Barren Cross is a Heavy Metal band that is based out of Los Angeles, CA. This band was very heavy for their time especially when they released Atomic Arena in 1988. This album was one of the most influential and best metal albums to be released in the secular market while being labeled a “Christian” Heavy Metal band. “Atomic Arena” was so influential that many years later, in a RECENT poll, it was listed in the “Top 100 Christian Metal Albums Of All Time” at #11 on the chart. The vocalist Mike Lee adds to the band with his very heavy in your face type delivery that really works well to complete BC's over all style. Mike's voice is so different that comparisons are next to impossible to even make.
1989 was a sweet year for Barren Cross, with the release of “State Of Control”. The band won many accolades and awards that year; Barren Cross was named by HM: "Readers Poll Band of the Year for 1989"; and 'State Of Control' was "1989 Readers Poll Album of the Year".
The next album to be released by Barren Cross was a live album called “Hotter Than Hell” in 1990. The band moved on with a new vocalist named Vin Van Volt from the band "Full Armor". with the new vocalist BC went on to record 'State of Control' but sadly it wasn't received well so Barren Cross took a hiatus until the year 1994, at this time the original four members reunited and began recording their next studio album; “Rattle Your Cage”. This became one of the bands best albums to date. In 1994, Michael Lee formed a band called “Barebones” and recorded “The Barebones Album” while also helping to record the “Rattle Your Cage” album for BC.
In 2014 Barren Cross released "Birth Pangs" which is a live album of their greatest hits. The album is a newly recorded album including three new songs. It's incredible that after all these years Mike Lee can still bolt it out like back in the day.
It's without question that Barren Cross is a Christian band that wants to reach out to people because their lyrics are Christ centered. here are some lyrics from two of their songs "Close to the Edge" and "King of Kings" off the album Atomic Arena.
1989 was a sweet year for Barren Cross, with the release of “State Of Control”. The band won many accolades and awards that year; Barren Cross was named by HM: "Readers Poll Band of the Year for 1989"; and 'State Of Control' was "1989 Readers Poll Album of the Year".
The next album to be released by Barren Cross was a live album called “Hotter Than Hell” in 1990. The band moved on with a new vocalist named Vin Van Volt from the band "Full Armor". with the new vocalist BC went on to record 'State of Control' but sadly it wasn't received well so Barren Cross took a hiatus until the year 1994, at this time the original four members reunited and began recording their next studio album; “Rattle Your Cage”. This became one of the bands best albums to date. In 1994, Michael Lee formed a band called “Barebones” and recorded “The Barebones Album” while also helping to record the “Rattle Your Cage” album for BC.
In 2014 Barren Cross released "Birth Pangs" which is a live album of their greatest hits. The album is a newly recorded album including three new songs. It's incredible that after all these years Mike Lee can still bolt it out like back in the day.
It's without question that Barren Cross is a Christian band that wants to reach out to people because their lyrics are Christ centered. here are some lyrics from two of their songs "Close to the Edge" and "King of Kings" off the album Atomic Arena.
"Close to the Edge"
I know you cry, you don't want to die,
So take what I've found, and you'll be miles and miles from the edge
You're close to the edge
On the edge of the world there's only one rhyme
But you ain't got the time to know what it means,
You're dead, you're dead
Don't figure it out 'cause you're dead, you're dead.
On the edge of the world, on the edge of the world
No one else can save you only Jesus
Close to the edge
"King of Kings"
There's a mountain up in the Havens
That can never ever be moved
He's the Father of all creation
And He knows you even better than you do
He's the rock, the great I am
The reason why we sing
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
You and I are just one of creation
We were formed in the beginning of time
God took some sand and made it flesh
With one breath, created the first man
He's the rock, the great I am
The reason why we sing
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
This magnificent earth, all the mountains and the trees
All the creatures that fill the seas
His earth, this beautiful earth
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
King of kings
I know you cry, you don't want to die,
So take what I've found, and you'll be miles and miles from the edge
You're close to the edge
On the edge of the world there's only one rhyme
But you ain't got the time to know what it means,
You're dead, you're dead
Don't figure it out 'cause you're dead, you're dead.
On the edge of the world, on the edge of the world
No one else can save you only Jesus
Close to the edge
"King of Kings"
There's a mountain up in the Havens
That can never ever be moved
He's the Father of all creation
And He knows you even better than you do
He's the rock, the great I am
The reason why we sing
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
You and I are just one of creation
We were formed in the beginning of time
God took some sand and made it flesh
With one breath, created the first man
He's the rock, the great I am
The reason why we sing
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
This magnificent earth, all the mountains and the trees
All the creatures that fill the seas
His earth, this beautiful earth
He's the King of kings
The Master of all things
The power and the source
The everlasting force
King of kings
BC comes highly recommended to all fans of christian metal music and those who are trying to collect those albums of bands that were pioneers of christian Metal music.
Musicians:
Mike Lee–Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Ray Parris–Guitars
Jim LaVerde–Bass & Keyboards
Steve Whitaker–Drums
Musicians:
Mike Lee–Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Ray Parris–Guitars
Jim LaVerde–Bass & Keyboards
Steve Whitaker–Drums