Lightforce
Lightforce hails from Australia and was formed back in 1985 by bassist-Steve Rowe(Mortification). In 1986 Lightforce released two different demos with the first being a 6-track cassette demo nicknamed the 'Blue Demo' (due to its color). The second was a 5-track cassette demo nicknamed the 'Yellow Demo' (due to its color).
In 1987 Lightforce released their independent full-length debut album titled 'Battlezone'. On this release we find the band delivering up Heavy Metal arrangements in the veins of Judas Priest. The line-up for 'Battlezone' was comprised of Vocalist/Keyboardist-Steve Johnson, Guitarist-Cameron Hall(Mortification), Bassist-Steve Rowe(Mortification), and Drummer-Errol Willenberg. In 1989 Lightforce released their full-length follow-up album 'Mystical Thieves' on the Pure Metal record label. This release finds the band playing a mixture of Power Metal and Thrash oriented arrangements. The line-up for 'Mystical Thieves' was comprised of Vocalist-Steve Johnson, Guitarist-Murray Adams, Bassist-Steve Rowe, Keyboardist-Gary Shepherd, and Drummer-Errol Willemburg. Mystical Thieves was the band's most successful album selling 13,000 copies. Lightforce garnered a strong fan base as they opened for bands like Stryper, Whitecross and Leviticus. By late 1989, the Guitarist & Singer both left the band which led to the disbanding of Lightforce with all members moving on to other things.
In 1990 Steve Rowe regrouped with early Lightforce guitarist-Cameron Hall along with drummer-Jayson Sherlock and recorded a 6-track demo titled 'Break The Curse'. This sparked the birth of a new band now known as 'Mortification'. 'Break The Curse' finds the band members moving in a different and heavier musical direction. Mortification would come to be labeled as a Death Metal band under the leadership of Steve Rowe who now would take front and center as the band's lead vocalist. Mortification's 'Break The Curse' demo was comprised of Steve Rowe on Vocals/Bass, Cameron Hall on Guitars, and Jayson Sherlock on Drums. The band toured Australia in early 1991 before becoming signed and officially re-naming themselves Mortification. 'Break The Curse' was re-released on CD in 1994 with extra tracks from the original sessions. Also, In 1994 via Rowe Productions, Steve Rowe/Lightforce made available 'The Best Of Lightforce - Mortification's Beginnings'. Then, in 2003 Steve Rowe/Lightforce released a 17-track compilation album titled '1986 to 1989'. This compilation contains the re-release of "Battlezone" and "Mystical Thieves" albums, as well as 2-tracks from the 'Yellow Demo'.
In 1987 Lightforce released their independent full-length debut album titled 'Battlezone'. On this release we find the band delivering up Heavy Metal arrangements in the veins of Judas Priest. The line-up for 'Battlezone' was comprised of Vocalist/Keyboardist-Steve Johnson, Guitarist-Cameron Hall(Mortification), Bassist-Steve Rowe(Mortification), and Drummer-Errol Willenberg. In 1989 Lightforce released their full-length follow-up album 'Mystical Thieves' on the Pure Metal record label. This release finds the band playing a mixture of Power Metal and Thrash oriented arrangements. The line-up for 'Mystical Thieves' was comprised of Vocalist-Steve Johnson, Guitarist-Murray Adams, Bassist-Steve Rowe, Keyboardist-Gary Shepherd, and Drummer-Errol Willemburg. Mystical Thieves was the band's most successful album selling 13,000 copies. Lightforce garnered a strong fan base as they opened for bands like Stryper, Whitecross and Leviticus. By late 1989, the Guitarist & Singer both left the band which led to the disbanding of Lightforce with all members moving on to other things.
In 1990 Steve Rowe regrouped with early Lightforce guitarist-Cameron Hall along with drummer-Jayson Sherlock and recorded a 6-track demo titled 'Break The Curse'. This sparked the birth of a new band now known as 'Mortification'. 'Break The Curse' finds the band members moving in a different and heavier musical direction. Mortification would come to be labeled as a Death Metal band under the leadership of Steve Rowe who now would take front and center as the band's lead vocalist. Mortification's 'Break The Curse' demo was comprised of Steve Rowe on Vocals/Bass, Cameron Hall on Guitars, and Jayson Sherlock on Drums. The band toured Australia in early 1991 before becoming signed and officially re-naming themselves Mortification. 'Break The Curse' was re-released on CD in 1994 with extra tracks from the original sessions. Also, In 1994 via Rowe Productions, Steve Rowe/Lightforce made available 'The Best Of Lightforce - Mortification's Beginnings'. Then, in 2003 Steve Rowe/Lightforce released a 17-track compilation album titled '1986 to 1989'. This compilation contains the re-release of "Battlezone" and "Mystical Thieves" albums, as well as 2-tracks from the 'Yellow Demo'.
In 2019 Soundmass reissued Lightforce's 1989 full-length sophomore album 'Mystical Thieves' re-releasing it on all formats - Digital, Vinyl, and CD. This reissue has, once more, made available a piece of christian Metal history. Were talking early Power Metal/Speed Metal all lightly seasoned with Doom. From track to track this album delivers up some respectable guitar play, killer solos, pounding drums, & crushing bass lines.
Lyrics are overtly Christ centered as one can see in the following lyric excerpts:
"Mystical Thieves"
Mystical thieves steal your identity,
You're coming to grief, filled with enmity,
Feel the pain, you cover the cost,
You're buried in sin, your soul is lost,
Run to the seat, the throne of majesty,
Feel His forgiveness, it's no fantasy,
Tear the veil, open your eyes,
Break the chains and run to Christ.
"City Streets"
Hide in the shadows nocturnal haze, scuff the sidewalk, bloodshot daze
The fix and tricks, obscure your brain, but another blast
Won't ease your pain
Out to steal a fistful of crumbs, you punch at the sky
Your life on the run, He offers to you a heartful of love
Don't bite the dust, run to the Son
"Metal Missionary"
Go into all the world
The darkest corners will have heard
That Christ has died to save their souls
The more that go the more will hear
We’ll see them on the narrow road.
Become a Metal Missionary, looking like Jesus did.
Metal Missionary, loved the people Jesus said.
Go into the world of sinners and see them won.
Metal Missionary, stay the way you are.
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
"Fastlane"
As you inject the poison in, death is getting near
And the only way out seems like suicide
There's a silent scream inside your heart you think nobody hears
But God has heard it that's why Jesus died
You say that you don't want to know because of all the lies
That you've been told so many times before
And your situation's getting worse there's no more alibis
And the Son of God is knocking at your door
Life in the fastlane, think of where it's taking you
Life in the fastlane, face the facts, it's true
Life in the fastlane, can't you see your destiny?
Life in the fastlane, God's love will set you free
Mystical thieves steal your identity,
You're coming to grief, filled with enmity,
Feel the pain, you cover the cost,
You're buried in sin, your soul is lost,
Run to the seat, the throne of majesty,
Feel His forgiveness, it's no fantasy,
Tear the veil, open your eyes,
Break the chains and run to Christ.
"City Streets"
Hide in the shadows nocturnal haze, scuff the sidewalk, bloodshot daze
The fix and tricks, obscure your brain, but another blast
Won't ease your pain
Out to steal a fistful of crumbs, you punch at the sky
Your life on the run, He offers to you a heartful of love
Don't bite the dust, run to the Son
"Metal Missionary"
Go into all the world
The darkest corners will have heard
That Christ has died to save their souls
The more that go the more will hear
We’ll see them on the narrow road.
Become a Metal Missionary, looking like Jesus did.
Metal Missionary, loved the people Jesus said.
Go into the world of sinners and see them won.
Metal Missionary, stay the way you are.
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
Metal Missionary
"Fastlane"
As you inject the poison in, death is getting near
And the only way out seems like suicide
There's a silent scream inside your heart you think nobody hears
But God has heard it that's why Jesus died
You say that you don't want to know because of all the lies
That you've been told so many times before
And your situation's getting worse there's no more alibis
And the Son of God is knocking at your door
Life in the fastlane, think of where it's taking you
Life in the fastlane, face the facts, it's true
Life in the fastlane, can't you see your destiny?
Life in the fastlane, God's love will set you free
Once again, after a long 30 year wait, Lightforce's 'Mystical Thieves' album has been made available to fans around the world. This Australian band from down under is a force to be reckoned with so don't let this classic hard-to-find release pass you by.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Steve Johnson - Vocals
Murray Adams - Guitars
Steve Rowe - Bass
Gary Shepherd - Keyboards
Errol Willemburg - Drums
Steve Johnson - Vocals
Murray Adams - Guitars
Steve Rowe - Bass
Gary Shepherd - Keyboards
Errol Willemburg - Drums