JUDEA is an 80's Melodic Metal band that draws comparison well-known acts like Dokken, Great White, Warrant, and Firehouse. In 1988 a young aspiring band called JUDEA appeared on a various artists compilation album titled 'California Metal Volume II'. The album was recorded at Pakaderm Studio and was the brainchild of well-known producers John & Dino Elefante. At the time, Pakaderm was becoming a household name through their involvement in producing favorites like Petra, Guardian, Halo, Barren Cross, X-Sinner, and many more. On this 'California Metal Volume II' project, JUDEA was given exposure alongside some prominent bands of the time like Recon, and Mastedon. JUDEA had two different songs featured on the track-list of this '88 release including track-5 "Heart Of Stone" and track-9 "Knock". With the release of these two tracks, JUDEA caught the attention of Rock & Metal fans alike. The band went on to produce a number of demo tracks but unfortunately, the band never released a full-length album. Without a published album, JUDEA maintained their status as an unknown band by most in the Metal music realm.
However, that changed in 2022 when Roxx Records came to the rescue and released a full-length album featuring all of Judea's previously unreleased tracks. Roxx Records appropriately titled the album ‘Out Of The Dark-The Lost Sessions’. Roxx worked directly with the band in order to bring this record to fruition so that Rock fans can, for the first time, hear these lost gems of the past. The album's incredible cover art was done by none other than Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal. JUDEA's songs were all re-mastered by Rob Colwell at Bombworks Sound. Colwell deserves props for his work on this project because the album's sound quality is spot on.
The track-list for ‘Out Of The Dark-The Lost Sessions’ includes 1.Heart Of Stone(Lost Pakaderm Sessions 1986) 2.Knock(Lost Pakaderm Sessions 1986) 3.Turning Away(Lost Pakaderm Sessions 1986) 4.The Wanderer(Lost Pakaderm Sessions 1986) 5.Over and Done(B-Room Final Pakaderm Session 1987) 6.City of Gold(Demo 1985) 7.Wanderer(Demo 1985) 8.Don’t Take Away(California Session 1991) 9.Jaded(Demo 2006) 10.Not Forgotten(Lost Demo Judea 2.0) 11.Purple Haze (Lost Demo Judea 2.0 - Jimi Hendrix Cover) 12.Heart of Stone (California Metal II 1988) 13.Knock(California Metal II 1988).
It's worth noting that track-11 is a cover of Jimi Hendrix 1966 song "Purple Haze". This tune is one of his best-known songs and was conceived while Jimi was backstage at a club in London. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is included on lists of the greatest guitar songs. At 'Society Of Rock' we find that, throughout the years, "Purple Haze" has come to be one of the most misinterpreted songs. Many have assumed that “Purple Haze” is referring to a psychedelic trip that Jimi had after taking some drugs, however this is far from the truth. Hendrix says the lyrics to the song were inspired by a dream that he had where he could walk underwater. He was walking under the sea, when a purple haze surrounded and engulfed him. Hendrix claimed the experience was traumatic, but luckily his faith in Jesus saved him in the dream. At one point, Jimi originally wrote the lyric “Purple Haze, Jesus saves” within the song, but ultimately opted to omit it. In addition, some of the lyrics in the song were just written by Hendrix in his style of free verse ramblings.
Norman Stevens plays guitars for the band and is pretty proficient behind the six strings. Throughout this project, Stevens is found delivering up many of the different styles from the 80's golden years.
Lyrics are Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Heart of Stone"
The dreams of this world are misleading
It's pride that leads us a stray
Why are the people still grieving?
The Lord will be with them this day
Open your eyes look around you
The world has grown so cold
Pray to the Lord, He will find you
His love can't be bought or sold
Chip away the heart of stone
Can you see the pain that should not be
Chip away the heart of stone
What will it take to make us see
"Knock"
We live in the day of worldly wonder
What will become of you and me
Will we choose the way that will set us free
On our way to thee
Life is much too complicated
For the understanding of mortal man
If we hear the word and take it to heart
That's where He'll make His stand
Can you see Me? Open up your eyes!
Can you hear me say...
Knock and the door will be opened
Ask and you will receive
Knock and the door will be opened
All will be revealed
"Over and Done"
Far away Your love is so near but you still seem so
Far away the love that You gave us
Is drawing us closer each day
We must stand up and fight for what we believe
It's now or never
Now is the time, today is the day, we'll live forever
I believe in the hope that's unseen
I've found what I'm looking for
You carried my cross on Your shoulder
The dreams of this world are misleading
It's pride that leads us a stray
Why are the people still grieving?
The Lord will be with them this day
Open your eyes look around you
The world has grown so cold
Pray to the Lord, He will find you
His love can't be bought or sold
Chip away the heart of stone
Can you see the pain that should not be
Chip away the heart of stone
What will it take to make us see
"Knock"
We live in the day of worldly wonder
What will become of you and me
Will we choose the way that will set us free
On our way to thee
Life is much too complicated
For the understanding of mortal man
If we hear the word and take it to heart
That's where He'll make His stand
Can you see Me? Open up your eyes!
Can you hear me say...
Knock and the door will be opened
Ask and you will receive
Knock and the door will be opened
All will be revealed
"Over and Done"
Far away Your love is so near but you still seem so
Far away the love that You gave us
Is drawing us closer each day
We must stand up and fight for what we believe
It's now or never
Now is the time, today is the day, we'll live forever
I believe in the hope that's unseen
I've found what I'm looking for
You carried my cross on Your shoulder
Thanks to a little archaeological excavation by Roxx Records, fans of the 80's Metal/Arena Rock scene can now enjoy JUDEA's lost demo offerings. If you are looking for some solid classic Metal to add to your collection, then pick up your copy of ‘Out Of The Dark-The Lost Sessions’ today!
Musicians:
Randall Drew Smith - Lead Vocals
Norman Stevens - Guitars
Dan Henry - Bass
Steve Lamb - Drums
Randall Drew Smith - Lead Vocals
Norman Stevens - Guitars
Dan Henry - Bass
Steve Lamb - Drums