Siloam
Siloam has its origins with Drummer Brian Lutes who had a background of drugs and then became a christian just after nearly dying of a drug overdose. After his conversion, Lutes went back to the streets in order to share the gospel of Christ with the kids that hung out there.
Siloam hails from Ottawa, Canada and are responsible for some of the finest 80's classic style AOR Melodic Metal that can be had in the christian Metal market. Siloam draws their band's name from John 9:7 which states: "And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
It's notable that Siloam has three releases to their credit 1991-'Sweet Destiny' , 1995-'Dying To Live' , & 1997 'Crock'.
Siloam hails from Ottawa, Canada and are responsible for some of the finest 80's classic style AOR Melodic Metal that can be had in the christian Metal market. Siloam draws their band's name from John 9:7 which states: "And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."
It's notable that Siloam has three releases to their credit 1991-'Sweet Destiny' , 1995-'Dying To Live' , & 1997 'Crock'.
There are those who have said that christian Metal bands can't stand up to secular bands of the same genre. However, with this 1991 debut release 'Sweet Destiny', Siloam easily proved the naysayers wrong.
It seems that Siloam wasn't one of the more well known bands in their day, maybe due to their album being released at the same time as the music shift from Metal to Grunge. However, classic Metal fans have plenty here to get excited about. Another noticeably distinguished sound that Siloam has captured is the subtle Metalized version of a western cowboy sound that is also very prevalent in some of the tracks of the well known band Bon Jovi whether it be through instrumentation or Vocal work.
It seems that Siloam wasn't one of the more well known bands in their day, maybe due to their album being released at the same time as the music shift from Metal to Grunge. However, classic Metal fans have plenty here to get excited about. Another noticeably distinguished sound that Siloam has captured is the subtle Metalized version of a western cowboy sound that is also very prevalent in some of the tracks of the well known band Bon Jovi whether it be through instrumentation or Vocal work.
Front-man Lee Guthrie on this 1991 release has captured the magic of the 80's with his Metalesque Vocal delivery which comes across as being powerful and explosively energetic. We find Lee in his natural element
when reaching for a high, I mean very high note, Guthrie does it with such ease. Another thing that is ever prevalent throughout this disc are the hooks where Lee Guthrie draws you in to a much more enjoyable listening experience which is an area that other Vocalists struggle with. Here in 2015, when we think of Metal we think of an over all heaviness that includes bone crushing guitar work and perhaps death growls and blast beats. However, back in the 80's early 90's, the Metal was more distinguished by the Vocalist and his Vocal style along with supporting melodic guitar work much like we see in bands like Guardian, Crystavox, Stryper, or even Holy Soldier. On this debut release, it's easy the see that Lee Guthrie delivers up a performance that's full of emotion and style that simply doesn't disappoint.
when reaching for a high, I mean very high note, Guthrie does it with such ease. Another thing that is ever prevalent throughout this disc are the hooks where Lee Guthrie draws you in to a much more enjoyable listening experience which is an area that other Vocalists struggle with. Here in 2015, when we think of Metal we think of an over all heaviness that includes bone crushing guitar work and perhaps death growls and blast beats. However, back in the 80's early 90's, the Metal was more distinguished by the Vocalist and his Vocal style along with supporting melodic guitar work much like we see in bands like Guardian, Crystavox, Stryper, or even Holy Soldier. On this debut release, it's easy the see that Lee Guthrie delivers up a performance that's full of emotion and style that simply doesn't disappoint.
Tim Laroche handles the guitars for Siloam where we find some very cool accoustic guitar play that progresses into melodic guitar riffs. Then there's tunes where we find a more driving edge to them. Even though Tim handles the guitars all by himself, the overall sound is very full and sounds as though they used some overdub layering techniques to help the sound alone.
Founding member Brian Lutes keeps the band in time with his big Arena Rock style drum pounding, One drummer that comes to mind when making comparisons to Lutes is Robert Sweet(Stryper).
Chad Everett throws down on the Bass and it's always cool when we can actually hear the bass as we do on this album where we find plenty of moments that it stands out.
Ken Maris handles the keys without being heavy handed and is also responsible for some of our western sounding atmospheres.
We find that the band is very evangelical and wants to reach the lost and build up the saved as we can see in some of the following lyrics:
Chad Everett throws down on the Bass and it's always cool when we can actually hear the bass as we do on this album where we find plenty of moments that it stands out.
Ken Maris handles the keys without being heavy handed and is also responsible for some of our western sounding atmospheres.
We find that the band is very evangelical and wants to reach the lost and build up the saved as we can see in some of the following lyrics:
(Here's a lyric that speaks of the horrors coming from some of the Muslim nations which is ever so relevant today)
"Eastern Skies"
As the thunder rolls across the sky it seems dawn will never come,
Sounds of guns a-blazing echoes like a drum,
Hate fills the air, I hear it in their cries,
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies.
Oh no, cries of sorrow echo across the land.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
As the morning light begins to steal across the bloodstained sky, the Son of Man looks down, tears fall from his eyes,
When will they ever see the truth behind the lies?
When will they stop the killing under Eastern skies?
Oh no, cries of sorrow echo across the land.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
Oh Lord, take the pain away,
Oh Lord, turn the night to day,
Oh Lord, kill the beast, I pray.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
Eastern skies,
Die,
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under...
"Sweet Destiny"
I was a poor boy, a child of misfortune,
I was a poor boy with nowhere left to roam,
I was running wild until you came to me,
Oh, sweet destiny.
I was a wanderer with no direction,
I was a wanderer with no place to call home,
I was running blind until you made me see,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Oh, Lord Jesus, you've rescued me,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
I am a free man; no chains and no shackles,
I am a free man with dreams to call my own,
I was fading fast when you set me free,
Oh, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny, (oh, it's so sweet, yeah)
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny, (oh, it's so sweet)
Ooh, Lord Jesus, you've rescued me,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny. (ooh, it's so sweet)
I am a rich man, my wandering is over,
I am a rich man with no more need to roam,
I've been given more than I ever dreamed,
I was running blind until you made me see,
I was running wild 'til you came to me,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny...
Oh, my sweet...my sweet, sweet destiny, I'll never know, just what you mean to me,
Oh, my sweet...my sweet, sweet destiny,
Oh, destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny...
(fade)
"Eastern Skies"
As the thunder rolls across the sky it seems dawn will never come,
Sounds of guns a-blazing echoes like a drum,
Hate fills the air, I hear it in their cries,
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies.
Oh no, cries of sorrow echo across the land.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
As the morning light begins to steal across the bloodstained sky, the Son of Man looks down, tears fall from his eyes,
When will they ever see the truth behind the lies?
When will they stop the killing under Eastern skies?
Oh no, cries of sorrow echo across the land.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
Oh Lord, take the pain away,
Oh Lord, turn the night to day,
Oh Lord, kill the beast, I pray.
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
There's a battle raging under Eastern skies,
Mothers lose their babies,
Children learn to die, (die)
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under Eastern skies.
Eastern skies,
Die,
When will it ever end?
Under Eastern skies,
Where's the hope of living?
Under...
"Sweet Destiny"
I was a poor boy, a child of misfortune,
I was a poor boy with nowhere left to roam,
I was running wild until you came to me,
Oh, sweet destiny.
I was a wanderer with no direction,
I was a wanderer with no place to call home,
I was running blind until you made me see,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Oh, Lord Jesus, you've rescued me,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
I am a free man; no chains and no shackles,
I am a free man with dreams to call my own,
I was fading fast when you set me free,
Oh, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny, (oh, it's so sweet, yeah)
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny, (oh, it's so sweet)
Ooh, Lord Jesus, you've rescued me,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny. (ooh, it's so sweet)
I am a rich man, my wandering is over,
I am a rich man with no more need to roam,
I've been given more than I ever dreamed,
I was running blind until you made me see,
I was running wild 'til you came to me,
Whoa, sweet destiny.
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny...
Oh, my sweet...my sweet, sweet destiny, I'll never know, just what you mean to me,
Oh, my sweet...my sweet, sweet destiny,
Oh, destiny,
Sweet destiny, sweet destiny...
(fade)
If you like bands that have that distinct 80's sound that are on the same lines as Stryper, Crystavox, Guardian, and Holy Soldier, then finding a copy of Siloams 1991 debut release is a must.
Musicians:
Lee Guthrie–Lead Vocals
Tim Laroche–Guitars
Ken Maris–Keyboards
Chad Everett–Bass
Brian Lutes-Drums
Lee Guthrie–Lead Vocals
Tim Laroche–Guitars
Ken Maris–Keyboards
Chad Everett–Bass
Brian Lutes-Drums
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