the Lighthouse
vol2#2  Shining Light on Today's Christian Music  February 1993

WHITECROSS
Aggressive, bold, and in-your-face.  That's Whitecross.  For the last 
seven years, the members of Whitecross have been playing their version 
of rock and roll music all over the nation.  The last five years have 
been a virtually non-stop road trip for the group spanning the globe.  
I had a chance to speak with Rex Carroll, lead guitarist and original 
member about the group.  Despite his aggressive guitar work, Rex is a 
surprisingly soft-spoken individual, in volume only.  What he saves in 
loudness he makes up for in boldness.
COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE GROUP?
"The group's actually been together seven yearsÐhard to believe for 
us.  We're all from Chicago.  We didn't play out too much.  We did our 
first recording in 1987.  That was WHITECROSS.  We have five albums 
from that time.  We played together (our first major break) at 
Cornerstone in 1987Ðthat was like a local gig for us.  It used to be 
twenty minutes from where we all lived.  So that was a big thrill for 
us at the time.  STEVE TAYLOR called and we opened for his tour in the 
spring of 1988.  That tour really launched us into being a full-time 
road band.  It just went from there.  [There] were so many invitations 
to do festivals and we were able to book a fall tour and the next 
thing you know, here we areÐfull time on the road.  We hadn't really 
planned on getting out there that quickly, but we did.  Then we just 
dove right in to our second album, HAMMER AND NAIL.  Then we did more 
touring.  We did some international dates.  There was a whole time 
frame in there from Spring of 1988 until Spring of 1990 [that] kind of 
went by in a blur for me.  It was like one big, gigantic road trip.  
Then we also did our third album, TRIUMPHANT RETURN.  We did some 
European tours in 1989 and in the fall of 1989 we went to Guatemala 
and our first experience with the third world.  We've been back to 
Guatemala and El Salvador and Nicaragua.  Then StarSong purchased the 
Pure Metal label and [we] became a StarSong artist.  We did IN THE 
KINGDOM for StarSong in 1991.  There was a Dove Award out of that for 
metal album.  TRIUMPHANT RETURN also received a metal album Dove 
Award.  This last year, in 1992 we did the most number of dates that 
we've ever done in a single year.  It's the biggest traveling road 
show that we've ever taken out.  In the summer of 1992 we did HIGH 
GEAR, which is our fifth album.  That brings us up to date on the 
particulars."
"There have been some personnel changes along the way.  I would just 
say that when we've had personnel changes, it's never been a situation 
where three guys [were] ganging up on one guy.  [We've] never had that 
type of situation.  People leave for various reasons, basically, God 
calling them into other ministries.  [We] have maintained friendship 
and contact with all the individuals over the years.  Mike Feighan has 
actually been in the band two years.  He's our drummer and backing 
vocalist.  Our newest guy has been in the group for one year.  Scott 
Harper is from Dallas and he's a wonderful bass player, vocalist, 
[and] keyboard player.  He brings a lot to the band, musically.  When 
we audition players for the band, first, we screen for A: 'Can they 
play music and can they play it well?'  So that's a given.  Then 
narrow the field down to the guys that can play.  After that, we get 
to the real test: 'Which of these guys [has] a heart for the Lord?  
Which of these guys is called by the Lord into being in a ministry 
such as ours?'  The guys that we have really love the Lord and there's 
a unity in the group.  We all want to serve the Lord and we want to 
lift Him up in the music and the concerts and we want to see young 
people making decisions to follow Jesus Christ.  Above that, we want 
to see them discipled.  We want to see kids making decisions to follow 
the Lord and then we want to see them growing in that decision and 
growing up into mature Christians.  That would be the microscopic 
picture of the band."
SO HOW LONG WILL THE "WHIRLWIND" WORLD TOURING LAST?
"It's starting to slow down a little.  Last year, 1992, was a big 
year.  It was also a hard year.  It seemed like we were just gone all 
the time.  A couple of us, myself and Scott Wenzel, have families.  In 
1993, we're going to do an extensive spring tour and we're going to do 
a fall tour.  In the mean-time, we're going to take three months off 
over the summer.  Which, as far as the public goes, it's like the band 
was never gone.  We're out there all spring, we're out there all fall, 
the new album, HIGH GEAR, is out there.  We're working on videos, so 
the band is going to be in your face, pretty much all year."
"Then, strategically looking ahead to 1994, all this Lord willing, 
we're going to do a new album for the spring of 1994.  We'll do some 
summer festival performances, and we'll hopefully plan a large fall 
tour with the biggest production yet for 1994.  I think, for the first 
half of 1994, we'll be away for a while.  I don't think that's a bad 
thing.  We've toured so extensively.  I see people now that approach 
us at a concert and say, 'Yeah, I've seen you guys a half a dozen 
times.'  That's wonderful.  I appreciate the loyalty and it's fun 
having a devoted audience like that, but at the same time, it gets to 
the point where, 'Okay, I've seen you guys this many times, what can 
you do that's new that we haven't seen already?  Give us a reason to 
keep coming back to the concert.'  I think giving it a rest for a 
while is a good thing."
"There's a lot of things that I've wanted to do.  Areas of producing 
some other artists that are coming up and Scotty, at the present, is 
working on a solo album.  He is interested in doing more laid back, 
he'd like to have an album that's a little more laid backÐmore 
ballads.  I'd like to get a chance to maybe do a solo album exploring 
the blues.  I've always been a sort of a closet blues freak.  I've 
wanted to do that for a while.  I've been talking about doing that for 
the last three years.  Taking a break would give us a chance to 
explore some of those other interests and keep all of our perspectives 
on the band healthy at the same time.  It's nothing for any of the 
fans to get worried about.  The commitment to being in Whitecross is 
there.  We've been touring for five years and 1993 is going to be a 
big year."
HIGH GEAR SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TO ME.  HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE 
THE EVOLUTION OF YOUR STYLE?
"At the very beginning of our band, back to the first appearance at 
Cornerstone in 1987, we had a major press conference at that one 
because people were all excited about the group back thenÐnew artist 
out of nowhere, it seemed like.  People asked, 'What is the sound of 
Whitecross?'  Back then, I said, 'Give us about 4 or 5 albums.'  We 
loved the metal sound, but there's a lot of other influences that I 
would like to draw from.  I would like to see the band grow up and 
mature and develop into its own sound.  I remember, even back then, 
saying 'Hang with us for four or five years and then ask the question 
again.'  I've wanted to experiment with bringing in blues influencesÐ
which we did on IN THE KINGDOM.  [Before], we would write a ballad 
just because it was like, 'You can't have 10 rock and roll songs in a 
row.  You have to stick one ballad in there to break things up.'  
Moving from that into what we've got on HIGH GEAR is we have one of my 
favorite songs, 'I'm Asking You Today.'  This is just an acoustic 
guitar, a cello, an oboe, and Scott [Wenzel].  It's the most tender 
exposed kind of thing that we've ever done.  I like it for what it is.  
It's from the heart and it's something that we wanted to do and the 
time was right to do it, and we did it.  At the same time, there's 
screaming rock and roll on the album.  When StarSong came on board, 
they also have thrown some things into the band and injected some 
things.  Dez Dickerson wrote the song 'In the Kingdom.'  For the new 
album, he wrote 'In America,' which sonically, is very similar to 'In 
the Kingdom.'  We're doing that and there's been some clunkers along 
the way...  I have wanted to get away from [the rock anthem which] 
lead to doing things like 'Holy War,' which, from a song-writing point 
of view, was a big success on IN THE KINGDOM, and 'Dancing in Heaven.'  
As far as conventional song writing formulas, it's way different.  
It's taking some chances, taking a risk every now and then as a 
songwriter, trying to push the band into exploring new territories.  
Looking ahead to the next album which would be the spring of 1994, 
that's a long way's off, but I would say maybe there's a good chance 
that we'll go back and it will have a more of a rock and roll sound 
like some of the earlier things that we used to do."
"I don't think we ever really were [a heavy metal band]Ðour influences 
are a little more diverse, I think."
I NOTICED STARSONG IS REALLY PUSHING HIGH GEAR.  IS THAT ENABLING YOU 
TO DO ANYTHING MORE THAN BEFORE?
"It all gets added into the pot.  I think [there are] two primary 
reasons the group has been successful, as much as we have.  Number 
one: we've been out touring and that makes people aware of the band 
and number two: because of the clear message of the lyrics with the 
altar calls at the concerts and being very clear about who we are.  
There's been a level of acceptance, within the church, that has maybe 
been denied to some of the other groups.  I think it's the two of 
those things working together that has allowed us to be successful to 
where we are.  Now, with StarSong helping out with marketing and 
taking care of the business types of things, that's going to help all 
the more.  There seems to be a growing recognition within the church 
that the group is a ministry band.  We certainly do appreciate all of 
it.  It just helps make our job a little easier."
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A GROUP OF CHRISTIAN PEOPLE THAT WERE COMING TO 
YOUR CONCERT ABOUT BRINGING UNSAVED FRIENDS?  HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE 
THEM?
"I would say, let's not forget, in all of this serious ministry talk, 
we like to have fun.  The concert is a lot of fun.  We have a state-
of-the-art computerized moving light show that we've never had before 
this year.  It's going to be unlike any other Christian event that 
you've ever seen.  The music is the best it's ever been.  The band is 
the best we've ever been.  So it they're a Whitecross fan anyway, this 
is one you're not going to want to miss.  The concert is fun, it's 
loud, it's rock and roll.  I say rock and roll, but it's all those 
other things too.  If you've got a friend who likes rock and roll, 
then they're going to love this concert.  There is no way that 
somebody is going to leave this concert without having seen a clear 
picture of who Jesus Christ is and an opportunity to do something 
about it.  Because we will present the Gospel and we will give people 
a chance to respond to the Gospel.  We always have counselors 
available at the concert to be with people if somebody makes a 
decision to follow Christ we have follow-up prepared for that in 
advance.  It's an excellent opportunity to have fun, lift up the Lord 
together, celebrate His love in our lives, and expose people who don't 
know who God is to expose them to all that and give them an 
opportunity to join the party."

Whitecross is devoted to ministering to kids more than anything.  Rex 
states, "we love doing the music, but what we really want to do is to 
do what Jesus did.  He ministered to people... that we would meet the 
needs of the people."  Lead singer, Scott Wenzel is quick to add that, 
"when we quit hearing of good reports of the fruit that Whitecross is 
able to produce through our Lord, that's when I quit.  I give up.  
That's the only reason I do this.  I love doing the music, but I have 
more of a desire to see kid's lives changed.  If I stop seeing that at 
any time, I'm through."
How do they summarize the main goal of this ministry?  Almost in 
unison, they respond "to exalt the Lord."
ÐJ. WARNER SODITUS

From the Editor
I hope your year is going well and that you have kept your New Year's 
resolutions.
Thanks to everyone who sent back the reader's survey forms.  As you 
can see, the year end favorites are listed, as well as the Top 20 
selling albums of 1992.  Congratulations to Tara Younce, her name was 
picked from the surveys returned to receive a pair of CD's.
Speaking of the surveys, I appreciate the comments.  I see that very 
few people were interested in the song lyrics, and they have gone.  I 
am seriously considering your suggestions to expand, but right now, 
it's not financially possible.  With the increase in printing costs 
and postage, I couldn't do it.  Hopefully, I can soon attract some 
advertisers to defray the cost, since I don't want to raise the 
subscription cost.  Several people commented that they liked the lack 
of advertising here.  Well, it's a trade-off.  Limited advertising 
means a compact information-packed magazine, but it limits the 
resources that I have available.  (For the record... my taxes aren't 
quite finished, but the bottom line looks like a net loss around $800 
for the nine months of operation last year).  I don't want to make a 
profit, but I want to keep relatively financially sound.  I always 
welcome your suggestions on these and other matters.
There are a lot of new releases scheduled this month.  Feel free to 
take a stab at writing a music review.  I welcome your submissions.  
Send for a copy of the writer's guidelinesÐthey'll help.  Also, to 
those who have written for guidelines: if you haven't received them by 
now, let me know.  The mail has been a little flaky around here.  Some 
things may have gotten lost.
Take care, drop a line... God Bless!
ÐJ. WARNER SODITUS, EDITOR

Executive Editor/Publisher: J. Warner Soditus
Copy Editors: Anne Daniels, Neal Guilmette
Contributing Photographer: Patty Masten
Contributors: Roger Appelinski, Beth Blinn, Bryan W. Brendley, Brad 
Mattern, Keith A. Valentine
Subscription Information:
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The Lighthouse is not for profit and is published monthly
Copyright: the Lighthouse copyright 1993 by Polarized Publications, 
all rights reserved
Writers guidelines are available upon request.
The Lighthouse will not be responsible for any products or services 
offered in advertisements.

HALO
For the past year and a half, Halo, a band of pop-rockers that hail 
from Alabama, has been gaining increasing attention from Christian 
radio.  Recently, Mike Graham, the group's drummer, took a few minutes 
to talk about HaloÐtheir past and their future.
Halo began in 1980, when Graham, who was fourteen at the time, was 
introduced to Scott Springer and Keith Mead.  The three decided to 
play together, despite the fact that Springer and Mead were seven 
years older than Graham.  Mead and Springer were both Christians, and 
made it clear to Graham that their interest was in pursuing Christian 
music.  Although he had some reservations, Graham agreed.
"I'd been playing in Southern Gospel bands since I was 12, for a 
couple of years," explains Graham.  "I really didn't want to do all 
Christian music, but I liked the kind of music that we were playing so 
I said sure.  I figured, I'd played [in] Southern Gospel bands and I 
wasn't a Christian, so I figured I could do this and not be a 
Christian."
Eventually, though, Graham realized that he needed God, and became a 
Christian on January 9, 1982.  At that point, all three members were 
focused on the same goal, and the group really began to take form.
For nine years, Halo played in various places around the South, mainly 
throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia.  At one point in 
their travels, they met Bob Hartman, guitarist and primary songwriter 
for Christian rock's most prominent band, PETRA.  For Halo, that 
meeting proved to be a turning point.
"He [Bob] really took an interest in our ministry," says Graham.  "He 
drove down from Nashville, took us out to dinner, and said he was 
really interested in what we were doing.  Bob just really gave of 
himself, I mean, every aspect of himself.  I can't say enough about 
how good of a man he is.  He just really took interest in our 
ministry.  He helped us, taught us more about song-writing, he 
provided us with equipment so we could have a decent P.A. system to go 
out and play... he's a man that's got a true heart after God."
In 1989, Springer felt he was being called to full-time ministry.  He 
wasn't sure exactly in what capacity, but felt very certain that was 
what God wanted.  At first, it looked like he was going to go to 
seminary and become a youth pastor.  About the same time, Bob Hartman 
called Graham and told him about John and Dino Elefante, the brothers 
who began Pakaderm records and were the producers of the last several 
Petra albums.  Halo had made a demo tape in Hartman's studio, and 
Hartman took it to the Elefantes.  Shortly afterward, Pakaderm offered 
a recording contract to Halo.
Halo has released two albums since joining up with Pakaderm, but it 
was their second, HEAVEN CALLING, that really started garnering 
attention among contemporary Christian music fans.  Comparisons to 
PETRA have been plentiful, but that is not surprising, given the 
influence of Hartman and the Elefantes.  Springer is the primary 
lyricist in the group, with Graham and John Elefante doing most of the 
music.  P. J. Marx has recently joined them as their new guitarist.
So, what's it like working with the celebrated Elefante brothers?  
"That's everybody's favorite question," laughs Graham.  "It's work!  
It's a lot of fun, a lot of frustration sometimes, when they're 
pushing you, and you don't think you can do it any better, and they 
keep pushing you until they get something better out of you.  It's 
hard work, but they're a lot of fun.  They love to cut-up and play."
Throughout their history, Halo has done a lot of touring.  A trip that 
had a big impact on them, though, was one they took to Guatemala over 
Christmas of 1991.  Graham explains, "Guatemala was a whole, 
different, unique experience.  I don't know if I've yet to come up 
with words to describe it...  You hear about the poverty in other 
countries, and I guess you sort of become numb to it.  But we were 
able to see it first hand.  The poverty is just devastating."
But, amongst the poverty, Halo found an openness to the Gospel.  "They 
are a Spanish-speaking country, and we couldn't really communicate 
with them except through the missionary that brought us there.  We 
went to a church service that Sunday, and it was really neat... 
there's an interest, there's a hunger for the Gospel.  Whereas, here 
in the United States, especially down here, where we live in the Bible 
belt, there's just a lot of rejection of the Gospel, because of the 
fall of the T.V. evangelists.  So many people see Christians, and see 
people who call themselves Christians, and when they fall, they think, 
'Well, I don't want any of that.'  People in the United States have 
sort of become hard against the Gospel.  But down there it was a whole 
different experience."
And, although the road can be hard, being away from families and home 
churches, there are definite rewards.  "My most memorable experience," 
remembers Graham "was when we played in a club in Evansville, Indiana.  
We'd played there before, in July of 1991.  We came back eight months 
later, something like that, and we played this little club again, and 
this girl came up, and she was just beaming.  I mean, you could just 
see Jesus all in her face.  And, we got to talking with her, and came 
to find out that she had gotten saved at our concert.  That was just 
the biggest blessing to me, seeing that someone had come to know the 
Lord through our concert, and being able to come back and see that 
they got rooted and grounded in the Word."
While Graham is very comfortable with the direction that Halo is 
going, musically and ministry-wise, he has an appreciation for fellow 
artists who feel a different calling.  "There is, of course, the big 
controversy, the big artists that have gone and have been successful 
in the secular market as well.  I've heard people criticize them, and 
you know, that's up to them [the artist], what God's wanting them to 
do.  Being a musician and an artist, it's so weird, because, if you 
work at a grocery store, you don't have threats of people saying, 
'Well, that's not a Christian grocery store.'  You know, it's just, 
you have a job.  But, in the music industry, it's a whole different 
ball game, which in a sense, it is the same thing, because you have a 
job.  To some people, it's more of a job, and not as much ministry.  
For us it's really ministry first, and that's the reason we do it, is 
to have an open doorÐto be able to share the Gospel with people.  But, 
as far as those other people, I say more power to them.  If they can 
make a difference, I pray that God will just continue to bless them.  
And I'll say this for AMY GRANTÐmy wife and I went to one of her 
concerts about a year or so ago... and it wasn't like one of our 
concerts, where you hear a lot of preaching, and a lot of sharing 
about the Gospel.  But, the few things she said, to me, were so 
powerful.  I really felt the Lord there.  I know that just by her 
concert, I could tell, at least the night that I was there, the Spirit 
of the Lord was definitely there.  She said some thingsÐshe didn't 
give an altar call, or give people an opportunity to accept Christ, 
but she shared with them, just real simple, about the Gospel, and it 
was a way that wouldn't intimidate people or scare them off... and I 
pray that she will continue to do that, and not get away from that."
Halo is currently working on their third album.  As of this interview, 
Springer was in California, laying down the vocal tracks at the 
Pakaderm studio.  The projected release is May or June.  No title, as 
of yet.
"We seem to always run to the last minute, trying to come up with a 
title.  Hopefully, in the next three weeks to a month, we'll have a 
title,"  Graham says.
ÐBETH BLINN

URGENT MUSIC GROUP
When he was a senior at The University of Texas, Phillip Sandifer was 
challenged by a friend who was discipling him: "Phillip, before you're 
through your senior year, I want you to consider going into music 
full-timeÐusing music as your evangelistic tool."  Phillip will tell 
you that he is "one who really doesn't jump into things until [he] 
know[s] at least a little bit about what it is."  So he took his 
senior year off and went to California to study the Christian music 
industry.
In 1984, after graduating from The University of Texas, Sandifer was 
offered a record deal with Sparrow records.  His manager, at the time, 
worked out a deal for the two of them to begin a new record labelÐ
Urgent Records.  When Sandifer and his ministry took over the company 
from his manager in 1988, the first change they made was the 
relocation of the company from California.  The move to Austin is part 
of what helped make Urgent Records unique.
Most of the record companies are situated in Nashville or in 
California, so this move was away from the industry, which would later 
be representative of the change in focus, also away from the industry.  
Sandifer feels that this has been one of the most challenging things 
Urgent Music Group has had to deal with.  He has read that the 
industry heads are concentrating on the business end of the industry 
and not the spiritual needs of the audiences.  "It just really struck 
me," shares Sandifer, "that this industry has gotten so unit focused 
and not ministry focused... Christian Music started because a group of 
musicians in the late 70's and early 80's had a talent and they said, 
'I'm a Christian and I've got this talent and I'm going to use it to 
reach people for Christ.'  They went and performed concerts and it was 
a real ministry driven industry... So when you start talking about 
units and market shares and increasing the market share, and the only 
thing you can do is that, you make the message more palatable.  When 
you start making the message more palatable, you start compromising 
the messageÐit's the true Gospel of Christ that's going to change 
people's lives, not a watered down version."
So when Sandifer has new artists looking at signing with one of the 
companies under the Urgent Music Group, he says that he's looking for 
"someone that's going to stand up on a soap box in the parking lot of 
our building and tell people about Jesus.  Because, if they don't have 
a desire to go and tell people about Christ, whether it be in our 
town, or in the music industry, having the willingness to go and do 
100-120 dates a year in other cities across the country, then they 
don't really fit into our [Urgent's] purpose very well.  Our purpose 
is to take the Gospel to the world and to do that, you've got to 
travel and to go to different towns and be willing to do that."  With 
a strong sense of dedication and commitment to Christ, Sandifer tells 
young hopefuls, they can go far, but it is getting "discovered" that 
sometimes stops young people from answering the call to music 
ministry.
Recently, some of the few who have answered this call and were 
willing to go and tell the world about Jesus went looking for a label 
to sign with.  When Sandifer saw the ministry-focus of these talented 
artists, he wanted them to sign with Urgent Records.  But, another 
thing that makes Urgent Music Group different is the fact that they 
are "label-identity" conscious.  Since Urgent Records is mostly adult-
contemporary and some of the new talent that they were looking to sign 
was alternative or inspirational, Sandifer and his team at Urgent 
Records had a dilemma.  The best answer they came up with has proven 
to be quite successful; Sandifer and his group decided, "Well, hey! 
Let's start a couple new labels to accommodate these people we really 
want to work with."  This was the beginning for Enclave Entertainment 
and Heart and Soul Music.
One of those artists to sign with Urgent Music Group was Mark Heard.  
Last summer, as Mark and Urgent Music Group were awaiting the release 
of his album, Mark was performing at Cornerstone Festival near 
Chicago, Illinois.  In the middle of his set Heard turned to a girl in 
the band and told her he thought he was having a heart attack.  The 
girl, naturally, thought he was joking-that it was just an expression.  
But after the concert, Heard came off stage and collapsed.  He really 
had been having a heart attack.  Heard was rushed to a hospital in 
Chicago where he was revived and given a full check-up.  Heard was 
eager to get back to California, but while he was waiting in a hotel 
room for his flight to California, he had a second heart attack and 
fell into a coma.  It was this heart attack that eventually killed 
Heard.  The hospital bills poured in and created an additional 
enormous burden for his family.  So Dan Russell, Mark's manager, put 
on several benefit concerts.  A radio special has been planned and is 
ready to go but the process is being slowed by the paper work that is 
involved in setting up the "900 number" for people to call to help 
with the fund-raising.
Something that has been weighing heavy on Sandifer's heart recently 
is "that we have all these problems in our society, such as parents 
that leave their kids at home [alone], problems with our education 
system, AIDS... If there ever was a time for Christian musicians to 
stand firm on a very clear message, it's now.  People, more than ever, 
need to hear the Gospel.  They don't need to hear a watered-down 
version of the Gospel, they need to hear the true Gospel of Jesus 
Christ.  [He] would encourage [everyone] to stand on that and not 
believe all the stuff that [we] hear.  What He cares about is people 
believing in the true Gospel."
ÐJennifer A. Howard
ED. NOTE:  ANYONE WISHING TO ASSIST THE HEARD FAMILY WITH THEIR BURDEN 
OF MEDICAL BILLS MAY SEND CONTRIBUTIONS TO: HEARD FAMILY FUND, P.O. 
BOX 197, MERRIMAC, MA  01860 OR CALL (508) 346-4577

SARDONYX
Sardonyx stands out as a unique Christian heavy metal band.  Having a 
full-time ministry behind the music in the form of an international 
metal magazine (Lightshine International Metal Mag) sets them apart 
from the pack.  They use their music to make contact with youth and 
show that they are truly concerned with them, which touches kids 
today, since many feel abandoned.
Tom Denlinger, the group's lead singer and spokesperson, describes 
the start of the band, "In March of 1988, drummer Michael Anthony and 
I met Charles Turner, Rod Feltman, and Tim Swarthout.  We formed 
Sardonyx under a rather unusual set of conditions.  We lived 7 hours 
apart from each other.  For the first two years of the band we would 
travel an average of 225 miles per weekend just to practice... Now we 
only live about 2 hours apart traveling approximately one hour to 
practice on Saturdays."  Swarthout has left the band and two members 
have joined: Kevin Bradley and Jeff King.
Most bands deal with bridging gaps between differing musical 
influences and styles, but usually this isn't too challenging for a 
metal bandÐright?  "We all have different backgrounds in music," 
states Denlinger, "differing from rock to classical to jazz to 
country."  Perhaps most important is that each member loves music and 
sees a need to reach out to youth.
"When I was a youth leader, I realized the need to reach a segment 
of youth that the church had no strategy to reach.  Metal is probably 
the most powerful style of music to teach Biblical truth.  I've seen 
the style manipulate young minds negatively for years and desired to 
reverse the pattern.  Today we use metal to show the awesome power and 
majesty of God in order for this metal subculture to realize the need 
they have to give their lives to Him."
Denlinger continues, "Christian young people see the shortcomings 
of their local church in reaching a lot of their friends who love 
heavy metal.  The result is they get frustrated and either leave their 
church or develop a very bitter attitude.  We become the role model 
for them to learn to adopt a significant Christian life that deals 
with issues they face.  We have become an arm of the Body of Christ... 
a catalyst for the local church.  Again and again, we get letters 
telling us how our bold witness had encouraged them to stand strong 
personally."
Naturally, some conservative Christians may not understand what the 
band is doing (or for that matter, Christian music is doing).  
Sardonyx, through their non-profit Lightshine International 
Ministries, consider themselves musical missionaries.  Denlinger 
explains, "A wise believer in Jesus Christ will understand me when I 
say that I am a 'cross-cultural missionary.'  A missionary is someone 
who takes a message to another people group in order to evangelize to 
them.  Often times, his local church has no idea how to deal with the 
problems he faces.  Therefore, they stand behind him as their 
representative with prayer and financial support."
"The unsaved metal head gets fed the propaganda of Satan and 
someone has to challenge him with Biblical truth.  At first, they 
react harshly because they picture us as the typical middle class 
American church leader.  But after they hear our music, or hear that 
we give good answers to their questions, they realize we are friends 
and [they] choose to listen more openly."
Of course, all of this works.  Denlinger shares, "I've reached the 
people through this ministry that I wouldn't have ever even been able 
to talk to when I was in Bible college with my short hair and suit."
Speaking of the hairÐis it really necessary?  Christians everywhere 
debate this topic, but, for Sardonyx, it's just a tool.  "I call my 
long hair and metal look 'camouflage,'" relates Denlinger.  "It gets 
me in.  After that, it's not importantÐthey get to know me for who I 
am and we get right to the issues.  [The] problem is, I'm always in 
building mode, so the hair is vital to my ministry.  To be honest, 
long hair gets to be a pain though, especially in the summer.  But I'd 
never cut it off for my comfort alone.  I like my hair, especially 
when I know it can accelerate a witnessing opportunity."
The band wouldn't debate that their work is a challenge.  A major 
challenge for them is not living close enough to each other to spend 
quality time together.  But, as they face this and other challenges, 
the reassuring times are not too far away.  Denlinger explains, "Every 
once in a while you really experience God's anointing.  One time, we 
were getting ready to do a show at a youth center and the director 
there told us not to get discouraged if the audience is rude and 
inattentive.  Most of them were unsaved and some of them were going to 
walk out or mock us if we spoke at allÐat least that's what he 
thought.  During our first tune, I remember praying with my back to 
the audience and I felt very weak.  I frankly had no idea what to say 
or how long [to speak].  Suddenly, God spoke to me in my spirit and 
said, 'You do your job and I'll do mine.'  An incredible amount of 
boldness and clarity of thought overwhelmed me as I talked at the 
first break.  That night, we were on stage two and one half hours and 
we played approximately one and a half.  The director of the youth 
center was amazed because he never saw those kids sit through so much 
teaching before.  It was a very obvious working of God.  Whenever that 
happens, we are convinced that we have His favor."
So what's on the hearts, specifically, of the band right now?  
Christian kids are "becoming like their parents," states Denlinger.  
"Spiritually, very carnal and apathetic.  Christian kids need to see 
role models that live a powerful Christian life... not just say they 
do.  This ministry is designed to set a higher standard for living a 
bold and significant existence for Jesus.  Unless you decided to break 
the chains of your past and become a new creation through Jesus, you 
will never see your potential as a woman or man of God.  This is not 
about metal.  This is about changing our world."
Since you've probably been wondering what, exactly, Sardonyx means.  
"Sardonyx," shares Denlinger, "is a precious stone that decorates the 
fifth foundation of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20).  Our work is 
important and significant to God but is only a small part of His huge 
foundation."
ÐJ. WARNER SODITUS

ED. NOTE:  FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHTSHINE INTERNATIONAL 
MINISTRIES, YOU MAY WRITE TO: LIGHTSHINE, P.O. BOX 456, PARADISE, PA 
17562

MUSIC REVIEWS

Whitecross: HIGH GEAR (StarSong)
One of the all time leaders in Christian music is back with a new 
ground breaking album.  This album is a big improvement since IN THE 
KINGDOM.  The only problem with their music is they get lighter, and 
lighter every album.  I mean 4 ballads is enough to kill most "metal 
heads."
The album starts off with "High Gear," which is a straight-up "kick 
you in the face" metal song.  "Dancin' In Heaven," points out that the 
Bible doesn't say that dancing is wrongÐafter all David danced naked 
before the Lord.  "In America" is next, the first of four ballads, and 
really cranks, the only problem is sounds too much like "In The 
Kingdom."
Rex Carroll's new guitar solo, "Overdrive," comes up next.  It's 
not his greatest since the whole song sounds the same way.  Next album 
they should go for a solo from Michael Feighan so I won't have to skip 
a song.  "Without Your Love," is a strong power ballad with some 
crunch behind it.  
"Coming Home" is up nextÐanother ballad.  This tune grows on me the 
more I listen to it.  "My Love" is the most beautiful song I have ever 
heard.  This song could climb up the top-40 if it were released in 
that market.
"I'm Askin' You Today" is another ballad and probably the lightest 
of all, with violins and everything!
"Gonna Keep On" is a very powerful song musically and lyrically: 
"I'm gonna keep on/Trustin' in God's son/Lord I need you."  "I Shout" 
is a song about praising the Lord.  They have a great lyrical approach 
on this song, but the music is dull.  The last song on the album, 
"Long Road To Walk," a pretty good rocker.
Overall this is a good album and is worth having for hard 
rock/metal fans.  The album has its ups and downs but it's a solid 
project.
ÐBRAD MATTERN

Hokus Pick Manouver: PICK IT UP (Word Canada)
Now, here is a band that likes to have a lot of fun.  In fact, they 
like to have so much fun that I don't think that they could quite 
decide on what style of music to play.  PICK IT UP contains so many 
styles of music that if you asked me to describe what style this band 
is, I would have a hard time putting a label on it.
This album has everything from "beefed-up" later 60's sounds (I 
thought I heard the DOORS in there), late 70's southern rock sounds, 
folk tendencies, dance themes, and even Irish tunes and loony tunes.  
Alright, to sum it upÐthe band is rock.  I guess I'm just not used to 
hearing such a wide range of rock influences on one album.
If I had to compare Hokus Pick Manouver to other Christian bands, I 
would probably say that their style is a cross between JACOB'S TROUBLE 
(yet not so jangly), THE STAND, and (very little) THE NEWSBOYS.  
Granted, these are probably bad comparisons, but this is a really hard 
album to categorize.  Hokus Pick Manouver is not bad, but their 
inexperience shows.  Musically, they display talent, however Russ 
Smith's lead vocals are not very impressive.  They carry with them an 
immaturity which lacks clarity, but I believe this falls upon the 
inexperience of the band.
Lyrically, Hokus Pick Manouver is strong though subtle.  With songs 
cleverly titled "I.B.I.J.I.T.O.F.W." and "I.G.Y.F.T.C.H." ("I Believe 
In Jesus In The Old Fashioned Way" and "If God's Your Father Then Call 
Home" respectively) they take their stand for Christ and make His 
message known.  I enjoyed their music, but as each song in its own 
right.  It was hard for me to put it all together and accept it as 
coming from one group.  Maybe I'm just a stick in the mud.  After all, 
variety is the spice of life, and if you like this spice, give Hokus 
Pick Manouver a listen.
ÐKEITH A. VALENTINE

Rose: HEALING (Intense)
HEALING is the second project of (Randy) Rose, one half of the 
critically acclaimed brotherly duo of MAD AT THE WORLD. Rose explores 
more of a grunge rock sound, as opposed to the more modern rock that 
he and brother ROGER pursue as the aforementioned group.  
This album is something of a downerÐmusically and lyrically.  It 
explores some of the darker aspects of being human and being a 
Christian, although it is not without its moments of hope.  With 
titles like "D.O.P." (Depression, Oppression, Possession) and "Seeds 
of Sorrow," Rose tackles some subjects and feelings that many 
Christians generally try to forget or ignore.  It's somewhat 
refreshing to see an artist willing to tackle some generally unpopular 
topics.
The best cuts are "Healing" (one of the more hopeful songs), 
"Hooked," and the previously mentioned "D.O.P."  Rose is solidly 
backed by Steve Kumada and Ben Jacobs on guitar, Mike Link on bass, 
and Don Richert on drums.
If you are interested in what is becoming known as the "Seattle 
Sound," as popularized in the secular market by NIRVANA, PEARL JAM and 
othersÐcheck this one out.  But make sure you are prepared for some 
heavy listening, musically and lyrically.
ÐBETH BLINN

Godsent Humans: LIBERTY OR DEATH (New Breed)
Godsent Humans is George Everman (lead vocals), Tony Aguon (guitars 
& vocals), Biker James Rasmussen (bass & vocals), and Greg Baker 
(drums).  Their release LIBERTY OR DEATH is a powerful new heavy metal 
monster.  Through their lyrics and musical arrangements, they paint a 
picture of the death which will befall those who do not choose the 
liberty and eternal life offered through Christ's redemption.
With the use of repetitive and sometimes even morbid bass lines, 
voice distortion, and guitar riffs (which are at times monotonous and 
other times changing from one lick to another without warning), 
Godsent Humans shows what kind of confusion there will be in the last 
days.  I believe this also describes the struggle that goes on in many 
of us.  Although it is not a pretty picture that they paint, it is one 
of truth.  Many times our lives are filled with darkness and despair.  
It may seem that as we look around ourselves we see nothing but trash 
and filthy garbageÐthe dirt of our sins.  There is only one way that 
we can be cleansed of thisÐthrough Christ.
Admittedly, the lyrics on LIBERTY OR DEATH are not as strong or 
blatant as some conservatives may like, but this is heavy metal.  They 
don't try to hide anything, they just describe it as they interpret 
the Scripture's accounts of the last days.  As I said, the picture 
they paint can be morose and their lyrics are sometimes quite 
explicit, but check out in your Bibles in Revelation and see for 
yourself the damnation the nonbeliever is going to experience.
I must confess that I am not as much of a metal or thrash listener 
as some of you may be, but my experience tells me that Godsent Humans 
makes good use of the techniques they have chosen and the abilities 
they have to minister to those who need it most.
ÐKEITH A. VALENTINE

Bride: SNAKES IN THE PLAYGROUND (StarSong)
SNAKES IN THE PLAYGROUND  puts out some kick-butt musicÐthe band 
gets better every album.  Dale sounds so much like AXL ROSE of GUN'S 
N' ROSES.  
The album starts off with one of the best tracks, "Rattlesnake."  
The song is about how evil hides in little cracks, and comes out when 
nobody's expecting it, and if you don't have God they'll get you.  
"Would You Die For Me" is next, it's one of the slower songsÐbut not 
too slow.
"Psychedelic Super Jesus" is another great song.  What they're 
singing might sound a little blasphemous at times, but they've got a 
point to it.  What they're talking about is an underground band they 
know, that is always dissin' God like He's nothing.  The song has a 
power crunch and you'll learn the lyrics in no time.
"Saltriver Shuffle" is a short, funny song.  Guest guitarist Greg 
Martin of THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS plays a little bit of country, and 
right when you're starting to get into it, out comes a screaming NOT 
from your speakers.
Another scorching tune is "Dust Through A Fan."  It's a true metal 
song.  The song is a sad song, though, about people selling their body 
into sexual sinÐ"Sold their souls for sex and greed in the bathroom in 
the back."
"I Miss The Rain" is a beautiful ballad that looks at people who 
have lost a loved one, and tells them that God is the only one who can 
erase all the pain that has been haunting them.
"Don't Use Me" is a pretty heavy song, vaguely reminiscent of 
NIRVANA.  This song has some pretty hard core lyrics just like all of 
Bride's songs.  This time they're tackling the drug abuse problem.  As 
you can tell this band knows a lot about problems on the street, it 
would be nice to see this band get pushed into the secular market.
ÐBRAD MATTERN

Lanny Cordola: OF RIFFS AND SYMPHONIES (ERG)
For fans of guitar music, Lanny Cordola's latest release, OF RIFFS 
AND SYMPHONIES, is not to be missed.  With cuts that are stylistically 
all over the musical spectrum, Cordola displays his versatility.  From 
jazz to funk to hard rock to Latin-flavored acoustic, this album gives 
evidence that Cordola is a major talent.
While I really enjoyed his last disc, ELECTRIC WARRIOR, ACOUSTIC 
SAINT, (his version of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" is a personal 
favorite), this album has more of a "whole" feeling to it, as 
stylistically diverse as it is.  The songs flow well into each other 
and Cordola's songwriting skills have grown.  The diversity, no doubt, 
flows from his influences, which he lists in the liner notes.  They 
range from ERIC CLAPTON to STEVIE RAY VAUGHN to PAT METHENY to JOHANN 
SEBASTIAN BACH.  
Most of the cuts are instrumental, but four tracks feature 
different vocalists, their voices matched to the style of the song.  
Especially effective are Jon Gibson on "Won't Be Long to Paradise" and 
James Christian on "The Revelation."
My favorites were the Spanish/acoustic "YV," the hard rocking "The 
Obstinate Toy Soldiers," and "Lo I Will Be With You Always," which 
also featured Darrell Mansfield on harmonica.
This is a must-have for any guitar fan.
ÐBETH BLINN

Tom McCain: TOM MCCAIN (Urgent)
I have really struggled with figuring out how to describe Tom 
McCain's debut album.  Because, I really like it and I don't want to 
sound critical, but the best word I could come up with was, well, 
simple.
Quick!  before you quit reading, that's a real compliment.  When 
most music these days is packing layers on top of layers on top of... 
well, some gets a little thick.  Tom has taken us back to some of the 
basics with great songwriting (he wrote or co-wrote on all), excellent 
lead and background vocals, and enough instrumentation to set the 
project in motion.  The players are familiar names, too: Tom Hemby 
(guitars), Mark Hammond (drums), Gary Lunn (bass), and Brian Green 
(keyboards).
It's not an album that jumps out and grabs you right away (except 
for "Mary Don't You Cry" and "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To").  
It is on the subtle side, yet the songs are provoking when you listen 
more intently.  I found it easy to put in the background and listen 
for five or six runs through.  But, unfortunately, the album is a 
little short with only nine songs, but I think it makes up for it in 
content.
It's sort of Stephen Curtis Chapman-Susan Ashton-ish songwriting 
and country-influenced contemporary sound.  It's very enjoyable.  
Tom's got potential for even more in the future.
ÐROGER APPELINSKI

Sacrament: HAUNTS OF VIOLENCE (R.E.X.)
I am excited about the latest Sacrament album, HAUNTS OF VIOLENCE.  
Unfortunately, it's not as heavy as their previous workÐit shows the 
loss of Mike Terrone.  Their TESTIMONY OF APOCALYPSE is much better, 
and more into the grind/core scene.  But this will be a big hit for 
thrash fans.
Their album starts of with "Haunts Of Violence."  What can I say?  
It sounds cool, and the lyrics have to do with God being the answer to 
what the world's likeÐall the evil, violence, and profanity.  Song two 
is "Carry The Corpse."  The intro sounds a lot like METALLICA.  The 
guitar solo cranks out the power of Mike Didonato, and shows his 
incredible talent on the guitar.
"Seared Consciences" has some great vocal effects in the beginning, 
but they unfortunately drop back to his regular vocals.  While 
Sacrament remains an excellent band, the album gets a little boringÐ
it's too similar.
Sacrament also offers a bible study on all their songs.  So if your 
mom complains about the music, you can prove that it's Godly.
ÐBRAD MATTERN

Liaison: HARD HITTER (Frontline)
Larry and Tim Melby, a.k.a. Liaison, have finally cranked it up 
with their HARD HITTER.  Their hard rock metal wanna-be style comes 
through loud and clear on this album.
Along with numerous guest guitar riffs (Oz Fox, Lanny Cordola, and 
Tony Palacious) is a heavy bass rhythm that even ventures into the 
blues in "Steal, Kill, and Destroy."  Apart from the blues diversion, 
they might be described as METALLICA vocals meet WHITECROSS guitar 
riffs meet RICK CUA'S early bass work.  Suffice it to say, it's hard 
rock with metalish guitar work.
Their ballads are even a little harder than previous ones.  No more 
songs like "Go and Sin No More."  These won't get any AC airplay, 
they're too hard and the vocals are too rough.
Not only is the music aggressive, but the lyrics are in-your-face 
as well.  They cover the range of Christian life from praise ("My God 
is a Rock") to sin ("Whatsoever U Sow") to forgiveness from sin ("As 
Far as the East is From the West").
It's a solid package that should please hard rock fans.  The album 
is a HARD HITTER.
ÐROGER APPELINSKI

Living Sacrifice: NONEXISTENT (R.E.X.)
Are you ready to DIE?  The brutal new sound of Living Sacrifice is 
totally mind blowing.  The vocals are so hard to understand, D.J. 
sounds like a monster from hell dying.  As the album starts with 
"Emerge," you wouldn't think this album was so heavy, it starts off 
with an acoustic intro, like a lot of the other songs.
"Haven Of Blasphemy," is a totally killer track.  It comes off of 
their EP NOT YIELDING TO UNGODLY.  Although the original was better, 
this is still good.  "Chemical Straightjacket" is a song about drug 
abuse.  D.J. says "I've had a few friends and have seen a few things 
that have influenced me about the use of heroin and how it really 
destroys people's lives."
If you're a die hard metal fan, this album must be added to your 
collection.  I'm not gonna take the time to review all the songsÐthey 
all sound awesome.
ÐBRAD MATTTERN