Crystavox is a San Diego, California based band that was founded in 1989. Crystavox plays Melodic Heavy Metal of the highest level drawing from a deep bag of catchy hooks, energetic arrangements, and melodic guitar play. Spinning one of Crystavox's album makes you want to jump into a convertible with the top down and the speakers blasting on full throttle.
In 1990 Crystavox released their debut full-length self-titled album and fans got a dose of what this California band was capable of. This release includes some solid fret work by shredders-Tony Lopez & Loren Holmquiststrong, pounding drum lines by percussionist-Fred Helm, and strong vocal work by frontman-Adam Lee Kemp. I must say that Adam's performance with Crystavox has garnered him the right to be placed up with the ranks of the greats like Rob Rock.
In 1990 Crystavox released their debut full-length self-titled album and fans got a dose of what this California band was capable of. This release includes some solid fret work by shredders-Tony Lopez & Loren Holmquiststrong, pounding drum lines by percussionist-Fred Helm, and strong vocal work by frontman-Adam Lee Kemp. I must say that Adam's performance with Crystavox has garnered him the right to be placed up with the ranks of the greats like Rob Rock.
After Crystavox released their debut self-titled album in 1990 it would be another 2 years before fans would hear from the band again. In 1992 Crystavox released their follow-up sophomore full-length album titled 'The Bottom Line'. This release finds the band at the top of their game with the band's motors firing on all pistons. Here the group's arrangements are smooth and well thought out with good production along with thought provoking christian lyrics. Guitarists - Tony Lopez & Loren Holmquist even include some Power Metal riffs giving fans plenty to get excited about with their smoke'n fast guitar play.
Get ready to hold up those lighters high because Crystavoxs' debut & sophomore release both include power ballads not unlike other bands of their era. On the band's debut album the power ballad is track-5 "Home Again" and on their sophomore album it is track-8 "Shame."
Shortly after their second release, Crystavox disbanded ending a 4 year long run yet leaving two solid albums for their fans to enjoy.
Get ready to hold up those lighters high because Crystavoxs' debut & sophomore release both include power ballads not unlike other bands of their era. On the band's debut album the power ballad is track-5 "Home Again" and on their sophomore album it is track-8 "Shame."
Shortly after their second release, Crystavox disbanded ending a 4 year long run yet leaving two solid albums for their fans to enjoy.
In 2010 the band released a greatest hits album title 'Crystavox-The 20 Year Mix'. On this compilation album tunes from the band's debut and sophomore efforts were re-mastered using today's technology with additional guitar overtones giving the tracks a fresh and fuller up to date sound. According to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: The discussions progressed, causing the band to research where the original master recordings were located. Crystavox's lead guitarist Tony Lopez found the master tapes stored in a warehouse in Burbank, California. The band's previous record label, Ocean Records, released the archived media back to Crystavox. "We were finally in possession of all the two-inch masters from both records but after 20 years in storage, we would have to bake the tapes in order to allow them to pass through a tape machine again," said Lopez. "Convection baking worked and we were able to digitize the tapes in high resolution to the Pro Tools format."
The band's lyrics are filled with wisdom. I haven't seen many bands
with this gift of writing like Crystavox has shown.
with this gift of writing like Crystavox has shown.
"Wear It Out"
It's been a long time since the truth's been told
Lukewarm living let the fire get cold
We sat so long that it's hard to stand
Start a fire from a spark to consume the land
You'll never learn to live until you take that stand
(And)
Wear it out - Not afraid to show the way
Wear it out - Live it each and every day
Wear it out - Not afraid to stop and pray
Wear it out - No matter what the world may say
Now I'm on fire and I like it a lot
I let the truth burn holes in the infection that I caught
Stand and shout, be the water in a drought
You can look like Jesus if you wear it out
"Home Again"
My Lord started a fire but it hurts to hold it out.
And I can't deny the flame when my hearts wants me to doubt.
Sometimes in confusion I choose to lose my way.
But never beyond His faithful grip when I can hear Him say,
Come Home . . .
There's a thousand reasons why I can justify my ways.
A temporary refuge where I hide but never stay.
Nothing is accomplished when I'm busy building walls.
Yet nothing but acceptance lights the way when Daddy calls!
(Saying)
Come home son - So many a night my tears brought you the rain
Come home son - It hurt so much but you are worth the pain.
Come home son - I have so many things to give to you.
Come home son - Today we start. Today all things are new
If you just come home . . .
I hold eternal fire that the world cannot put out
And it burns away desire to accept a life of doubt.
To find the world is sacrificed on an altar of vanity,
draws me to my Father's arms where He longs for me to be.
Come home son - So many a night my tears brought you the rain
Come home son - It hurt so much but you are worth the pain.
Come home son - I have so many things to give to you.
Come home son - Today we start. Today all things are new
If you just come home again.
"It's All right"
Fools don't worship and they reap what they sow.
So put your hands together and we'll let them know . . .
(That we're)
Warm and gettin' ready it's our turn to prove.
That we're here to rock steady. Get into the groove.
Cause it's all right, to Rock 'n' Roll.
Cause it's all right to break a traditional mold.
Cause it's all right to cross over, He's paid the toll.
OOO It's all right to worship loud and bold.
Yes it's all right for the Church to Rock 'n' Roll.
It's been a long time since the truth's been told
Lukewarm living let the fire get cold
We sat so long that it's hard to stand
Start a fire from a spark to consume the land
You'll never learn to live until you take that stand
(And)
Wear it out - Not afraid to show the way
Wear it out - Live it each and every day
Wear it out - Not afraid to stop and pray
Wear it out - No matter what the world may say
Now I'm on fire and I like it a lot
I let the truth burn holes in the infection that I caught
Stand and shout, be the water in a drought
You can look like Jesus if you wear it out
"Home Again"
My Lord started a fire but it hurts to hold it out.
And I can't deny the flame when my hearts wants me to doubt.
Sometimes in confusion I choose to lose my way.
But never beyond His faithful grip when I can hear Him say,
Come Home . . .
There's a thousand reasons why I can justify my ways.
A temporary refuge where I hide but never stay.
Nothing is accomplished when I'm busy building walls.
Yet nothing but acceptance lights the way when Daddy calls!
(Saying)
Come home son - So many a night my tears brought you the rain
Come home son - It hurt so much but you are worth the pain.
Come home son - I have so many things to give to you.
Come home son - Today we start. Today all things are new
If you just come home . . .
I hold eternal fire that the world cannot put out
And it burns away desire to accept a life of doubt.
To find the world is sacrificed on an altar of vanity,
draws me to my Father's arms where He longs for me to be.
Come home son - So many a night my tears brought you the rain
Come home son - It hurt so much but you are worth the pain.
Come home son - I have so many things to give to you.
Come home son - Today we start. Today all things are new
If you just come home again.
"It's All right"
Fools don't worship and they reap what they sow.
So put your hands together and we'll let them know . . .
(That we're)
Warm and gettin' ready it's our turn to prove.
That we're here to rock steady. Get into the groove.
Cause it's all right, to Rock 'n' Roll.
Cause it's all right to break a traditional mold.
Cause it's all right to cross over, He's paid the toll.
OOO It's all right to worship loud and bold.
Yes it's all right for the Church to Rock 'n' Roll.
My only complaint is why did Crystavox only put out two albums? This band had the right sound at the right time and still sound great today. We can only hope that they will follow the same path as other great bands such as Stryper and Sacred Warrior who after many years, have released new albums.
Musicians:
Adam Lee Kemp-Lead Vocals
Tony Lopez-Guitars
Loren Holmquist-Guitars
Fred Helm-Drums
Musicians:
Adam Lee Kemp-Lead Vocals
Tony Lopez-Guitars
Loren Holmquist-Guitars
Fred Helm-Drums