Xalt
Xalt is an 80's Heavy Metal band that formed back in 1987 in Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee. Xalt was at the forefront leading the christian Metal movement in Michigan, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. The Original band was comprised of Vocalist-Scott Doerfler, Guitarist/Keyboardist-James Erdman, Bassist-Steve David, Drummer-Todd Gleason. The band's arrangements are laced with all the right hooks coupled with the proficient guitar play of guitarist-James Eardman. Eardman can shred with the best of them bringing everything from Power Metal riffs to 80's era noodling to heavy driving guitar play. Vocalist-Scott Doerfler's delivery falls in the mid to upper ranges. Often, Scott is joined by the other band members' to capture a choir like vocal sound throughout which plays a big part in giving Xalt's work an 80's Glam Metal feel.
The band had a total of four full-length releases to their credit that were produced within a nine year span. The following is the band's discography:
The band had a total of four full-length releases to their credit that were produced within a nine year span. The following is the band's discography:
In 1988 Xalt released their independent full-length album titled 'Dark War' which has become a hard to find collectors item for many fans of Classic Metal. Their debut was released in cassette only format and unfortunately came with a below average poor thinly recorded sound quality.
In 1990 Xalt released their follow-up full-length album titled 'Under The Ruins'. This sophomore release finds the band leaving the independent status by joining forces with the Pure Metal label. Unfortunately, this release also came with a below average poor thinly recorded sound quality.
In 1991 Xalt released their junior full-length album titled 'History' which was also released on the Pure Metal label. This third release was well produced and almost sounds like a different band. The shred by guitarist-James Eardman takes us into Power Metal territory coupled with plenty of 80's era noodling.
In 1997 Xalt released their fourth full-length album titled 'Helium Blue Gazebo'. This album finds the band trading in their Pure Metal label and going with the Kalubone Records label. With this release, the band strays from their original Metal roots and embraces a new sound that draws elements from the softer side of the 80's era and mixes them with the softer side of the Grunge scene. Actually this album is not bad if one is into 90's era Grunge/Rock with more leanings toward the Rock side.
In 2017 Xalt's 'Dark War' full-length release was reissued thanks to Retroactive Records. This reissue comes remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound, and released for the first time on two newer formats-CD as well as digital. Retroactive Records ups the anti by including six previously unreleased demo tracks which were recorded in preparation for their follow up 1990-'Under the Ruins' release. Just when you thought this package was too good to be true - Retroactive Records sweetens the deal by including a 12 page booklet/jewel case with lyrics, including six pages of detailed liner notes and reflections from Xalt’s elite guitarist-James Erdman. In order to rejuvenate this classic piece, the original cover art was reworked by Thrash renowned vocalist-Scott Waters(Ultimatum).
All of the band's lyrics from 1988-1997
are solid full-on for the Lord without coming across as preachy.
The following lyric is an example of what one will find in Xalt's lyrical work:
are solid full-on for the Lord without coming across as preachy.
The following lyric is an example of what one will find in Xalt's lyrical work:
"Ready For The Fight"
We’ve got our armor on
Ready for the fight
Swords held high
And ready to rip the night
Jesus is the Master and now
We have no need to fear
Satan is defeated
Through Christ we now see clear
As does “A Warrior’s Honor”:
Standing on the edge of a nightmare
Praying for the peace of a dream
Running towards the end of somewhere
But it’s not where it seems
Hanging on the edge of a lifetime
Who will you serve today?
Running from the gallows
A warrior’s honor betrayed
"Dark War"
Shadows fall on the mountain tops
The evil pray for falling rocks
The King has come
The Beast He’ll slay
The truth was always there
It never went’ away…
In the days of the Dark War
Heaven will descend on earth
The evil will curse the day of their birth
We're in the days of the dark war
The beast still roams the earth
Seeking whom he may devour
We’ve got our armor on
Ready for the fight
Swords held high
And ready to rip the night
Jesus is the Master and now
We have no need to fear
Satan is defeated
Through Christ we now see clear
As does “A Warrior’s Honor”:
Standing on the edge of a nightmare
Praying for the peace of a dream
Running towards the end of somewhere
But it’s not where it seems
Hanging on the edge of a lifetime
Who will you serve today?
Running from the gallows
A warrior’s honor betrayed
"Dark War"
Shadows fall on the mountain tops
The evil pray for falling rocks
The King has come
The Beast He’ll slay
The truth was always there
It never went’ away…
In the days of the Dark War
Heaven will descend on earth
The evil will curse the day of their birth
We're in the days of the dark war
The beast still roams the earth
Seeking whom he may devour
If I had to draw comparisons I would have to say that Xalt is similar to bands like Riot, Judas priest, Jerusalem or Messiah. This Reissue comes highly recommended to those into Classic Metal who want to add more quality 80's era Rock to their collection. To make purchases of Xalt's remastered 'Dark War' release click on one of the following site buttons:
Musicians:
Scott Doerfler-Vocals
James Eardman-Guitars & Keyboards
Steve David-Bass
Todd Gleason-Drums
Scott Doerfler-Vocals
James Eardman-Guitars & Keyboards
Steve David-Bass
Todd Gleason-Drums
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