Focused is a Crossover Thrash band from Huntington Beach/Long Beach that originated back in 1990. Focused is labeled as a Hardcore band however, there is a lot more going on in their arrangements than just Hardcore elements. Don't let the band's genre placement scare you away from checking them out because there's a lot of great Thrash to be discovered here. Focused was one of the better Christian Hardcore Crossover bands to come out of the 1990's. Crossover Thrash or simply Crossover-meaning that the band crossed over from Hardcore Punk to Thrash.
1993
In 1993 focused released their debut full-length album simply titled 'Bow' on Tooth & Nail Records. This release finds the band at the top of their game with solid debut offering. Members of the band 'focused' are also long time buddies with vocalist-Mark Salomon(Outer Circle/The Crucified/Stavesacre). They came together and recorded the song "Blinded" on the 'Bow' CD featuring Mark Salomon's vocals. This tune starts off as any other song on the album then slowly crosses over into a hardcore Rap song which actually works well with the arrangements. I must say that if you have listened to any of The Crucified albums then you probably noticed right off that vocalist-Tim Mann sounds a lot like vocalist-Mark Salomon(The Crucified).
"Forever"
Victory is mine
As I recover from my wrong doings
Taste my tears endure the hardships
That I've been myself through
Tear up the grief
That I've heaped upon myself
Sacrifice me forever
Sacrifice me
Fire of love addicted to the light
Unseen the wonders of your hand
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I will cut through the evil that enslaves me
I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Sacrifice me forever
Sacrifice me
Unseen the wonders through your hand
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I will cut through the evil that enslaves me
And I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Forever, forever
Forever, forever
Sacrifice me
Now may the God of peace who raised the Christ
From the dead
Great Shepherd of sheep and through the very blood
Of the everlasting covenant
Make me complete in every work
To do your will pleasing in your sight
Through the Christ to whom be the glory
Forever and ever
Forever and ever
Forever and ever
Sacrifice me
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I'll cut through the evil that enslaves me
I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Through the Christ to whom be the glory
"Perfect Will"
Never will I leave you.
Never will I forsake you.
Cause now I stand with confidence.
Lord you are my healer, provider, redeemer.
And I will not be afraid for what could a man do to me?
(Romans 12:2...)
I will not conform any longer to the pattern of this world
but be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
Then I will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
(1 John 4:4...)
Because the one who is in me is greater than the one in this world
Humility when I fall to my knees for not my will but thy will be done.
For I am not my own.
I was bought with a price, the price a bloody sacrifice.
And I will live for you.
Victory is mine
As I recover from my wrong doings
Taste my tears endure the hardships
That I've been myself through
Tear up the grief
That I've heaped upon myself
Sacrifice me forever
Sacrifice me
Fire of love addicted to the light
Unseen the wonders of your hand
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I will cut through the evil that enslaves me
I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Sacrifice me forever
Sacrifice me
Unseen the wonders through your hand
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I will cut through the evil that enslaves me
And I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Forever, forever
Forever, forever
Sacrifice me
Now may the God of peace who raised the Christ
From the dead
Great Shepherd of sheep and through the very blood
Of the everlasting covenant
Make me complete in every work
To do your will pleasing in your sight
Through the Christ to whom be the glory
Forever and ever
Forever and ever
Forever and ever
Sacrifice me
Like a sword two sided sharpened edge
I'll cut through the evil that enslaves me
I will prevail and learn from my mistakes
Through the Christ to whom be the glory
"Perfect Will"
Never will I leave you.
Never will I forsake you.
Cause now I stand with confidence.
Lord you are my healer, provider, redeemer.
And I will not be afraid for what could a man do to me?
(Romans 12:2...)
I will not conform any longer to the pattern of this world
but be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
Then I will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
(1 John 4:4...)
Because the one who is in me is greater than the one in this world
Humility when I fall to my knees for not my will but thy will be done.
For I am not my own.
I was bought with a price, the price a bloody sacrifice.
And I will live for you.
(See Site Info for Sword Scale Meaning)
Just two years later, in 1995 focused released their sophomore full-length album titled 'The Hope That Lies Within' also on Tooth & Nail Records. I'm not sure what happened on their sophomore album because this release is not on the same level as their debut album "Bow". However, there are a few songs on the album worth checking out.
A few years after their 1995 release "The Hope That Lies Within," the band disbanded and in 1999 focused released a 14-track compilation album titled 'The Wheels Of Progress 1992-1996' on Gunshow Recordings.
in 2000 the band reunited once again and did another demo and a few gigs. In 2009 they got together again and did some more shows and also opened for Demon Hunter.
For those interested in more recent releases by the band, in 2019 focused released a 6-track EP titled 'At Eternity's Gate' on Steadfast Records. This release follows closely at the heels of the band's 1993 release 'Bow' with very similar arrangements. The reason that this EP is so similar to 'Bow' is that it was originally recorded in 1993 and finally unarchived & remixed from the original 1/2" masters in 2019.
A few years after their 1995 release "The Hope That Lies Within," the band disbanded and in 1999 focused released a 14-track compilation album titled 'The Wheels Of Progress 1992-1996' on Gunshow Recordings.
in 2000 the band reunited once again and did another demo and a few gigs. In 2009 they got together again and did some more shows and also opened for Demon Hunter.
For those interested in more recent releases by the band, in 2019 focused released a 6-track EP titled 'At Eternity's Gate' on Steadfast Records. This release follows closely at the heels of the band's 1993 release 'Bow' with very similar arrangements. The reason that this EP is so similar to 'Bow' is that it was originally recorded in 1993 and finally unarchived & remixed from the original 1/2" masters in 2019.
Focused comes highly recommended to all fans of Crossover Thrash who are looking for some classic music to add to their arsenal. If you are into bands like The Crucified, Focal Point, Unashamed, or Strongarm then you are going to love what focused brings to the table.
Musicians: (Throughout the years)
Tim Mann-Vocals
Mike Merryman-Guitars
Jason Parker-Guitars
Andrew Reizuch-Guitars
Dirk Lemmenes-Bass(The crucified,Stavesacre)
Chris Bowden-Drums
Al Christiensen-Drums
Tim Mann-Vocals
Mike Merryman-Guitars
Jason Parker-Guitars
Andrew Reizuch-Guitars
Dirk Lemmenes-Bass(The crucified,Stavesacre)
Chris Bowden-Drums
Al Christiensen-Drums
