In 1985 speed metal band Deliverance was formed in
California, fronted by Jimmy P. Brown II.
In 1987 they contributed two songs to the compilation album CALIFORNIA
METAL. Other artists on that album
included Guardian and Neon Cross. In
1989 Deliverance released their self-titled debut album. It included such songs as: ‘No Time’, ‘If You
Will’, ‘The Call’, and ‘Jehovah Jireh’.
In 1990 the band released their most loved project ever to this day by
many, WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE (Intense Records).
Members were: Jimmy P. Brown II (vocals, guitar), George Ochoa (lead and
acoustic guitar), Brian Khairullah (bass), and Chris Hyde (drums). Ochoa served as producer.
The opening track ‘Supplication’ doesn’t hit the two minute
mark, but it’s a good one. It includes
these spoken words: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal/But mighty
through God to the pulling down of strongholds.../And bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ”.
A nice acoustic, then electric guitar piece follows. ‘This Present Darkness’ rocks hard and urges
us to be spiritually alert: “Mighty are the weapons of God to combat this
present darkness/Satan’s plan, complacency/Knowing not the fight for your
soul/Don’t believe his lies, just unveil your eyes/Through prayer bring down
the strongholds”.
Next up is the title track, ‘Weapons of Our Warfare’, which
is one of my all time favorite Christian metal songs. The video got airplay on MTV. The song pulsates from beginning to end. It begins with a warning: “Imaginations
running wild/Innocent they seem/Polluting your mind/A formulated scheme/The
battle it starts in your mind/A lesson to be learned/Provoking thoughts only
cause the sin that provoking thoughts have earned”. The song goes on to advise: “To take dominion
over Satan’s own ground/Rise up with the sword of God and put your armor
on”. ‘Solitude’ is fast and heavy and
Jimmy again screams in falsetto when appropriate. The song stresses the importance of the
Bible: “A man’s fear is crushed when thoughts recall words heard so long
ago/Search for an answer/A holy book upon a shelf/Words cutting deep
inside/Speaks to my heart and to my soul.../I don’t have to be alone/No more
solitude”.
The next track, ‘Flesh and Blood’, is the longest at about
seven and a half minutes. It’s
blistering metal with bold lyrics: “This war is not for wimps, the emaciated,
or the weak/It’s for those who bear their cross and believe the power of Jesus’
Name/Christianity, a reality/It’s a fight to let you know about a Man who gave
His flesh and blood/To save your hellbound soul”. ‘Bought By Blood’ begins with a warning: “The
seductress that flatters with her tongue/Don’t be led astray by her deceit/Many
are the victims she’s cast down/All her slain are a mighty host/Her house is
the way to hell”. The song goes on to
remind us of our value to God: “You’ve been paid for at a price/You’ve been
bought by blood/The precious blood of Christ”.
‘23’ is a slower metal song based on David’s most famous
Psalm: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death/I will fear no
evil/You are with me/Your rod and staff/They comfort me/You are with me/Oh
Lord”. ‘Slay the Wicked’ sizzles in fine
metal fashion and empowers us: “Release the power/Not ours, not angels’/But
God’s above/This is the hour/Demons your fate is sealed/Slay the
wicked.../Resist the devil and he will flee from you/Don’t give place to his
lies/Not being ignorant of any devices/Submit to God/Be a vicar of Christ”.
‘Greetings of Death’ is a headbanger with awesome electric
guitar work and a serious message: “It has been appointed once for a man to
die/But after this the judgment/Once the appointment has been made/Nothing can
be done to change it.../Are you afraid to die?”
Last up is the energetic ‘If We Faint Not’. It encourages the weary: “Life just seems so
much harder/All the battles day by day/That’s when we must stand up and be
bold, be bold!/So let us not grow weary in doing what is right/God shall renew
our strength to fight someway/Remember, we reap what we sow/Flesh sows corruption/Spirit
everlasting life/It’s yours/We shall reap/If we faint not”.
In order for this album to make any sense, one has to
believe that there is a Creator God who has a wonderful plan for our lives and
who wants us to spend eternity in heaven with Him. One also has to believe that there is an evil
Devil who wants to draw us away from God, destroy our lives, and wants us to
spend eternity in hell with him.
Furthermore, one has to believe in the events of Easter-the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. God
ultimately defeated Satan on our behalf.
In the meantime though, there is a battle going on for each individual
human soul. We must not be passive, but
active participants in spiritual warfare.
Prayer, reading the Word, and putting on the armor of God (Ephesians
6:10-18) are vital weapons in our battle to draw nearer to God and away from
the devil’s schemes. We can live happy,
victorious spiritual lives on planet earth as long as we answer the devil’s
lies with God’s truths and accept the salvation Christ offers us. On WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE these Christian
messages are delivered via speed and thrash metal music, so granted, it won’t
appeal to the masses. That being said,
those who enjoy bands like Vengeance Rising and Tourniquet will enjoy this
album that is very lively. I’m rating it
95%. For more info connect with
Deliverance or Jimmy P Brown II on Facebook.