Chosen Stranger is a Metal/Hard Rock band that was formed in Springfield, IL back in 1985 shortly after brothers Jeff Ellison and Rusty Ellison had both received Christ. The band's sound and arrangements bring to mind such greats as Bloodgood, Queensrÿche, or even Stryper at times.
Concerning the meaning behind the band's moniker Rusty Ellison states: "The name of the band came from 1st Peter as God's children are Chosen - his children are to live as Stranger's in this world.." The following is the biblical text where the band's name was taken from: 1 Peter 2:9-11 states: "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness. Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you."
Concerning the meaning behind the band's moniker Rusty Ellison states: "The name of the band came from 1st Peter as God's children are Chosen - his children are to live as Stranger's in this world.." The following is the biblical text where the band's name was taken from: 1 Peter 2:9-11 states: "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness. Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you."
Some bands that have influenced the members of Chosen Stranger over the years are Stryper, White Cross, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin ext..CLASSIC HARD ROCK.
In 1988 Chosen Stranger was part of a compilation project called 'Underground Metal' where they contributed their track titled "So Glad". This compilation also included tracks from bands like Watchmen, Chariot, and Paragon just to mention a few. "So Glad" was awarded best song on the CD and the album was distributed nation wide on Regency Records. This quickly got the attention of various radio stations giving the band well deserved exposure. This allowed Chosen Stranger to also receive radio air time for their singles-"Lonely World" and "The Light". Due to such exposure, the band's international fan base began to grow resulting in the band receiving letters from all over the world.
In 1989 Chosen Stranger released their first independent 4-track cassette self-titled demo which includes the tracks 1. He Won't Hurt You, 2. I Wanna Be Like You, 3. Living It Up, 4. Guilty (To The Crime Of Love). The line-up for their 1989 demo release included Vocalist-Russ Atteberry, Guitarist-Rusty Ellison, Bassist-Dan Grover, Drummer-Jeff Ellison and Special Guest: Tammy Cathy on the Keyboards. 'Chosen Stranger' was recorded at Crosstown Studios in Memphis, TN.
To their fans delight, in 2006 Chosen Stranger reissued their 1989 self-titled 4-track demo and re-released it on CD format.
To their fans delight, in 2006 Chosen Stranger reissued their 1989 self-titled 4-track demo and re-released it on CD format.
In 1992 Chosen Stranger released their second independent 4-track cassette demo titled 'Deathwalker' which includes the tracks 1. Forgiveness, 2. Waste Of Time, 3. Follow The Leader, 4. Deathwalker. The line-up for their 1992 demo release included Vocalist-Russ Atteberry, Guitarist-Rusty Ellison, Bassist-Kevin Dunkel, and Drummer-Jeff Ellison. The only line-up change to report is with Dan Grover being replaced by Bassist-Kevin Dunkel.
Over the years the band has released a handful of singles including 1988-"So Glad", 1989-"The Light",
1989-"Lonely World", 2000-"In His Arms", "Believe In Me", "Written In Blood", and were all singles that were sang and recorded by Jeff and Rusty Ellison who are both the sole co-writer song writing team. This dynamic duo team encompasses Rusty handling vocals, writing the music, and managing the guitar section while Jeff writes the band's lyrics and keeps time for the group as drummer. The vocals by Rusty Ellison on their track "Written In Blood" draws to mind the vocal work of frontman-Scott Springer(Halo) and then there's the track "Lonely World" where Rusty's vocals draw comparison to vocalist-Steve Perry(Journey).
1989-"Lonely World", 2000-"In His Arms", "Believe In Me", "Written In Blood", and were all singles that were sang and recorded by Jeff and Rusty Ellison who are both the sole co-writer song writing team. This dynamic duo team encompasses Rusty handling vocals, writing the music, and managing the guitar section while Jeff writes the band's lyrics and keeps time for the group as drummer. The vocals by Rusty Ellison on their track "Written In Blood" draws to mind the vocal work of frontman-Scott Springer(Halo) and then there's the track "Lonely World" where Rusty's vocals draw comparison to vocalist-Steve Perry(Journey).
Lyrics are unabashedly bold with Christ centered content as on can see from the following lyric:
"So Glad"
Well it's been a long time, but it's over
And the promise of His coming has arrived
It's the end of every worry,
It's time to go home.
Well, His people were not fools.
This life was worth fighting for.
Now we're sharing our rewards
With the One that we call the Lord.
And the people the world thought wise,
Are now weeping and gnashing teeth
In a place they thought a fairytale
In the darkness that burns beneath
So glad that I believed, so glad
So glad I've been redeemed
So glad that I believed, so glad
Believed in Christ the King, so glad
Well our new life has just begun
No more death will we ever see
And now Jesus will rule and reign
So that justice will finally be
Though He wished for all to come
Most rejected and cursed His name
But He died for them anyway
Leaving only themselves to blame.
So glad that I believed, so glad
So glad I've been redeemed
So glad that I believed, so glad
Believed in Christ the King, so glad
Well, the day I gave my heart
To the One who can help me see,
That He saved the best for last
Yeah, He came and made me so glad
So glad that life is forever, so glad
You make me so glad (Repeat)
Because of You, Lord,
Because of the cross
I'm so glad
Well it's been a long time, but it's over
And the promise of His coming has arrived
It's the end of every worry,
It's time to go home.
Well, His people were not fools.
This life was worth fighting for.
Now we're sharing our rewards
With the One that we call the Lord.
And the people the world thought wise,
Are now weeping and gnashing teeth
In a place they thought a fairytale
In the darkness that burns beneath
So glad that I believed, so glad
So glad I've been redeemed
So glad that I believed, so glad
Believed in Christ the King, so glad
Well our new life has just begun
No more death will we ever see
And now Jesus will rule and reign
So that justice will finally be
Though He wished for all to come
Most rejected and cursed His name
But He died for them anyway
Leaving only themselves to blame.
So glad that I believed, so glad
So glad I've been redeemed
So glad that I believed, so glad
Believed in Christ the King, so glad
Well, the day I gave my heart
To the One who can help me see,
That He saved the best for last
Yeah, He came and made me so glad
So glad that life is forever, so glad
You make me so glad (Repeat)
Because of You, Lord,
Because of the cross
I'm so glad
If you are into bands like Stryper, Bloodgood, Journey, or even Queensrÿche then you are going to love what Chosen Stranger has offered up over the years. Their demos and single releases helped play a part in pioneering the way for christian Metal/Hard Rock and, in my book, are all classics now that should be in every 80's Metal fan's collection. Hopefully in the near future the band can put together a compilation album of all their material remastered and reissue it in a more accessible format so that their hard work over the years can be be enjoyed by fans today.
Stay tuned because Chosen Stranger is currently hard at work on a new album and hope to be finished by the year 2020.
Stay tuned because Chosen Stranger is currently hard at work on a new album and hope to be finished by the year 2020.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Russ Atteberry - Lead Vocals
Rusty Ellison - Guitars & Backing Vocals
Kevin Dunkel - Bass
Jeff Ellison - Drums & Backing Vocals
Russ Atteberry - Lead Vocals
Rusty Ellison - Guitars & Backing Vocals
Kevin Dunkel - Bass
Jeff Ellison - Drums & Backing Vocals