-oiled machine. While the band's debut was experimental and diverse, "Once Dead" was a snapshot of a band seasoned by touring and songwriting, with a more consistent approach that capitalized on thrash metal's calling card - velocity. Vengeance Rising's second album is rife with fast, thrashy anthems that take their sound to the next level, ramping up the volume, intensity, and energy even more. When other thrash bands were starting to slow down, Vengeance Rising took the opposite approach for maximum effect.

 

Sacred Warrior - Rebellion

217_09_29_2009_6_27_06_Sacred%20Warrior%20-%20Rebellion.jpg

The burgeoning Christian metal movement had several notable bands by the mid 1980's. None, however, took the progressive elements of pioneers like Queensryche and Fates Warning and combined them with the pure energy and heaviness present in much of the thrash metal of the time. Enter Sacred Warrior - a band that skillfully and successfully combined these two elements to create a metallic attack that rivaled many of their contemporaries, and stands the test of time as one of the greats of the era. “Rebellion”, the band’s auspicious debut, capitalizes on that potent mixture by offering up searing riffs, lightning fast solos, soaring vocals, and a rhythm section that thundered with authority.

 

Bloodgood - Bloodgood

123_01_23_2010_8_22_40_51JEFowxulL._SS500_.jpg

Heavy Metal has been accused by its detractors as all sounding the same. While the mid-80’s saw a glut of metal bands cashing in on the style, many of which sounded the same as the next band, no one could accuse Bloodgood of being a sound-alike. Combining a melodic, classic heavy metal approach with the uniquely operatic vocals of Les Carlson, Bloodgood carved out its own niche in the metal scene by offering up listeners a potent mix of high-pitched vocal wails, melodic yet energetic guitar riffing, a tight rhythm section, and memorable songs that would stay with you for weeks. This powerful blend came shining through on Bloodgood’s self-titled debut album, and quickly set the bar for metal bands wishing to share their faith with the world.

 

Bloodgood - Detonation

123_09_28_2009_2_16_32_Bloodgood%20-%20Detonation.jpg

Bloodgood’s second album, “Detonation”, was the perfect follow-up to their high-energy debut, and raised the bar even higher for faith-based metal bands. The fast songs were faster, the emotion in the songs was more intense, and the musical attack was tighter. The lyrics were also stronger, as the band took on some fairly unpopular topics like suicide and homelessness. Truly a landmark album in the scene, this classic contains the duo of songs “Crucify” and “Messiah” that showed what a real metal band could do with such emotionally charged subject matter and pull it off with such ease.

 

Beginning in January of 2011 we will unleash two classic Frontline titles per month. With such a vast catalog of titles at our finger tips we welcome any suggestions from you the fans in regards to what titles you would like to see released the soonest. There is currently a poll on our website, feel free to stop by and let your voice be heard.

 

Visit our website at: http://www.intensemillennium.com to stay up to date on the latest news.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

By the way, folks, if you go to the web site mentioned at the end of the press release, you'll find a list of the old Intense/Frontline titles and vote on which one(s) you'd most like to see reissued. Could y'all do me a favor and vote for Sacred Warrior's OBSESSIONS there so they'll put it out quick and I can get rid of the crap-ass Greek bootleg I've been living with for a couple of years now? Thanks. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I voted for Recon, but there's a lot of Frontline/Intense titles missing. Perhaps they're only concentrating on the heavier ones???

 

The Frontline/Intense/Alarma catalog includes a lot of bands/styles, but yea, I would imagine that they're gonna concentrate on the heavier stuff first, at least until that stuff gets reissued and they have to go deeper into the vaults, so to speak.

 

Good call on Recon's BEHIND ENEMY LINES by the way. Even though I wouldn't need a new one as I am still quite happy with the M8/Magdalene Records reissue from 2001. :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I was hoping to see X-Sinner's "Get It" or Messiah Prophet "Master of the Metal" Up for re-issue.. SO I voted for Die Happy.. Haven't heard that in DOG years, and it's pretty good stuff as I recall.... :headbanger:

 

Wouldn't mind either one of those two getting back out into the marketplace again, but unfortunately X-Sinner and Messiah Prophet were not part of the Intense/Frontline label. (X-Sinner was on Pakaderm Recs. and Messiah Prophet were on Pure Metal)

And yeah, that first Die Happy album smokes!! That's one of my fave early 90s records. The second disc, not quite so much. It has its moments, but it's quite a directional shift from the first album. Still worth a listen if ya like bluesy metal ala Badlands. (the album BLOOD by Red Sea, which was Robyn Kyle Basauri's post-Die Happy band, is excellent as well!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Already got the Recon original. Couldnt care less about Sacred Warrior or Vengeance Rising. My top wants from that list would be Angelica st, the early Idle Cure's, Ransom's 2 albums,

 

Ya, the Ransom stuff would be sweet. That chick Lisa Faxon could wail! (She was cute, too. Haha.)

 

By the way, folks, "Pastor Bob" Beeman of Sanctuary Church fame will be writing all new liner notes for each of the Intense Millennium reissues. You might remember Pastor Bob's little blurbs in the liners of the original albums.

 

Also, after receiving much hatred from various sources for the new/updated artwork planned for these reissues (I've seen some of the new covers and they're mostly awful), Intense Millennium sez the reissue booklets will feature the new art on the front and the "classic" cover on the back so buyers can flip 'em around and display whichever cover they prefer. For those of you who care about that sorta thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Examples of old vs. new album cover:

 

OLD:

217_12_09_2006_11_45_22_rebellion-intense.jpg

 

NEW:

01AweCYn3Ol4sAWg8BAAByfmxw7Po:.jpg

 

Ick. I mean, it's not like the original was a masterpiece of album design craft or anything, but that new one looks like something you'd see on a H.I.M. disc. It doesn't fit the band's vibe at all.

 

OLD:

venge1.jpg

NEW:

141880.jpg

 

Similar image, but cheesier execution. The new one looks like somebody whipped it up in about 5 minutes using Photoshop...

 

OLD:

Front.jpg

NEW:

venoncedeadnew-small.jpg

 

Again...ick. The original was cheese to be sure, but it just screamed "80s THRASH!" The new one... meh. (Besides, it looks like it was ripped off from Dark Angel's DARKNESS DESCENDS cover)...

200px-Darknessdescends.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I need some advice.

 

I'm still looking for Rebellion, Masters and Obsessions. These albums are hard to find over here in Europe.

On eBay they are so 'cheap', even the 'Buy It Now' ones. And all of them seem to be like new.

 

Should I wait for the re-issues or go for ebay with the risk to end up with a bootleg?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need some advice.

 

I'm still looking for Rebellion, Masters and Obsessions. These albums are hard to find over here in Europe.

On eBay they are so 'cheap', even the 'Buy It Now' ones. And all of them seem to be like new.

 

Should I wait for the re-issues or go for ebay with the risk to end up with a bootleg?

If they are "cheap" they are more than likely bootlegs, there is quite a few of them roaming around. One bootleg label is Advantage records.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Intense Millennium has announced the next batch of reissues due in January - Ransom's S/T, Vengeance Rising's DESTRUCTION COMES, Deliverance's WHAT A JOKE, and Undercover's BRANDED.

 

Ransom might be a sweet pickup. I already have an original of the Deliverance disc and V.R. and Undercover do nothin' for me.

 

At this point, I'm like "Wake me when you get around to Sacred Warrior's OBSESSIONS and/or Deliverance's STAY OF EXECUTION."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

This is kinda interesting... Jimmy P. Brown II of Deliverance is SUPER pissed about the new artwork that adorns the forthcoming Intense Millennium reissue of Deliverance's WHAT A JOKE disc (1991)... and I can't say I blame him...

 

Old:

3628.jpg

New:

deliverance-what-a-joke-300x297.jpg

 

Ugh! What the hell is that? Are they trying to appeal to the "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" demographic? :puke:

 

Here's Jimmy's rant about the new cover from the CMR (Christian Metal Realm), it's quite entertaining... you can practically see the foam pouring from his mouth. The boy is PISSED! :rofl:

 

Greetings...

 

Sorry I have been away for so long... You all should know, it’s just my thing... I hide sometimes when feeling overwhelmed...

 

OK...

 

Mike Phillips called me to tell me about the cover art for the What a Joke Reissue...

 

I thought he was kidding... He wasn't...

 

All right... For those of you who know me, you know I am being as controlled as possible right now by not typing the most horrendous, disturbing, disgusting, perverse, horrifying and degrading insults... Not to mention my fondness for profanity!!!

 

I will say this as politely as possible to the jerk-offs who thought this would be funny, amusing, cute, whimsical, whatever was going through their infinitesimal minds that are barely visible using a photon firing tunneling microscope!!!

 

You have always stated how important "D" is to you... To the music scene as a whole... Why would you release such an insulting and pitiful looking album cover to honor a band that meant "so much to your label and the music scene?"

 

It's a disgrace... A slap in the face... Appalling and outrageous!!!

 

If ever you wanted to flip me the bird and say "kiss my ass Jimmy Brown", that album cover said it all...

 

Do not ever tell me, write me, call me and tell me how much "D" and me mean to you!!!

 

I want to say sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more right now, but I am controlling myself!

 

CMR Moderators: If I have overstepped my bounds, I apologize from the bottom of my heart... All those here who know me know that we can agree, disagree but we always respect one another...

 

This garbage, this revolting display, this atrocity.... Well, I have said enough...

 

Much love, and I will be back soon enough to visit my CMR family...

 

But I think I have made it abundantly clear what I think of Intense/Millennium’s fine tribute to the Big "D"....

 

JB-

 

I'm with Jimmy on this one!!

Either way, I'm glad I still have my original 1991 issue of WHAT A JOKE so I can safely ignore that new monstrosity.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you think Jimmy was mad :)

 

20070819_200307_bugs-bunny.jpg

 

"Ehhhhh....could be."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is some what on topic but I prefer original artwork with all reissues. Or, at the very least, make sure the original is included somewhere in the booklet. I think the above "joke" artwork only supports that feeling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Posts

    • I just found out about Shotgun Mistress great group.
    • Vain: ‘Disintegrate Together’ (May 1, 2024) https://sleazeroxx.com/vain-to-release-new-studio-album-disintegrate-together-on-may-1st/     I didn't want to put someone else's website up here but I wanted you to see this because if you want the CD it says theres only gonna be 200? Ya why bother for 200 but thats what it say's so I thought you would want to know. Your in the USA with me so you got a good shot a getting one. I think it may be just 200 LP's vinyl ..... 
    • I just ordered, Shotgun Mistress – [2021] Shotgun Mistress & Pre-ordered Shotgun Mistress - [2024] Kings Of The Revolution. I just found out about these guys great stuff can't believe I had never heard of ....
    • Man, I really miss places like this! I could spend hours in them just looking at all the stuff. You’re a lucky man to live near there.
    • New album out June 28. Not my style per se, but well executed IMO.  
    • "Still in Love" and "Sweet Melody" by Lancia    
    • I posted about this record store (well, CD store really... it has a fair amount of vinyl, but the focus is CDs) 2 years ago. I go there about once a year, and every single time I do I keep kicking myself to go there more often. Not only for the sheer enjoyment of being able to shop the music genres we love and view all these releases in hand, but because it's so damned overwhelming. There's never time to go through things at leisure, pulling out boxes under racks to rummage, because even flying through things and NOT exploring new artists, it's still 3-4 hours to go through the alphabet... let alone stopping and using their listening station (they'll let you listen to used/opened material, not still sealed merch). It's only an hour and a half drive for me each way, so there's really ZERO excuse for me not going over there more frequently. This time I remembered to take a bunch of pictures, pulling out releases from artists we enjoy just to show what they had in stock... a lot of material you'll never see at any mainstream store (even if there is any that carry CDs anymore). Sure, the prices are more expensive than what you'll pay at Amazon and other online stores, but they're not as bad as you would think, and there are bargains to be had amongst the used material when it comes to OOP discs. And to be fair, being able to view all this stuff in-hand is worth it IMO. (Although every now and then you'll see an OOP disc that is WAAAAAAAY overpriced, but at least they have the odd and unusual.) They have one of those old-school "buyer club" stamp cards, with 20 spaces. One stamp per disc purchased. Every other stamp you get a dollar off, and when you fill a card you get $16.99 off your purchase and then you get a new card. On your birthday, you get $1 off every CD and that's on top of the buyer club card discounts. First the pics from when I was going through the aisles, starting with some general pics. Every single artist has its own title card, so look at the variety and depth of the artists. Also, look at the overstock in boxes underneath all the racks! That's the shit I never have time to go through (except when there's a specific artist I'm focusing in on). You've got CDs in the racks, then ringing the entire room is a shelf of box sets and limited editions, then above that VHS tapes, and above that vintage audio equipment. Sections for DVDs and blu-rays (not just music, but movies as well, including a small section of 4K and 3D titles). There's a smaller upper room level that is nothing but vinyl. If you're going to go, plan at least a full day, not just a quick drive-by. They're open from 11AM - 7PM Eastern Time.     Expensive at $249.99, but how many places have a still-sealed copy of the Vanden Plas Epic Works box set???     And now the stuff I picked up this trip. Most is completist fodder. There are a few artists where I literally want an example of every single pressing, even if I already have other label/year/country versions... call me OCD.               I picked up this one for trade/resale even though I already have it, as it is the LOOOONG out of print original fan club edition.     Hmmm... didn't know there was a solo effort, and it seems to be thematically related to the Threshold album "Legend of the Shires".       More OCD completist fodder. I didn't know that Avalon Records (Japan) licensed releases for South Korea.         Live albums aren't normally my thing, but this appears to be way out of print, and for $10 why not?   A few OOP releases for my multichannel audio collection       I'll be posting more about these once I get my shit together, but I'm WAAAAAAAAAY fucking late to the game when it comes to the Jethro Tull 40th anniversary CD + DVD special editions. They only reason I knew about them at all is that I saw a blurb about the 40th anniversary edition of "Broadsword and the Beast", which is my alltime favorite JT album, the first one I ever heard, and I love the album cover... which led me down the rabbithole of all these anniversary editions and their multichannel mixes. Unfortunately a few of them are now OOP and insanely in the $150-300 range. I ordered all of the ones that were still in print (or that had been reprinted), but there were still 4 that I needed... and they had one of them.   And lastly, the most expensive purchase of the day, going back to previous box set discussions, this was one that wasn't on my radar at the time it came out. Based upon eBay listings, it's now a tough find... and they had one still sealed. No, it's not the Amazon exclusive that was signed by Biff Byford, but autographs aren't important enough for me to spend the $500-$1,000 that the signed version now brings. This one will do nicely at a fraction of the cost... a huge and hefty tome (literally).   So when all was said and done, a great (and expensive!) shopping day, but a place I wholeheartedly recommend visiting should you find yourself out here in flyover country. JL Records 380 Brown St West Lafayette, IN 47906 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041894265953
    • What's this one mate? A guess at the previous riddle or a new one?
    • At the risk of sounding foolish once again... I don't get it.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.