The Christian metal band Whitecross formed in 1985 in Illinois. They released their self-titled debut album in 1987. What I am reviewing here is a re-recording of it called NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN GOLD EDITION. It omits the ballad 'You're Mine', but tags on three bonus cuts. It was released in 2015 by Retroactive Records. Scott Wenzel sings lead, Rex Carroll plays guitars, Michael Feighan plays drums, while Rex and Antonio Acevedo play bass.
Starting things off is the metal tune 'Who Will You Follow' which encourages us to be wise when it comes to our spiritual lives: "Who will you follow/Satan or the Author of life?/Jesus paid the price/God made the sacrifice for you.../Day by day you are making a choice/Listening to someone's voice/Will you be defiled or be God's child?" 'Enough is Enough' is about making the choice to live sold out to God: "I can't pretend to walk in the Light/While all the while, I live for the night.../Enough 'nuff, enough is enough/No more foolin' with compromise".
'He is the Rock' keeps the metal going strong. It speaks of spiritual warfare: "There is a way that seems right to a man/That many have traveled before/You must choose between the jaws of hell/Or find life through the narrow door/He is the Rock (3X)/On which I stand". 'Lookin' For A Reason' points directly to Christ: "I know the Way, yes I do/His loving arms, oh, they are reaching out to you/He knocks at your heart's door/He longs to come in/And when He forgives/He forgives all your sin".
'No Way I'm Goin' Down' calls out the devil: "Heard you callin', yeah, you hypnotized/Had me going with your big disguise/You thought I'd never get wise/It's no wonder they call you the father of lies". 'Seein' is Believin'' is a hard rock song that includes these words from a seeker: "Still I'm wandering around in a daze/Can't seem to find my way out of this haze/This old world's a merry go round/Won't someone show me to solid ground?"
Next up is the metal sizzler 'All I Need' which looks ahead to the future: "Now I live each day for Jesus/For soon He will return/He's bringing His reward with Him/And Satan, he's going to burn/We will all stand before Him/On the judgment day/He promised that He will defend us/He'll carry us all away". 'Nagasake' is an awesome electric guitar instrumental by Rex Carroll!
'Signs of the End' offers advice we all should heed: "You can't wait/Don't hesitate to find your place in life/You weren't put here on this earth to live your days in strife/You've got to realize this world will fall away/But God sent His Son, the Word, to guide you on your way". 'Love on the Line' was the title track of the band's 1988 ep and runs over six minutes long. This metal ballad offers hope: "Jesus carried your sorrows and your grief He has known/His love for you has no limits/He wants to call you His own/So reach out for love on the line/Reach out for love on the line". 'Re:Animate' is a fun, playful instrumental. The bonus cut 'Angel's Wing' is a cool electric guitar solo. This is followed by some short studio outtakes.
NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN depicts a spiritual world that is black and white. Each person on earth has an important decision to make. Will he or she live for God or for the devil? God is life and love, while Satan is a liar and deceiver who wants us to die a second death. Following God leads to heaven, while living for the devil and rejecting Jesus leads to hell. Living for God on this planet also brings one peace and comfort in the midst of trials. Living for the devil brings confusion. The musicianship and lead vocals are top quality here. For more info connect with the band and its members on social media. I'm rating this project 96%.