Crystavox – Discography (3 CD) 1990 – 2010, mp3

Releasing two 80’s rock albums in 1990 and 1992, Chystavox personifies the glam rock sound of the late 1980’s but with a positive message of Jesus Christ,One of the toughest new metal bands to assault these old ears in many moons, Crystavox have in Adam Lee Kemp an outstanding lead vocalist who can shriek and rasp with just the right level of abandon while the songs like the throbbing mid tempo opener “Sacrifice” have a pumping power and some meaty drums. The effect is lost on the slower “Power Games” a song which meanders along with a decidedly weak chorus but “Wear It Out” with a relentless riff and great hook is a killer “Tough Boys” speak of a band who are comfortable Within the conventions of cranked-up guitars and wall-of-sound production values, Crystavox’ is a fine set while the lyrics too are a cut above standard spiritual warfare stuff. The album statement on the sleeve exhorts Christians to focus on the teachers not on the tools’. And.Their Next album was slicker, but on ‘The Bottom Line’ this young team, led by vocalist Adam Lee Kemp, clock in with a rawer, tougher sound. The problem is much of the material and approaches are outdated, sounding like a 1986 metal band rather than a 1991 one. There is a rather appealing ballad “No Boundaries” wedged in between all that hard rocking and riff-ing. But soon we’re back to over-predictable retreads,Crystavox rules! The first album is great – It’s Alright to Rock and Roll is a great song, in the vein of Great White or Cinderella. The ballad Home Again is also awesome, and the whole album really rocks.I’d say this is one of the best Christian CD’s I’ve heard yet. The heck with Stryper. I wish these guys put out more music, and I wish I would of became a Christian in the 10 years before I did so I could of seen these guys in concert. “All Around The World” is my favorite song from them. I like their follow up as well but this definately is the better one. I have been cranking this release in my house,The albumS on the whole is 80’s hair metal while the second album has a slightly heavier,darker guitar sound. Both are excellent and along with Rage Of Angels,The Brave – Battle Cries,Guardian – Fire and Love and Holy Soldier – Last Train areOne OF the best Christian Rock discs I have heard.Glad i found it “THE BOTTOM LINE” It’s Considered By Many Better than the debut, with a harder edge and crisper production. There are some nice hooks on here, nothing special, but nothing that makes you want to rip the CD out of the player and fling it against the wall either. Basically, this CD isn’t the bottom of the heap when it comes to Christian hard rock, but neither is it the cream of the crop. So often it seems to be approaching greatness, but something always holds it back, keeps it from crossing that invisible line and becoming a classic. A very good and very underrated cd! I would love to Have seen them in the day. The songwriting and arranging is exceptional. To Cephas: this sounds nothing like Bride. Sure, all rock is blues-based, but this cd is not Bluesy at all. Also, the vocal performance on this is over the top. I hope Adam is still singing somewhere ’cause he’s got the chops. Cheers to an oldies but a goodie.SO Crystavox debuted in 1990 with this self-titled release. The Christian band had a relatively heavy, very melodic, rock sound that was somewhere between Whitecross and Barren Cross, which I suppose means they sound like Dokken. There are some metallic aspects of the band’s sound, but they’re more a melodic rock band than anything else. Lyrically, Crystavox tends towards the more evangelical end of the spectrum. Unlike Stryper or Guardian, whose message was often open to interpretation, Crystavox is unambiguously Christian in nature, which has the potential to alienate any non-Christian rock fans who might otherwise enjoy the band’s sound. Sometimes you just don’t want a Sunday school lesson in the middle of your rock & roll songs. Crystavox issued one more album – 1992’s Bottom Line – before calling it quits. Their debut is a perfectly decent melodic rock album, but unless you’re a serious Christian rock collector, I wouldn’t recommend going out of your way to track it down

1990 – Crystavox (Regency)(320)
1992 – The Bottom Line (Ocean Records – 7018144698)(320)
2010 – The 20 Year Mix (Roxx)(320)

CREDIT:
Adam Lee Kemp- Vocals
Lorn Holmquist- Rhythm guitars, keyboards
Tony Lopez- Lead guitars
Fred Helm- Drums.

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