Haling from Jacksonville, Florida, Apostle is a Heavy Metal band that was formed back in 1983 by guitarist-Matt Harding. With a Metal sound that draws comparison to bands like Queensrÿche, Sacred Warrior, Recon, Thee Final Chaptre, and Paradox, Apostle was poised to take the world by storm. Even though this Florida based band never inked a deal with a major label, they played a part in helping pave the way for other bands in the Christian Metal scene.
Matt Harding: "When we started out, people would ask us, "Where does a Christian Heavy Metal band play anyway?" "Anywhere and everywhere," says Matt. "We've played at bars, hotel ballrooms, restaurant clubs, juvenile shelters, armories, outdoor parks, churches, coffee houses, and skating rinks. We'll play anywhere they'll let us." In addition, Apostle played before some large crowds as they toured with the world renown super-group Whitecross.
Matt Harding: "When we started out, people would ask us, "Where does a Christian Heavy Metal band play anyway?" "Anywhere and everywhere," says Matt. "We've played at bars, hotel ballrooms, restaurant clubs, juvenile shelters, armories, outdoor parks, churches, coffee houses, and skating rinks. We'll play anywhere they'll let us." In addition, Apostle played before some large crowds as they toured with the world renown super-group Whitecross.
"We're on a mission from God to tell the world
about the love and salvation power of Jesus Christ" - Apostle -
about the love and salvation power of Jesus Christ" - Apostle -
In 1984 Apostle released their 4-track cassette (Demo) titled 'Apostle' on an indie record label. The track-list for 'Apostle' includes Side A 1.Overcomer 2.The Teacher Side B 3.The Light 4.He's the Power. The line-up for this Demo recording was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, David Lawson-bass & vocals, and Bill Box on drums.
In 1985 Apostle released their 8-track cassette EP titled 'White Metal' on an indie label. The track-list includes Side A 1.Apostle (instrumental) 2.Bread of Life 3.Come to the Truth 4.The Witness Side B 5.Armageddon 6.King of Kings 7.Born Again 8.Parting the Red Sea (instrumental). The line-up was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Mark Borrero-bass, and Bill Box on drums.
In 1986 Apostle released their cassette 8-track compilation album titled 'King of the Saints' on an indie label.
The track-list includes Side A 1.King of the Saints 2.Loving Arms 3.Conquerors 4.You & Me Side B 5.The Light
6.He's the Power 7.Overcomer 8.The Teacher. These songs were the result of two different studio sessions. The first session included all four songs from the band's self-titled 'Apostle' (Demo) release. The second session included 4 tracks produced of completely new material. These two sessions were then combined to publish this full-length recording. The roster was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Mark Borrero-bass, and Bill Box on drums.
The track-list includes Side A 1.King of the Saints 2.Loving Arms 3.Conquerors 4.You & Me Side B 5.The Light
6.He's the Power 7.Overcomer 8.The Teacher. These songs were the result of two different studio sessions. The first session included all four songs from the band's self-titled 'Apostle' (Demo) release. The second session included 4 tracks produced of completely new material. These two sessions were then combined to publish this full-length recording. The roster was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Mark Borrero-bass, and Bill Box on drums.
In 1987 Apostle recorded their independent 10-track (Demo) titled 'Tone Zone'. The track-list for 'Tone Zone' includes 1.King Of The Saints 2.Overcomer 3.Conquerors 4.Born Again 5.Parting The Red Sea 6.Unlimited Power 7.Armageddon 8.King Of Kings 9.Bread Of Life 10. Holy Soldier. This material was never released to the public. Apostle recorded this demo in Chicago at 'Tone Zone' Studios. Glenn Kaiser(Rez Band) was the in-studio producer for the band. This was not new material, but re-recordings of older songs that the band wanted to breathe new life into.
In 1987 Apostle released their full-length cassette album titled 'Chariots of Iron' on an indie label. The track-list for 'Chariots of Iron' includes Side A 1.Chariots of Iron (instrumental) 2.Rock 3.Lover 4.Power in the Blood
Side B 5.Lake of Fire 6.Sword & Shield 7.Vivaldi0 (instrumental) 8.Lamb of God 9.Leaders. The line-up for this 1987 release was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Mark Borrero-bass, and David McKee on drums.
Side B 5.Lake of Fire 6.Sword & Shield 7.Vivaldi0 (instrumental) 8.Lamb of God 9.Leaders. The line-up for this 1987 release was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Mark Borrero-bass, and David McKee on drums.
In 1988 Apostle released a full-length (Demo) cassette album simply titled 'Hymns' on an indie label. The track-list for 'Hymns' includes Side A 1.Hymns 2.Vanguard 3.Dragon Slayer 4.I Am Persuaded 5.The Sword
Side B 6.Unlimited Power 7.Split the Sky 8.Waiting 9.Holy Soldier. The line-up was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & lead vocals, Ray Schmidt-bass, Tim Lawhorn-keyboards, and David Mckee on drums.
Side B 6.Unlimited Power 7.Split the Sky 8.Waiting 9.Holy Soldier. The line-up was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & lead vocals, Ray Schmidt-bass, Tim Lawhorn-keyboards, and David Mckee on drums.
In 1989 Apostle released their full-length cassette self-titled studio album on an indie label. This same recording was also released in a different alternative version with the album titled 'Metal For The Master'. The track-list for both 'Apostle' and 'Metal For The Master' includes Side A 1.King of the Saints 2.Overcomer 3.Conquerors 4.Born Again 5.Parting the Red Sea (instrumental) Side B 6.Unlimited Power 7.Armageddon (instrumental) 8.King of Kings 9.Bread of Life 10.Holy Soldier. The line-up for these two albums was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, David Lawson-bass & vocals, and Bill Box on drums.
While listening to some of the band's different albums, this is the release that really caught my attention with its 80's style hooks accompanied by solid arrangements from beginning to end.
While listening to some of the band's different albums, this is the release that really caught my attention with its 80's style hooks accompanied by solid arrangements from beginning to end.
Guitars are handled by shredder-Matt Harding who unleashes his fury throughout this recording moving in and out from 80's style techniques to Power Metal to tapping. There are a couple of instrumental tracks including track-5 "Parting The Red Sea" & track-7 "Armageddon" where Matt's guitar work is featured and given opportunity to shine.
Lyrics are bold and often taken directly from the bible as one can see in the following excerpts:
"King Of The Saints"
Great are Your works
Lord God almighty
Just and true are Your ways
Who shall not fear You
And loved by Your name
You along are holy
All nations will come
And bow before You
You alone are righteous
You alone are Holy
The King of the saints
You are true and righteous
"Overcomer"
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of their testimony
They didn’t love their lives to the death
Therefore rejoice, o heaven!
He who overcomes, I shall grant all things
I shall be His God, he shall be My son
"Born Again"
Saved by grace and not by works
lest any man be proud
It is the gift the gift from God
that makes me cry aloud
Born Again!
You must be born, born again
Born Again!
You must be born, born again
Created in Christ for good works
That we should walk in them
made alive who once were dead
free from guilt and sin
"Unlimited Power"
God chose the foolish things of the world
To save the wise
God chose the week things of the world
To save the mighty
unlimited mercy
unlimited power
unlimited forgiveness
unlimited power
The message of the cross
Is foolishness to men who are dying
But to us who are saved
it's the power of God
"King of Kings"
He's the King of kings
He rules all things
Power in His hand
Since the world began
Jesus, Lord God!
Jesus, Lord God!
He lives eternally
Power to set you free
He's the mighty King
Hear the angels sing
Great are Your works
Lord God almighty
Just and true are Your ways
Who shall not fear You
And loved by Your name
You along are holy
All nations will come
And bow before You
You alone are righteous
You alone are Holy
The King of the saints
You are true and righteous
"Overcomer"
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
And the word of their testimony
They didn’t love their lives to the death
Therefore rejoice, o heaven!
He who overcomes, I shall grant all things
I shall be His God, he shall be My son
"Born Again"
Saved by grace and not by works
lest any man be proud
It is the gift the gift from God
that makes me cry aloud
Born Again!
You must be born, born again
Born Again!
You must be born, born again
Created in Christ for good works
That we should walk in them
made alive who once were dead
free from guilt and sin
"Unlimited Power"
God chose the foolish things of the world
To save the wise
God chose the week things of the world
To save the mighty
unlimited mercy
unlimited power
unlimited forgiveness
unlimited power
The message of the cross
Is foolishness to men who are dying
But to us who are saved
it's the power of God
"King of Kings"
He's the King of kings
He rules all things
Power in His hand
Since the world began
Jesus, Lord God!
Jesus, Lord God!
He lives eternally
Power to set you free
He's the mighty King
Hear the angels sing
In 1990 The band's guitarist-Matt Harding released a cassette solo album called Matt Harding's 'Steel Armada' on Lifeforce Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Warehouse Recording Studio in Jacksonville, Florida. The track-list for 'Steel Armada' includes 1.Armor of Light 2.Kingdom Come 3.Alive and Well 4.Stand and Watch 5.Steel Armada Side B 6.Sparks 7.Dreams 8.The Light 9.Out of the Fire (instrumental) 10.Tears. The line-up was comprised of musicians Matt Harding-guitars & vocals, Ray Schmidt-bass, and Bill Box on drums.
There has been some discrepancy over the official release date of 'Steel Armada'. Some say the official release date was in 1989 and others say 1992. I was able to touch base with Bill who had the following to say: "Hey Jacob, I remember working on the songs last part of 1989, recording had to be done there about or soon
after in 90. I never received a copy of the finished disc with a date printed on it. These tracks are from the original disc I received from Matt after recording. I was on the road in 91 and moved away from Jacksonville
by 1992." - Bill Box -
There has been some discrepancy over the official release date of 'Steel Armada'. Some say the official release date was in 1989 and others say 1992. I was able to touch base with Bill who had the following to say: "Hey Jacob, I remember working on the songs last part of 1989, recording had to be done there about or soon
after in 90. I never received a copy of the finished disc with a date printed on it. These tracks are from the original disc I received from Matt after recording. I was on the road in 91 and moved away from Jacksonville
by 1992." - Bill Box -
In 1994 Apostle released their full-length Cassette/CD album titled 'Prepare to Meet God' on Lifeforce Records. The track-list for 'Prepare to Meet God' includes 1.Six Hundred Sixty Six 2.Beautitude 3.Resurrection Dance 4.Inferno 5.Betrayed 6.Alpha and Omega 7.In the New Love 8.Pray 9.Burn It Up.
With their 'Prepare to Meet God' album, we find vocalist-Matt Harding stepping down as frontman and focusing just on guitars. For this recording, the band contacted & brought on a new lead vocalist-David Brown.
The line-up was comprised of musicians David Brown-lead vocals, Matt Harding-guitars, Larry Motes-bass, David McKee-drums, along with guest musicians Mark Borrero-bass, and Jerry Mehm on drums.
With their 'Prepare to Meet God' album, we find vocalist-Matt Harding stepping down as frontman and focusing just on guitars. For this recording, the band contacted & brought on a new lead vocalist-David Brown.
The line-up was comprised of musicians David Brown-lead vocals, Matt Harding-guitars, Larry Motes-bass, David McKee-drums, along with guest musicians Mark Borrero-bass, and Jerry Mehm on drums.
In 1994 Apostle released a full-length compilation cassette album titled 'Chariots of Iron/Hymns' on
Lifeforce Records. This compilation release includes all 9-track from the band's 1987 'Chariots of Iron' album along with all 9-tracks from their 1988 'Hymns' album. The track-list for 'Chariots of Iron/Hymns' includes 1.Chariots of Iron (instrumental) 2.Rock 3.Lover 4.Power in the Blood 5.Lake of Fire 6.Sword & Shield 7.Vivaldi (excerpt from Concerto in D minor) (instrumental) 8.Lamb of God 9.Leaders Side B 10.Hymns 11.Vanguard 12.Dragon Slayer0 13.I Am Persuaded 14.The Sword 15.Unlimited Power 16.Split the Sky 17.Waiting 18.Holy Soldier.
Lifeforce Records. This compilation release includes all 9-track from the band's 1987 'Chariots of Iron' album along with all 9-tracks from their 1988 'Hymns' album. The track-list for 'Chariots of Iron/Hymns' includes 1.Chariots of Iron (instrumental) 2.Rock 3.Lover 4.Power in the Blood 5.Lake of Fire 6.Sword & Shield 7.Vivaldi (excerpt from Concerto in D minor) (instrumental) 8.Lamb of God 9.Leaders Side B 10.Hymns 11.Vanguard 12.Dragon Slayer0 13.I Am Persuaded 14.The Sword 15.Unlimited Power 16.Split the Sky 17.Waiting 18.Holy Soldier.
Shortly after the release of their two different albums in 1994, the group disbanded with all members going there separate ways.
I think there is a lot of opportunity here for some record companies to take some of these Classic Metal releases by Apostle and re-master & re-issue them so that generations to come can enjoy them as well. If you are in the market for some solid classic 80's style Heavy Metal to add to your collection then check out what Apostle has delivered up with their 1989 self-titled album 'Apostle'.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
(There are some sites offering free downloads of Apostle's albums)