Cawley left and the band brought in Jamie Rowe with a new sound and vocal style.Ġ5. Originally signed to Enigma Records, they wanted a more Christian-focused record label and asked to be released from their contract. The original band lineup also featured drummer Steve Martinez and guitarist Gene Thurston.
Guardian was formed in 1982 under the name Fusion, by singer, Paul Cawley and bassist David Bach. Guardian-Starting out as a more traditional metal band, Guardian soon changed vocalists and went for a more every man’s hard rock sound, in the lines of Tesla with a slightly more glam image and sound. They looked the part and had a decent sound, but ultimately they just faded away like so many bands from the era.Ġ4. Very few artists and musicians in their genre have achieved that stature, and stand proudly among them. 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. Holy Soldier is a band that has secured its position as one of the most important and identifiable bands in Christian rock & roll history. Holy Soldier had two really good albums before changing personnel and going in a more acoustic-based alternative. Holy Soldier-When glam metal hit it big in the ’80s, many Christian metal bands went the same route. The band still reunites occasionally as has recorded several albums after their initial success was over.Ġ3. For my money, these guys were the best of the Christian metal era. They followed it up with another great album called State Of Control”. They had their biggest success with Atomic Arena which also saw the band get airplay on MTV. The band came close to sounding like Iron Maiden at times and originally was a bit heavier than their contemporaries “Stryper”. At the same time Lead Singer Michael Drive (Lee) had an ad in a local paper looking for a guitarist! Steve then drove to Michael’s house, where he called Ray and had Michael sing into the phone! As soon as they met and played together, the chemistry instantly formed and two weeks later after many rehearsals with bass players, Michael met Bassist Jim LaVerde and the rest is history! After recording 6 songs for two demos during 19, “the fires had begun” to burn – to record their first album. Barren Cross- A metal band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by Two high school friends Lead Guitarist Ray Parris and Drummer Steve Whitaker had an ad in a local paper looking for a singer.
Like them or not, they’re the godfathers of Christian Metal.Ġ2. Add to that one of the most successful Christian rock albums ever, 1986’s multi-platinum To Hell With The Devil, and the unique distinction of being the first band in history to notch two songs in MTV’s Top 10 with “Free” and “Honestly.” The band still delivers great albums and has actually developed a heavier sound in the later years. With such hits as “Calling On You,” “Free,” “Honestly,” and “Always There For You,” Stryper’s album sales now exceed over 10 million worldwide. The members of Stryper have proven themselves as metal stalwarts, leaving an indelible mark on the genre with each new release. We seem to go against the grain with everything we do, and our fans tend to be the same – They’re good hardworking people who believe in love, respect, and not conforming to the ways of the world.” The story of Stryper is that of an underdog. “This is what we always really wanted to be. “In the past 34 years, we’ve evolved into what we are now,” says vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet. Since the band’s inception over 30 years ago, the founding members have stayed true to their deepest convictions, turning from “the ways of the world” and following their hearts instead. They are however quality musicians who brought Christian metal to the mainstream in the 1980s.Įstablished in southern California in 1983, multi-platinum crossover Christian metal band, Stryper, continues to share their positive message and energetic stage presence with a passionate following throughout the world. I never really got the goofy outfits that looked like bumblebees. Not because I think they’re the best, but because their contribution to Christian metal is the equivalent of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest in the non-christian metal world. Stryper-Stryper has to be at the top of this list.