life, and a little more

Iron Maiden versus Barren Cross

Oct 18

metalman777Christianity, audio, music, videos barren cross, christian metal, iron maiden, metal, music, rock 3 Comments

If I had to nail down the most bestest metal band in the world, I’d have to give the title to Iron Maiden.  They’ve sold over a 100 million records, have the best vocalist and bassist ever, and just generally kick major butt.

As I posted in a previous blog entry, I never listened to Iron Maiden as a teen.  What I did listen to as a young Christian was the clean, “non-satanic” alternative,  Barren Cross.

I do have a very special place for Barren Cross in my heart.  My very first metal concert ever was in Fresno, CA, and headlining was BC!!  Well, headlining is a slight misnomer, as they were the only ones playing, and it was in a small church.  But they rocked my face off!  (I still cringe with embarrassment as I remember my mom talking to the lead singer after the show.  She told him to cut his hair!)

Remember, I didn’t listen to Iron Maiden, but my friends kept saying that BC sure sounded a lot like them.  Years later, I was listening to the local rock radio station and I heard a song that I swore was Barren Cross.  I thought to myself, how cool, playing some old Christian metal!  The DJ then announced they had played an Iron Maiden song.  I couldn’t believe at how similar they sounded!

That was the day I went and got the entire Iron Maiden discography and Iron Maiden became my favorite metal band ever!

Is it really possible to duplicate Bruce Dickinson’s soaring vocals and Steve Harris’ galloping bass lines?  Mike Lee and Jim LaVerde come as close as your going to get.  You take a listen below.

[audio=http://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/07%20Powerslave.mp3?w=c40494b2]

Iron Maiden – Powerslave

Powerslave was Iron Maiden’s fifth studio album and it was released in 1984.  The two most notable songs that are always garner airtime are Aces High and 2 Minutes to Midnight.

[audio=http://dl-web.getdropbox.com/get/Music/10%20Two%20Thousand%20Years.mp3?w=432043b3]

Barren Cross – 2000 Years

State of Control was Barren Cross’ third album and was released in 1989.  It is a very well produced and is still one of my favorites!

So, do you think Barren Cross sounds a lot like Iron Maiden?  If you need another listen, here are two different videos I found on youtube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLvBwPOjZWI]

Iron Maiden’s Can I Play With Madness

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWYP64ip3Y]

Barren Cross’ Imaginary Music

House of Heroes – The End Is Not The End

Sep 24

metalman777music, videos christian rock, House of Heroes, music, rock No Comments

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House of Heroes released a new album this week and it is awesome!  House of Heroes plays music that is very creative and the mix of this CD is incredible.  A few reviews I’ve seen label them an “indie” band, but I have to disagree.  They just play some great rock and roll.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbiX-qxpCvo]

Truly a Revelation!

Jul 29

metalman777music christian rock, music, rock, third day No Comments

Third Day released their ninth studio album entitled Revelation.  Third Day has been around a good while, and they have always created some good southern tinged rock and roll.  I have very low expectations for Christian music as it tends to be stale and boring.  Third Day breaks that mold with Revelation.  The production is excellent!

You could honestly put this album in a playlist with The Black Crowe’s Warpaint and Tom Petty’s recently re-released Mudcrutch and Revelation would hold it’s own.

This entire album is excellent.  Every song is awesome!  This Is Who I Am starts it off with a great old southern rock swagger.  When I first heard the song Otherside, I could have sworn it was Lenny Kravitz!  By the time you get to Give Love, you are jammin’ to some bluesy/bluegrass melodies.

Third Day has released a phenomenal album in Revelation.  Their faith is well presented in the songs without being preachy and the music is of outstanding quality.