Messiah
Messiah was formed by frontman Charles Michael, also known as Chuck Gugel, in Texas back in 1979. However, it wouldn't be until the 80's that the band would darken the door of any studio. Messiah only produced two offerings with the release of 1986-'Going Insane'(5-track EP) and 1984-'Final Warning'. When Messiah released their debut in '84, the band was hitting the market at the same time as Stryper who was also releasing their debut EP. Unfortunately, Messiah didn't receive the wide distribution to garner the attention needed to be able to continue. However, their albums became highly sought after by Metal enthusiasts often bringing high price tags. Messiah's albums are so rare that they are considered 'holy grails' in the christian Metal realm. Today Messiah's legacy continues with the group being considered one of the better bands that helped pioneer and pave the way for many other christian Metal outfits. A good way to describe Messiah's sound is Classic 80's Metal with touches of the late 70's along with arrangements mixed in that reminds one of the well known band Dream Theater.
In 2010 Retroactive Records reissued Messiah's 1986 release 'Final Warning' which comes complete with the original artwork with the only alteration being the placement of 'Final Warning' above the band's name. This Metal classic was remastered by none other than J Powell of Steinhaus Mastering and comes complete with liner notes from frontman Charles Michael. No the production isn't perfect yet better than one would expect from such a dated project. This release has such a flow to it that I can easily find myself listening to it over and over again.
With 'Final Warning', Messiah has released a solid album with no fillers. However, Some tracks that stand out are "Who's To Blame" , "Where Are You" , "The Choice" , "Heavenly Metal" , Then there's some tracks that stand out due to their darker nature such as "Mistaken Identity" , and "Lucifer".
Messiah is one of the earliest christian bands to put a Metal theme song on their album found in track 5-"Heavenly Metal". This idea would be continued by such power house bands like Rob Rock with "Metal Breed", also there was Ultimatum's unforgettable track "Heart of Metal". More recently, the band Ancient Prophecy has continued this tradition with their tune "Metal Is Still Alive".
Messiah is one of the earliest christian bands to put a Metal theme song on their album found in track 5-"Heavenly Metal". This idea would be continued by such power house bands like Rob Rock with "Metal Breed", also there was Ultimatum's unforgettable track "Heart of Metal". More recently, the band Ancient Prophecy has continued this tradition with their tune "Metal Is Still Alive".
For me, one of the most important aspects of an album is the vocal work which can make or break an album. Frontman Charles Michael does a stellar job for Messiah on this 1984/2010 release. Michael has a good feel for vocal timing or placement and his delivery comes across as smooth and by no means forced. One thing that stands out about Michael's vocals is that one can sense an element of excitement in his delivery coupled with all the right hooks. His delivery is only enhanced by the tight backing vocals which are often in harmony with the lead vocals. If you like the vocal work of Les Carlson(Bloodgood) then I can easily see you embracing Charles Michael's work here with Messiah.
Scott Wood handles the guitar duties for Messiah with some sweet licks that keep you coming back for more. Dan Knowles manages the keys adding an ethereal dreamy sound to the band's arrangements. The percussion team is comprised of Peter Smoltz on Bass & Keith Behnke on Drums.
Lyrics are thought provoking and cover such topics as prophecy, end times, judgement day, souls, God vs Satan, and final warnings.
"Lucifer"
Spoken:
And there was a battle in Heaven, and Michael and
His Angels battled against that dragon and His angels.
And that ancient serpent, He who is called the devil,
and Satan, was cast down to deceive the whole world.
Very soon He and His False Prophet will try to cause
The people of the world to bear a mark on their right
hand or on their forehead, so that no one can buy or
sell unless he has the name of the beast or the
number of his name. So let He who has the
understanding calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man, and that man is alive
today.... and his number is:
6 — 6 — 6.
He fell from heaven, he was one of a kind
Had a certain power, to control your mind
He captured hearts, of everyone
Many will be dammed, when his work is done
Ah - ah - Lucifer
He stands so proud, so vain and so tall
Down at his feet many Christians did fall
He captured the hearts of everyone
Many will be dammed when his time has come
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Spoken:
He's the author of death, the father of lies,
If you do his bidding, you'll surely die!
Nations will fall, many nations will rise,
He'll be their king - be like the most high…
Religious deception is His biggest trick,
He sits on a throne under Six Sixty Six!
He'll gather His armies from far and wide,
He'll be their king - be like the most high…
He's the king of this world, now you gave him control
All that is left, is the fate of your soul
He captured hearts, of everyone
Many will be dammed, when his work is done
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Time is short, before the morning light
To all will be revealed, in the dead of night
He deceived the hearts of everyone
Souls were dammed, when their time had come
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - ah - ah - ah - ah
Ah - ah - ah - ah - ah - ah
"Lucifer"
Spoken:
And there was a battle in Heaven, and Michael and
His Angels battled against that dragon and His angels.
And that ancient serpent, He who is called the devil,
and Satan, was cast down to deceive the whole world.
Very soon He and His False Prophet will try to cause
The people of the world to bear a mark on their right
hand or on their forehead, so that no one can buy or
sell unless he has the name of the beast or the
number of his name. So let He who has the
understanding calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man, and that man is alive
today.... and his number is:
6 — 6 — 6.
He fell from heaven, he was one of a kind
Had a certain power, to control your mind
He captured hearts, of everyone
Many will be dammed, when his work is done
Ah - ah - Lucifer
He stands so proud, so vain and so tall
Down at his feet many Christians did fall
He captured the hearts of everyone
Many will be dammed when his time has come
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Spoken:
He's the author of death, the father of lies,
If you do his bidding, you'll surely die!
Nations will fall, many nations will rise,
He'll be their king - be like the most high…
Religious deception is His biggest trick,
He sits on a throne under Six Sixty Six!
He'll gather His armies from far and wide,
He'll be their king - be like the most high…
He's the king of this world, now you gave him control
All that is left, is the fate of your soul
He captured hearts, of everyone
Many will be dammed, when his work is done
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Time is short, before the morning light
To all will be revealed, in the dead of night
He deceived the hearts of everyone
Souls were dammed, when their time had come
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - Lucifer
Ah - ah - ah - ah - ah - ah
Ah - ah - ah - ah - ah - ah
If you find that your taste lean more towards the classic Metal side of the spectrum then you shouldn't hesitate to pick up this release by Messiah. This classic release is inspired by such bands as KISS, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Barnabas, Messiah Prophet and early Judas Priest. Procure your copy and help Messiah's legacy continue on to another generation.
Musicians:
Charles Michael aka (Chuck Gugel)–Lead Vocals
Scott Wood–Guitars
Dan Knowles-Keyboards
Peter Smoltz-Bass
Keith Behnke-Drums
Charles Michael aka (Chuck Gugel)–Lead Vocals
Scott Wood–Guitars
Dan Knowles-Keyboards
Peter Smoltz-Bass
Keith Behnke-Drums