The Crucified formed back in 1984 and is an American Crossover Thrash band from the area of Fresno, CA. (Crossover Thrash or simply Crossover-meaning that the band crossed over from Hard core Punk to Thrash). The band's original name was KGB and was made up of four friends from the same church with Vocalist Wayne Stonecipher, Guitarist Greg Minier, Bassist Kirk Palmer, and Drummer Jim Chaffin. In 1985 Vocalist Wayne Stonecipher left the band so Minier asked Vocalist Mark Salomon to try out for the part. After singing a few of the bands songs, Salomon was accepted as the new lead Vocalist.
That summer, KGB recorded a 10-song Demo but it never reached circulation. Bassist Kirk Palmer left the band and was replaced by his brother Trevor Palmer. During this time, guitarist Greg Minier decided that the band needed a fresh start and took the opportunity to rename the band The Crucified.
In 1986 The Crucified released a demo called "Take up your Cross" and it was distributed worldwide via mail order. In 1987 the band released the demo EP "Nailed" as their exposure continued to grow. On these two albums, you can hear the developement of the bands musical style. The two demos have a Punk/Rock sound with a few songs having some fast-Speed Metal riffage in them. Some of the guitar work has that 70's feel to it. The production is pretty good for Demo albums. Shortly after the release of "Nailed", the whole band graduated High School and Bassist Trevor Palmer left the band in order to go to College. Soon thereafter, local- Mark Johnson joined the band replacing Palmer.
Greg Sostrum of Narrow Path Records, saw the band playing and offered them a recording contract so the band produced a new album with their self-title "The Crucified." Then the band began touring throughout California and playing at the Cornerstone festivals near Chicago.
I really like the unique vocals of Mark on this album as he has a Skat-like fast delivery that when combined with the moments that he talks in the songs, it comes across as sounding a bit Jazzy. He also sounds very comfortable behind the mic giving the band a mature sound.
That summer, KGB recorded a 10-song Demo but it never reached circulation. Bassist Kirk Palmer left the band and was replaced by his brother Trevor Palmer. During this time, guitarist Greg Minier decided that the band needed a fresh start and took the opportunity to rename the band The Crucified.
In 1986 The Crucified released a demo called "Take up your Cross" and it was distributed worldwide via mail order. In 1987 the band released the demo EP "Nailed" as their exposure continued to grow. On these two albums, you can hear the developement of the bands musical style. The two demos have a Punk/Rock sound with a few songs having some fast-Speed Metal riffage in them. Some of the guitar work has that 70's feel to it. The production is pretty good for Demo albums. Shortly after the release of "Nailed", the whole band graduated High School and Bassist Trevor Palmer left the band in order to go to College. Soon thereafter, local- Mark Johnson joined the band replacing Palmer.
Greg Sostrum of Narrow Path Records, saw the band playing and offered them a recording contract so the band produced a new album with their self-title "The Crucified." Then the band began touring throughout California and playing at the Cornerstone festivals near Chicago.
I really like the unique vocals of Mark on this album as he has a Skat-like fast delivery that when combined with the moments that he talks in the songs, it comes across as sounding a bit Jazzy. He also sounds very comfortable behind the mic giving the band a mature sound.
Lyrics to one of the band's tunes:
"Confidence"
WE'VE GOTTA MOVE ON
JUST LIVIN' OUR LIVES FOR JESUS CHRIST
I KNOW. IT'S HARD TO BE STRONG.
BUT JUST HAVE FAITH. HE'LL KEEP US IN THE FIGHT.
AND HE
SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE US
OR FORSAKE US
HE TOLD ME SO
HE'S IN CONTROL, AND SOON HE'LL TAKE US HOME.
STICK TOGETHER, LOOK AHEAD
NO MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS
JUST THINK BACK TO YESTERDAY
YOU'RE STILL ALIVE IT DIDN'T GET YOU YET
HE'S IN CONTROL
DON'T BE AFRAID
HE SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE
OR FORSAKE US
[REPEAT FIRST VERSE]
THAT'S CONFIDENCE MY FRIEND.
WE'VE GOTTA MOVE ON
JUST LIVIN' OUR LIVES FOR JESUS CHRIST
I KNOW. IT'S HARD TO BE STRONG.
BUT JUST HAVE FAITH. HE'LL KEEP US IN THE FIGHT.
AND HE
SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE US
OR FORSAKE US
HE TOLD ME SO
HE'S IN CONTROL, AND SOON HE'LL TAKE US HOME.
STICK TOGETHER, LOOK AHEAD
NO MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS
JUST THINK BACK TO YESTERDAY
YOU'RE STILL ALIVE IT DIDN'T GET YOU YET
HE'S IN CONTROL
DON'T BE AFRAID
HE SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE
OR FORSAKE US
[REPEAT FIRST VERSE]
THAT'S CONFIDENCE MY FRIEND.
Shortly after the release of the album "The Crucified," Bassist Mark Johnson left the band and was replaced by Jeff Bellew.
Under a new record label called Ocean Entertainment, the band began recording a new album called "The Pillars of Humanity" at Mama Jo's Recording Studio in Hollywood, CA.The reviews for "Pillars" were strong but Ocean was unable to market the album so sales never took off. In the summers of 91 and 92, the band loaded up and toured the U.S. to promote the album. by the way, Pillars is a hard to find collectors album that is consider to be one of the best releases by The Crucified so if you get your little greasy hands on a copy, then hold onto it and consider yourself blessed.
In 1992 the band began to grow apart and in '93 the group broke up ending their 9 year run as one of the top Crossover Thrash bands in world.
Jeff Bellew and Mark Salomon went on to form the successful band Stavesacre.
The Crucified did some more shows in 2009 including playing at Conerstone and one show overseas at the Nordic Festival in Norway.
The Crucified is recommended to all who like their Thrash laced with a slightly Punk attitude along with an uncompromising message.
Musicians:
Mark Salomon-Vocals
Greg Minier-Guitars
Jeff Bellew-Bass
Jim Chaffin-Drums
Under a new record label called Ocean Entertainment, the band began recording a new album called "The Pillars of Humanity" at Mama Jo's Recording Studio in Hollywood, CA.The reviews for "Pillars" were strong but Ocean was unable to market the album so sales never took off. In the summers of 91 and 92, the band loaded up and toured the U.S. to promote the album. by the way, Pillars is a hard to find collectors album that is consider to be one of the best releases by The Crucified so if you get your little greasy hands on a copy, then hold onto it and consider yourself blessed.
In 1992 the band began to grow apart and in '93 the group broke up ending their 9 year run as one of the top Crossover Thrash bands in world.
Jeff Bellew and Mark Salomon went on to form the successful band Stavesacre.
The Crucified did some more shows in 2009 including playing at Conerstone and one show overseas at the Nordic Festival in Norway.
The Crucified is recommended to all who like their Thrash laced with a slightly Punk attitude along with an uncompromising message.
Musicians:
Mark Salomon-Vocals
Greg Minier-Guitars
Jeff Bellew-Bass
Jim Chaffin-Drums