Crossforce is a classic Heavy Metal band from San Francisco, California. Crossforce saw its conception back in 1986 when former 'Golgatha' vocalist-Tony Krider & guitarist-Phil Castillo began collaborating to form the band. Not long after joining forces, Tony and Phil started looking for additional musicians to complete the group's roster. They contacted bassist/keyboardist-Jeff Hudson(R.I.P. 2010), & drummer-Mark Cassettari and the two quickly came on board to round out the band's line-up. The newly formed outfit wasted no time in getting to work on material for their debut project.
In 1986 Crossforce released their independent 6-track self-titled demo recording on cassette only format. 'Crossforce' was recorded at a local community college just 2 hours away from the band member's homes and in just two consecutive recording sessions. This recording would prove to be a solid offering and one of the band's strongest projects. The band's original line-up included lead vocalist/keyboardist-Tony Crider(Golgatha), guitarist-Phil Castillo, bassist/keyboarist-Jeff Hudson(R.I.P. 2010), and drummer-Mark Cassettari. The track-list for this '86 demo includes (Side A) A1.Tomorrow Will Come A2.Our Father A3.Smoke-Filled Room (Side B) B1.Out Of The Darkness B2.Ready And Waiting B3.Rockin' Til The Final Day.
In 1987 Crossforce released a second independent demo recording titled 'Frontline' on cassette only format.
'Frontline' was recorded in the band's rehearsal studio in Hayward, Californial. The track-list for this '87 demo includes (Side A) A1.Stompin in the Streets A2.The Call A3.Heavens Door A4.It's Your Life (Side B) B5.Wait and See B6.The One Who Loves You B7.Weeping World.
Crossforce not only recorded albums but they also took their material to the streets performing in live concerts. The band played gigs in the Bay area club scene in San Francisco along with doing many shows in local churches. Crossforce also played at various venues along side many well known bands like Valor, Soldier, Believer, Whitecross, Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Deliverance, and Guardian. Unfortunately, not long after the release of their second album, Crossforce disbanded with the members going there separate ways. However, it wasn't long before vocalist-Tony Krider & guitarist-Phil Castillo teamed up and went on to form another band called 'MERCY'. Tony & Phil contacted bassist-Mike Terry and drummer-Pete Bostaph and the two promptly came on board to complete the band's line-up. MERCY recorded 3 different independent demo recordings
198?-'Demo #1', 1988-'Demo #2', and '1989 Demo'. The track-list for MERCY's '89 Demo includes 1.The Rider 2.Midnight In Your Eyes 3.Joy Is Coming 4.Jesus Wants To Set You Free 5.Deep Inside 6.On Your Knees. It's worth noting that MERCY's demo material has been heard by few and has never before been made available commercially.
In 1987 Crossforce released a second independent demo recording titled 'Frontline' on cassette only format.
'Frontline' was recorded in the band's rehearsal studio in Hayward, Californial. The track-list for this '87 demo includes (Side A) A1.Stompin in the Streets A2.The Call A3.Heavens Door A4.It's Your Life (Side B) B5.Wait and See B6.The One Who Loves You B7.Weeping World.
Crossforce not only recorded albums but they also took their material to the streets performing in live concerts. The band played gigs in the Bay area club scene in San Francisco along with doing many shows in local churches. Crossforce also played at various venues along side many well known bands like Valor, Soldier, Believer, Whitecross, Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Deliverance, and Guardian. Unfortunately, not long after the release of their second album, Crossforce disbanded with the members going there separate ways. However, it wasn't long before vocalist-Tony Krider & guitarist-Phil Castillo teamed up and went on to form another band called 'MERCY'. Tony & Phil contacted bassist-Mike Terry and drummer-Pete Bostaph and the two promptly came on board to complete the band's line-up. MERCY recorded 3 different independent demo recordings
198?-'Demo #1', 1988-'Demo #2', and '1989 Demo'. The track-list for MERCY's '89 Demo includes 1.The Rider 2.Midnight In Your Eyes 3.Joy Is Coming 4.Jesus Wants To Set You Free 5.Deep Inside 6.On Your Knees. It's worth noting that MERCY's demo material has been heard by few and has never before been made available commercially.
In 2011 Roxx Records came to the rescue in order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Crossforce's demo recordings. Roxx Records has made available once more, Crossforce's 2 different rare and hard-to-find, demo recordings on this 2011 release titled 'Rockin' Til The Final Day'. With this re-issue, Roxx has carefully dusted off these old classic gems and have carefully re-mastered them. The end result - each track now sounds better than ever and many listeners can now hear these classic Metal songs for the first time on CD format. The album's cover art was done by Brian L. Marshall and the graphic layout was managed by Scott Watters of No Life til Metal.
Now, to avoid confusion, there are a two different versions that can be obtained of this 2011 release. One version features 14 re-mastered tracks and includes the band's '86 'Crossforce' demo, their '87 'Frontline' demo, and a lost practice session track titled "Rockin' 'Til The Final Day". The second version of this 2011 compilation features 30 re-mastered tracks and includes everything that the first version has and more. This second version features an additional bonus CD which includes MERCY's '1989 Demo' and 10 additional songs that Crossforce recorded live in the studio exclusively for Jimmy Kempner of Frontline Records.
Now, to avoid confusion, there are a two different versions that can be obtained of this 2011 release. One version features 14 re-mastered tracks and includes the band's '86 'Crossforce' demo, their '87 'Frontline' demo, and a lost practice session track titled "Rockin' 'Til The Final Day". The second version of this 2011 compilation features 30 re-mastered tracks and includes everything that the first version has and more. This second version features an additional bonus CD which includes MERCY's '1989 Demo' and 10 additional songs that Crossforce recorded live in the studio exclusively for Jimmy Kempner of Frontline Records.
The track-list for this compilation album includes (Disc 1) 1.Tomorrow Will Come(86 Demo) 2.Our Father(86 Demo) 3.Smoke Filled Room(86 Demo) 4.Out of the Darkness(86 Demo) 5.Ready n Waiting(86 Demo) 6.Rockin' til the Final Day(86 Demo) 7.Stompin in the Streets(Frontline Demo 87) 8.The Call(Frontline Demo 87) 9.Heavens Door(Frontline Demo 87) 10.It's Your Life(Frontline Demo 87) 11.Wait and See(Frontline Demo 87) 12.The One Who Loves You(Frontline Demo 87) 13.Weeping World(Frontline Demo 87) 14.Rockin' til the Final Day(Lost Practice Session 5-13-87).
(Disc 2) 1.The Rider(MERCY-1989 Demo) 2.Midnight In Your Eyes(MERCY-1989 Demo) 3.Joy Is Coming(MERCY-1989 Demo) 4.Jesus Wants To Set You Free(MERCY-1989 Demo) 5.Deep Inside(MERCY-1989 Demo) 6.On Your Knees(MERCY-1989 Demo) 7.Heaven's Door(Crossforce Live) 8.I'm Gonna Follow(Crossforce Live) 9.Smoke Filled Room(Crossforce Live) 10.Ready N Waiting(Crossforce Live) 11.Phil Guitar Solo(Crossforce Live) 12.Will You Take Him Away(Crossforce Live) 13.Out Of The Darkness(Crossforce Live) 14.To Young To Be Lonely(Crossforce Live) 15.The One Who Loves You(Crossforce Live) 16.Rockin' Til The Final Day(Crossforce Live).
(Disc 2) 1.The Rider(MERCY-1989 Demo) 2.Midnight In Your Eyes(MERCY-1989 Demo) 3.Joy Is Coming(MERCY-1989 Demo) 4.Jesus Wants To Set You Free(MERCY-1989 Demo) 5.Deep Inside(MERCY-1989 Demo) 6.On Your Knees(MERCY-1989 Demo) 7.Heaven's Door(Crossforce Live) 8.I'm Gonna Follow(Crossforce Live) 9.Smoke Filled Room(Crossforce Live) 10.Ready N Waiting(Crossforce Live) 11.Phil Guitar Solo(Crossforce Live) 12.Will You Take Him Away(Crossforce Live) 13.Out Of The Darkness(Crossforce Live) 14.To Young To Be Lonely(Crossforce Live) 15.The One Who Loves You(Crossforce Live) 16.Rockin' Til The Final Day(Crossforce Live).
Some of the tracks that really stand out on this 2011 compilation include 1.Tomorrow Will Come 2.Our Father 3.Smoke Filled Room 4.Out of the Darkness 5.Ready n Waiting 6.Rockin' til the Final Day 8.The Call 12.The One Who Loves You 13.Weeping World.
The band's string section is managed from a duo guitar approach comprised of lead guitarist-Phil Castillo & rhythm guitarist-Tony Krider. Phil Castillo's guitar work is not to be taken lightly here because throughout the band's demos we find him offering up nothing short of a guitar fest!
Lyrics are unashamedly Christ centered and evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Tomorrow Will Come"
For all of my life
My heart has been yearning
To tell of Your glory
And sing of Your power
And I await
For the night I'll be with You
Cause I won't hesitate
For the joy in my heart
I always knew
Tomorrow will come
and I know that my life will be with You
Tomorrow will come
And the tears of my life fade away
Yes, tomorrow will come
And this life that I know will be over
Yes, tomorrow will come
"Our Father"
Our Father loves His children so
He died to save the darkened soul
Ooh, I heard the screams and the terror
As she was pulled from her cell
To spend the rest of eternity
Burning in the fires of hell
Oh, why didn't somebody tell her?
She didn't put up a fight
She held the hand of an unseen being
Saying let's stay away from the light
"Smoke Filled Room"
There was a smoke filled room
I watched you standin' there
Your head was hangin' down
So full of guilt and despair
After all these years
Of walkin' by My side
It hurts Me now to watch you
When you try to run and hide
Won't you come to Me
Come back to Me my child
Won't you come and let me love you once again
Won't you come to Me
Come back to Me my child
Oh, cant you see I Am your closest friend
"Out Of The Darkness"
Out of the darkness
That's haunting your mind
There is a river that you need to find
Washing and cleansing for all who believe
Life everlasting for all who receive
Out of the darkness that's all in your past
Jesus will give you a peace ever last
He will be with you what ever you do
Your Past is behind you and all things are new
"The One Who Loves You"
Call on the One who loves you
Cry out His name
Live for the One who saved you
Cry out His name
Jesus!
For all of my life
My heart has been yearning
To tell of Your glory
And sing of Your power
And I await
For the night I'll be with You
Cause I won't hesitate
For the joy in my heart
I always knew
Tomorrow will come
and I know that my life will be with You
Tomorrow will come
And the tears of my life fade away
Yes, tomorrow will come
And this life that I know will be over
Yes, tomorrow will come
"Our Father"
Our Father loves His children so
He died to save the darkened soul
Ooh, I heard the screams and the terror
As she was pulled from her cell
To spend the rest of eternity
Burning in the fires of hell
Oh, why didn't somebody tell her?
She didn't put up a fight
She held the hand of an unseen being
Saying let's stay away from the light
"Smoke Filled Room"
There was a smoke filled room
I watched you standin' there
Your head was hangin' down
So full of guilt and despair
After all these years
Of walkin' by My side
It hurts Me now to watch you
When you try to run and hide
Won't you come to Me
Come back to Me my child
Won't you come and let me love you once again
Won't you come to Me
Come back to Me my child
Oh, cant you see I Am your closest friend
"Out Of The Darkness"
Out of the darkness
That's haunting your mind
There is a river that you need to find
Washing and cleansing for all who believe
Life everlasting for all who receive
Out of the darkness that's all in your past
Jesus will give you a peace ever last
He will be with you what ever you do
Your Past is behind you and all things are new
"The One Who Loves You"
Call on the One who loves you
Cry out His name
Live for the One who saved you
Cry out His name
Jesus!
Crossforce is for fans of classic Rock/Metal bands like Judas Priest, Victory, Apostle, Armada, Justice, and Malachia. If you are looking for some rare Metal music to add to your collection then you are in the right place. I believe we can safely say that Crossforce played a part in helping pioneer the way for other Christian bands of the same genre. Check out what Crossforce has offered up over the years on this 2011 compilation album 'Rockin' Til The Final Day'.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Tony Krider(Golgatha) (R.I.P. 2002) - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, & Piano
Phil Castillo - Lead Guitars
Jeff Scott - Bass
Mark Wrapley - Keyboards
Mark Cassettari(Golgotha) - Drums
Tony Krider(Golgatha) (R.I.P. 2002) - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, & Piano
Phil Castillo - Lead Guitars
Jeff Scott - Bass
Mark Wrapley - Keyboards
Mark Cassettari(Golgotha) - Drums