Glam Metal came onto the music scene back in the 1980's and has the 70's to thank for some of the fashions often worn by Glam Rock bands of that era. Glam Metal bands are known for their over-the-top costume like outfits along with plenty of makeup to boot. However, no Glam Metal band was complete without the signature big hair which was attained mostly due to the invention of tin canisters packed with a flammable liquid called hair spray.
Of course, one of the most notorious of christian bands to light of the 80's Rock scene was Stryper, with videos circulating on MTV. Stryper took the costume idea to a new level with their yellow and black being seen not only on their outfits, but also on guitars and stage props as well.
Of course, one of the most notorious of christian bands to light of the 80's Rock scene was Stryper, with videos circulating on MTV. Stryper took the costume idea to a new level with their yellow and black being seen not only on their outfits, but also on guitars and stage props as well.
Eternal Ryte formed back in 1984 in the Southern California Metal scene by guitarist-Bobby“Transformer” Smith, bassist-Jon Ciccareli and drummer-Mike Berry. The band placed an add in the 'Recycler' and frontman-Phil Garcia soon joined the group and later changed his name to Phil St. Vincent. Not too long after Phil had arrived, there was a lineup change with Jon Ciccareli being replaced by Bassist-Fred Gustafsson & Mike Berry being replaced by Drummer-Scott“Smash”Ernest.
The band's name has a double meaning with the First being that it's the right to be kings and priests for Jesus Christ. The Second meaning is described in Romans 6:23: it is the right He’s given us through His bloodshed for eternal life.
The band did regular gigs at such hot spots as The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Troubador and even Gazarri’s. They even tackled such festivals as Metal Mardi Gras, Metal Midnight and Metal Meltdown to name a few.
In 1986, the band recorded a 4-track demo for the soul purpose of acquiring labels. This demo was never released to the public and had no cover art. The four tracks were "Armed for Action", "Fight for the Light", "Quiet Times" and "Winners Take All". Some additional tracks that didn't make it onto this untitled demo but are included in their 2007 package release 'Anthology' are "He’s a Killer" (Version 1), "Run for your Life", and a brief Intro track. It's worth noting that the 4 demo tracks and the additional 3 tracks are all remastered on the Anthology collection release.
The band's name has a double meaning with the First being that it's the right to be kings and priests for Jesus Christ. The Second meaning is described in Romans 6:23: it is the right He’s given us through His bloodshed for eternal life.
The band did regular gigs at such hot spots as The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Troubador and even Gazarri’s. They even tackled such festivals as Metal Mardi Gras, Metal Midnight and Metal Meltdown to name a few.
In 1986, the band recorded a 4-track demo for the soul purpose of acquiring labels. This demo was never released to the public and had no cover art. The four tracks were "Armed for Action", "Fight for the Light", "Quiet Times" and "Winners Take All". Some additional tracks that didn't make it onto this untitled demo but are included in their 2007 package release 'Anthology' are "He’s a Killer" (Version 1), "Run for your Life", and a brief Intro track. It's worth noting that the 4 demo tracks and the additional 3 tracks are all remastered on the Anthology collection release.
In 1988, Eternal Ryte released their second demo on cassette-only which came with some fun caricatures of the band members as the album's art work and was complete with liner notes. The 6-tracks on this demo are "Anthem", "No Place To Hide", "Forever Free", "He’s a killer", "King of Kings" and "No More Lies".
In 1990, Eternal Ryte stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their debut full-length album titled 'World Requiem' on Pure Metal Records. This was a solid release that helped garner attention for this Power Metal outfit.
The world was introduced to the clean and crisp Vocals work of Phil St. Vincent who draws comparisons to world-renowned Vocalist Michael Sweet(Stryper).
The world was introduced to the clean and crisp Vocals work of Phil St. Vincent who draws comparisons to world-renowned Vocalist Michael Sweet(Stryper).
The Metal community was also introduced to the fast and furious guitar shredder-Bobby Smith who delivers up nothing short of a Metal feast here on this release.
The only downfall of their 1990 debut was the production which wasn't up to par and was in need of some serious remastering so that all instruments could shine through the mix.
The only downfall of their 1990 debut was the production which wasn't up to par and was in need of some serious remastering so that all instruments could shine through the mix.
Eternal Ryte's lyrics are all up-front and open about the
band's faith in Jesus Christ as one can see in the following lyrics:
"On The Line"
The windows of the world
Are open wide tonight.
Step through the open door,
By heart you know the lines.
Well, there's one thing
You've got to know tonight.
Somebody loves you!
[Chorus]
He paid the price for you.
On the line! On the line!
To show His love for you.
On the line! On the line!
So lay your heart down.
On the line! On the line!
Give it up to Him.
On the line! On the line.
Vanity, all is vanity
In the world you see.
All, but the price He paid
Just for you and me.
It's time you see
Somebody cries for you.
Somebody loves you!
He paid the price for you,
On Calvary!
What greater proof of love
Could you ever need? (None)
He paid the price
To set you free tonight.
'Cause Jesus loves you!
band's faith in Jesus Christ as one can see in the following lyrics:
"On The Line"
The windows of the world
Are open wide tonight.
Step through the open door,
By heart you know the lines.
Well, there's one thing
You've got to know tonight.
Somebody loves you!
[Chorus]
He paid the price for you.
On the line! On the line!
To show His love for you.
On the line! On the line!
So lay your heart down.
On the line! On the line!
Give it up to Him.
On the line! On the line.
Vanity, all is vanity
In the world you see.
All, but the price He paid
Just for you and me.
It's time you see
Somebody cries for you.
Somebody loves you!
He paid the price for you,
On Calvary!
What greater proof of love
Could you ever need? (None)
He paid the price
To set you free tonight.
'Cause Jesus loves you!
In 2007, Eternal Ryte released a 3 part package titled 'World Requiem Anthology'. This package includes a remastered version of their 1990 album World Requiem. It also includes both of the band's 1986 demos along with 7 live tracks bringing the total to a whopping 30 tracks to sink your teeth into.
With the band's 1990 release being overhauled with a much needed remastering, fans can now hear the tracks the way the band had originally intended them to be heard.
With the band's 1990 release being overhauled with a much needed remastering, fans can now hear the tracks the way the band had originally intended them to be heard.
If you're looking for some music that qualifies as a piece of history and your into Glam bands like Dokken, Stryper, Holy Soldier, Shout, Crossrock , and Desyre, then look no further than Eternal Ryte's 'Anthology' release. Pick up you copy today because this 2007 release should be in the collection of all Power Metal fans.
Musicians:
Phil St. Vincent - Lead Vocals
Bobby Smith - Guitars
Fred Gustafsson - Bass
Scott Ernest - Drums
Phil St. Vincent - Lead Vocals
Bobby Smith - Guitars
Fred Gustafsson - Bass
Scott Ernest - Drums