Paradox is a Heavy Metal band that formed in San Antonio, Texas back in 1985. The band's sound can be compared to such well known bands like Thee Final Chaptre, Sacred Warrior, and Stryper. Fern Hernandez-"The bands name is something that is true but may seem untrue like Jesus was the savior but people didn’t believe him because they thought he couldn’t be the savior of the world when he announced himself as God".
Paradox was not one of the more well known bands in the Metal realm however, they were one of the better christian bands to come out of the 80's Heavy Metal scene. The biggest reason for the band's lack of exposure is not their lack of material because the group has 4 different recordings to their credit. However, all 4 recordings went unpublished which explains their lack of publicity. Paradox's various recordings include an 8-track demo titled 'Ruler' recorded in 1987, a 5-track demo titled 'Power & Glory' recorded in 1988, a 6-track demo titled 'Crusaders Of The Cross' recorded in 1991, and a full-length compilation album of their early works titled 'The Wrath' recorded in 1999.
Paradox was not one of the more well known bands in the Metal realm however, they were one of the better christian bands to come out of the 80's Heavy Metal scene. The biggest reason for the band's lack of exposure is not their lack of material because the group has 4 different recordings to their credit. However, all 4 recordings went unpublished which explains their lack of publicity. Paradox's various recordings include an 8-track demo titled 'Ruler' recorded in 1987, a 5-track demo titled 'Power & Glory' recorded in 1988, a 6-track demo titled 'Crusaders Of The Cross' recorded in 1991, and a full-length compilation album of their early works titled 'The Wrath' recorded in 1999.
Paradox band members list the following groups as being some of their stronger Influences: Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Dream Theater, Kansas, UFO, Stryper, Mark Farner, Uli Jon Roth, Recon, Deep Purple, Uiah Heep, King Crimson, Capton Beyond, Glen Hughes, Trapeze, Haven, Robert Halford, Riot, Rush, Robert Plant, and Led Zeppelin.
In 1987 Paradox recorded their independent 8-track demo simply titled 'Ruler' on cassette tape format. Their demo was produced & engineered by Marius Perron III and was recorded & mixed at UAR Studios. The line-up for 'Ruler' was comprised of vocalist-Manuel Castillo, lead guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, rhythm guitarist-John Vidaurri, bass/vocals/keyboardist-Phil Galicia(TNK), and drummer-Efrain Galicia. Ruler finds the band in top form playing guitar driven energetic 80's era Heavy Metal with soaring vocals. All lyrics are unabashedly Christ centered which seems to be the norm for christian bands of the 80's era.
The track-list for 'Ruler' includes 1.Long Live the King 2.Singing All Night 3.We Are the Temple 4.Ruler 5.Last Race 6.Stand Up for Jesus 7.Can't You See 8.You Must Be Saved.
The track-list for 'Ruler' includes 1.Long Live the King 2.Singing All Night 3.We Are the Temple 4.Ruler 5.Last Race 6.Stand Up for Jesus 7.Can't You See 8.You Must Be Saved.
Shortly after the recording of the band's 'Ruler' demo, sadly, guitarist-John Vidaurri passed away that same year in December of 1987.
In 1988 Paradox recorded a second independent demo featuring 5-tracks titled 'Power & Glory' on cassette tape format. With Power & Glory Paradox comes out swinging with tighter, heavier, hook driven arrangements.
The line-up for 'Power & Glory' was comprised of vocalist-Manuel Castillo, lead & rhythm guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, bassist/keyboardist-Phil Galicia(TNK), and drummer-Efrain Galicia.
The track-list for 'Power & Glory' includes 1.Power and Glory 2.I Just Want to Love You 3.Meet the King 4.Sweet Reunion 5.God's Amazing Grace.
The line-up for 'Power & Glory' was comprised of vocalist-Manuel Castillo, lead & rhythm guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, bassist/keyboardist-Phil Galicia(TNK), and drummer-Efrain Galicia.
The track-list for 'Power & Glory' includes 1.Power and Glory 2.I Just Want to Love You 3.Meet the King 4.Sweet Reunion 5.God's Amazing Grace.
1988 was a good year for Paradox with the band garnering additional recognition from being featured on a band compilation album titled 'Underground Metal' released on Regency Records. "Ruler" was the song featured on the album's track list. However, their was a typo because the featured track is actually “Meet The King” not “Ruler”.
In 1990 Paradox's killer song "Give A Listen" was featured on a compilation album titled 'Big Rage! Volume 1' and released on Pure Metal records.
In 1991 Paradox recorded a 6-track independent demo titled 'Crusaders Of The Cross' on cassette tape format. The demo included tracks 1.Banner at War 2.Crusaders of the Cross 3.At the Foot of the Cross 4.Psalm 25 5.The Wrath 6.It's Not Over Yet. This was another solid hard hittin' recording for the band featuring soaring vocals from frontman-Manuel Castillo, lead guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, lead & rythmn guitarist-Roy Salas, bassist-Jave Patterson, and drummer-Anthony de la Garza.
Within the 1990's era, Paradox shared the stage at venues like Cornerstone, Sneakers, Rock Island, The Backroom, and the Austin Opera House with bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Guardian, Lynch Mob, Kings X and many others.
In 1991 Paradox recorded a 6-track independent demo titled 'Crusaders Of The Cross' on cassette tape format. The demo included tracks 1.Banner at War 2.Crusaders of the Cross 3.At the Foot of the Cross 4.Psalm 25 5.The Wrath 6.It's Not Over Yet. This was another solid hard hittin' recording for the band featuring soaring vocals from frontman-Manuel Castillo, lead guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, lead & rythmn guitarist-Roy Salas, bassist-Jave Patterson, and drummer-Anthony de la Garza.
Within the 1990's era, Paradox shared the stage at venues like Cornerstone, Sneakers, Rock Island, The Backroom, and the Austin Opera House with bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Guardian, Lynch Mob, Kings X and many others.
In 1999 Paradox recorded their independent full-length album titled 'The Wrath' on Paradox Records. This is a compilation album including songs from the band's previous demo recordings. This album includes all 5-tracks from their 1988 'Power & Glory' demo, 5-tracks from the band's 1991 demo 'Crusaders Of The Cross' recording, along with 2-new original track recordings. The track-list for 'The Wrath' includes 1.At The Foot Of The Cross 2.Psalm 25 3.The Wrath 4.Crusaders Of The Cross 5.It's Not Over Yet 6.Power And Glory 7.I Just Wanna Love You 8.Meet The King 9.Sweet Reunion 10.God's Amazing Grace 11.Called And Chosen 12.Give A Listen 13.(Unfinished Track).
'The Wrath' was never released commercially. Paradox allegedly began work on this release in 1989, however, as one can see with track-13, the album never came to fruition. It was reported that in 1999 the band made this release available to their fans, at their Myspace page, as a CD-R recording.
The band had the following to say about this release: "While we were duely impressed by our contemporaries like X-Sinner, Guardian and Stryper, we were also impressed by the musicianship of secular bands like Queensrÿche, Fates Warning and prog-masters Kansas. Therefore, this album has a decidedly dark, heavy and progressive sound to it, unlike 'Ruler' and 'Power and Glory'. We recorded this album after coming back from spending a week at Goldmine Studios in Nashville working on a new version of "We Are The Temple". We were frustrated with the hard work on that song and the poor outcome and decided to go back "home" and do an entire album ourselves."
The band line-up for 'The Wrath' included frontman-Manuel Castillo, lead guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, lead & rythmn guitarist-Roy Salas, bassist-Jave Patterson, and drummer-Anthony de la Garza.
'The Wrath' was never released commercially. Paradox allegedly began work on this release in 1989, however, as one can see with track-13, the album never came to fruition. It was reported that in 1999 the band made this release available to their fans, at their Myspace page, as a CD-R recording.
The band had the following to say about this release: "While we were duely impressed by our contemporaries like X-Sinner, Guardian and Stryper, we were also impressed by the musicianship of secular bands like Queensrÿche, Fates Warning and prog-masters Kansas. Therefore, this album has a decidedly dark, heavy and progressive sound to it, unlike 'Ruler' and 'Power and Glory'. We recorded this album after coming back from spending a week at Goldmine Studios in Nashville working on a new version of "We Are The Temple". We were frustrated with the hard work on that song and the poor outcome and decided to go back "home" and do an entire album ourselves."
The band line-up for 'The Wrath' included frontman-Manuel Castillo, lead guitarist-Fernando Hernandez, lead & rythmn guitarist-Roy Salas, bassist-Jave Patterson, and drummer-Anthony de la Garza.
Tragically, After having recorded 'The Wrath', Paradox band members all went their separate ways...
In 2011 Demon Doll Records released an 11-track compilation album titled 'Power And Glory' on digital format. This compilation includes 4-tracks from Paradox's original 'Ruler' demo and 5-tracks from their original 'Power & Glory' demo along with 2 additional tracks from 'The Wrath'. The track-list for this 2011 compilation - includes 1.Power and Glory(Power and Glory) 2.I Wanna Love You(Power and Glory) 3.Meet The King(Power and Glory) 4.Sweet Reunion(Power and Glory) 5.God's Amazing Grace(Power and Glory) 6.Call and Chosen(The Wrath) 7.Give A Listen(The Wrath) 8.Singing All Night(Ruler) 9.Long Live The King(Ruler) 10.Last Race(Ruler) 11.Can't You See(Ruler).
Lyrics are overtly Christ centered as on can see in the following excerpts:
"At The Foot Of The Cross"
Water water for my thirst but
They give me gall and vinegar to drink
Father forgive them for they no not what they do
Father forgive them for they no not what they do
Father why have you forsaken me
Why have you forsaken me
Into your hands I commend my Spirit
Come to the foot of the cross and bow down before his Throne
He has Dominion and glory to show you your everlasting life
Your everlasting life Your everlasting life
"Crusaders Of The Cross"
Their always seeking justice they’re ready to defend
The Blood of Jesus Christ unto the very end
Armed with the Blood shed at Calvary
Cleansing our sin for all eternity
We are Crusaders of the Cross
Marching on to Victory
Marching on to Victory
"The Wrath"
The Sun will be turn to darkness
The Moon will not give out light
All the Stars in the Sky shall be gathered and dissolved
The Heavens will be shaken we will see the Sign
The Son of Man will appear in the Sky all the Earth will know the time
The Angels will gather together from one end to the other
The Elect of God and all the people that found favor with Him
The Sword of the Lord is bathed in Blood my Sword has drunk its fill
All the Stars of Heaven shall be gathered and dissolved
The Sky is rolled up like a Scroll
The Slain shall be cast down
Oh Oh Soaked with Blood
Water water for my thirst but
They give me gall and vinegar to drink
Father forgive them for they no not what they do
Father forgive them for they no not what they do
Father why have you forsaken me
Why have you forsaken me
Into your hands I commend my Spirit
Come to the foot of the cross and bow down before his Throne
He has Dominion and glory to show you your everlasting life
Your everlasting life Your everlasting life
"Crusaders Of The Cross"
Their always seeking justice they’re ready to defend
The Blood of Jesus Christ unto the very end
Armed with the Blood shed at Calvary
Cleansing our sin for all eternity
We are Crusaders of the Cross
Marching on to Victory
Marching on to Victory
"The Wrath"
The Sun will be turn to darkness
The Moon will not give out light
All the Stars in the Sky shall be gathered and dissolved
The Heavens will be shaken we will see the Sign
The Son of Man will appear in the Sky all the Earth will know the time
The Angels will gather together from one end to the other
The Elect of God and all the people that found favor with Him
The Sword of the Lord is bathed in Blood my Sword has drunk its fill
All the Stars of Heaven shall be gathered and dissolved
The Sky is rolled up like a Scroll
The Slain shall be cast down
Oh Oh Soaked with Blood
Over the years Paradox has released a number of solid recordings that are waiting to be heard, by most, for the first time. If you have a nostalgia for the 80's & 90's Metal scene then pick up some of the band's offerings and relive the golden years of Metal music all over again.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians Presently:
Manny Castillo - Lead Vocals
Fernando Hernandez - Lead Guitars
Roy Salas - Rhythm & Lead Guitars
John Buitron - Bass
Omar Guerra - Drums
Manny Castillo - Lead Vocals
Fernando Hernandez - Lead Guitars
Roy Salas - Rhythm & Lead Guitars
John Buitron - Bass
Omar Guerra - Drums