State of Control

Track Listings

1. State of Control

2. Out of Time

3. Cryin' Over You

4. Face in the Dark

5. Stage of Intensity

6. Hard Lies

7. Inner War

8. Love at Full Volume

9. Bigotry Man (Who Are You)

10. Two Thousand Years

11. Your Loves Gives

Tracks:

State Of Control
Out Of Time
Cryin' Over You
A Face In The Dark
The Stage Of Intensity
Hard Lies
Inner War
Love At Full Volume
Bigotry Man (Who Are You)
Two Thousand Years
Your Love Gives

Customer Reviews:

Powerful Metal.......2007-05-12

Released in 1989, State of Control was the third, (and in my opinion the most professional) studio album by Christian metallers Barren Cross. If Stryper gave the faithful a righteous alternative to Bon Jovi and Dokken, Barren Cross's blazing guitars and Dickenson-esque vocals were a "gift from above" for metalheads who preferred Iron Maiden and Dio's heavier approach. Besides, there's just something appealing about a band of earnest Christians who drew such obvious influence from albums like Holy Diver and The Number of the Beast.

Barren Cross was in top form on this album. Everything about State of Control is first rate. Ray Parris just blazes away on the guitar throughout the album, the perfect counterpoint to Mike Lee's soaring vocals. The songwriting is intense and powerful, and the production quality is excellent. This album really showcases Barren Cross at their very best. The band does temper their metal assault with a remarkably good ballad (Cryin' Over You) that puts plenty of Hollywood hair bands to shame, and a straightforward love song (Love at Full Volume) that has little or no religious context, but in the main this is another signature Barren Cross power metal album with an unapologetically righteous message.

One of Barren Cross's best attributes is that they are viewed above all as a very talented metal band. You didn't have to subscribe to their faith to enjoy their music. Any time this band comes up in conversation, even the most jaded metal fan has to admit a grudging respect for Barren Cross's music, if not a real appreciation.

State of Control is an extremely strong metal album that anyone who enjoys bands like Iron Maiden, Dio, Judas Priest, and Armored Saint would do well to check out. It goes without saying that this is a must-have for Christian metal fans.

NOTE: State of Control was reissued in 2004, making this long out of print title available again with digitally remastered sound. The sonic makeover breathes new life into this classic album.

Second Best Christian Album of the 80's.......2007-03-06

This album was my introduction to Barren Cross. I have had both cassette versions of this release since 1989 one with "Two Thousand Years" and the more "mainstream" version with "Your Love Gives" and now I just ordered this cd which has both of them included!

This album has meant alot to me over the years in terms of Christian Metal from that era due to it's sonic production which is more akin to Stryper releases from that era rather than the sub par productions of other great Christian metal acts of the day.

The lyrics are not overwhelmingly "Jesus Praising" but rather more more mainstream with an positive edge for example "Stage Of Intensity" is about playing on a stage in front of a crowd and "Love At Full Volume" is a song Mike Lee wrote about the love for his wife and it's NOT a ballad that honor goes to "Your Love Gives" which is the only ballad in the lot!

Alot of songs have to do with your self worth such as lying to someone(Hard lies) and having "insane" thoughts (Out Of Control) all bent on helping you through your "rough day" rather than preaching as some other christian bands did.

The only song with a blatant Chritian message is "Two Thousand Years" but it still rocks hard.

As for my self I am not a "Born Again Christian" but rather someone who just loves good metal Christian or not and this album easily ranks in my top 20 albums of all time and only 1 other Christian metal album ranks up that high....Sacred Warrior - Masters Command which is a masterpice both musically and lyrically and I highly recommend it as it 's the best Chritian Metal album of all time!

Also pick up Barren Cross - Rattle Your Cage as it's is another assault on your metal senses and unfortunately the least known album from these guys

a more mature barren cross.......2006-05-01

This was one of my favorite groups back in the day and this album was more mature lyrically then their past two albums. Since my dad was an alcoholic at the time this album really spoke to me. It's already been stated whom they sound like though I actually liked bc better then maiden and priest, both of whom I used to listen to. Musically it's a throwback now but one that holds up well. It was heavier than big hair metal but not thrashy. I still listen to this and atomic arena quite a bit. Rock for the King is a little too cliche for me. If you are looking for the history of Christian hard rock this is one of the better places to start.
I'm looking for someone to email with about old and new Christian hard rock. Preferably age 32 to 42. Think it would be kind of cool to share what the music meant and means to you. bnkjohnson@netzero.net

An extension of Atomic Arena.......2006-02-01

When Barren Cross burst onto the Christian Metal scene with Atomic Arena many were taken by surprise. It's been said many times over that Barren Cross seems to be what would come from taking Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford with the sound of Iron Maiden and giving them Christian lyrics. Like all great first albums everyone seems to anticipate a second release flop. Thankfully for all of us this is not the case. The title song "State of Control" is a 10/10 rated song to start out the album. The tempo doesn't slow down on the next song "Out of Time" which has a great guitar hook through the whole song. The albums continues to rock from there. Definitely a great album worth having for all those who enjoyed the 80's hair metal days sadly gone away.

GREAT ALBUM BY BARREN CROSS.......2005-12-08

This is probably my favorite album by Barren Cross. I thought this album would have more success than it did. It was more commercial than their last album(Atomic Arena),much like labelmates Stryper did with In God We Trust being more polished than To Hell With The Devil. They had a single and video with the ballad "Cryin' Over You" and their was even two versions you could buy of the album. The first version released by Enigma Records had a different bonus track with "Escape In The Night" while the Benson version had the bonus track "Your Love Gives."

Like I said, this album is more commercial but does have it's heavy moments in songs like "State Of Control" "Out Of Time" and "The Stage Of Intensity." I always thought the song "Out Of Time" would be a perfect song for the soundtrack of the movie Left Behind. Of course you have the ballad "Cryin Over You" that they made a video for. I think I saw it played two times at the most but like most who listen to Barren Cross I was happy to see them played on secular stations so they could hopefully reach a bigger audience much like Stryper did. The other songs range from rock to commercial/melodic rock in songs like "Hard Lies" and the bonus track "Escape In The Night."

The bottom line is this is a great album released by Barren Cross. If you like previous released albums you will like this one also as the drums,bass and guitar all sound great. And if you are a fan of Iron Maiden then you should also gives this a listen as Mike Lee sounds like Bruce Dickenson(or the other way around). Overall a great cd with rockers,ballads and everything you would expect from a rock/metal album released in the late 80's.

Stand Out songs "State Of Control" "Out Of Time" "Hard Lies" and "Cryin'Over You"

Also be sure to check out their next release "Rattle Your Cage" This reunion album went out of print almost as soon as it was released. Very underrated cd and is features some of their best work. Check it out!

Average customer rating:

MVM rules!

State Voodoo/State Control
Monster Voodoo Machine
Manufacturer: D-Tribe
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Customer Reviews:

MVM rules!.......2000-10-21

Monster Voodoo Machine are one of the most underrated bands ever! I love listening to their music and never get bored with it!! The sound is killer and timeless, not trendy or dated. These guys are excellent and simply must get more recognition. Too bad you can't get their albums anymore. I also have their album Direct Reaction Now! and like that album a lot too. Get one of MVM's CDs today...

Average customer rating:

Barren Cross Rulz
Top 10 '80's Metal Album Of All Time!!

State of Control
Barren Cross
Manufacturer: Restless Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Christian Rock | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000008D8M
Release Date: 1994-04-01

Tracks:

State of Control
Out of Time
Cryin' Over You
Face in the Dark
Stage of Intensity
Hard Lies
Inner War
Love at Full Volume
Bigotry Man (Who Are You)
Two Thousand Years
Your Loves Gives

Customer Reviews:

Barren Cross Rulz.......2004-04-13

I am a Christian, and a musician. I am also a huge fan of 80s metal. I quickly tired of Dio, Dokken, and Iron Maiden's negative vibe: Fire, brimstone, hell, death, the number of the beast... I began longing for a band with a metal edge, but a positive vibe gorifying Christ(Dream Theater's "Images and Words" came real close).
I was introduced to "White Metal" in high school in the mid eighties by a classmate Phil Stephens, I believe it was a tape of Stryper's "Yellow and Black Attack" (later the Rez Band, and later Petra, Bloodgood, etc.). Oz Fox's guitar crunch, and Rob Sweet's ballsy grooves had me truly interested. Can these guys rock this hard and still be Christian?? These guys can take Motley Crue! Actually, Stryper's "Winter Wonderland" beat out Bon Jovi's "Backdoor Santa" in a head to head radio contest, and had Motley Crue put up anything, they would have lost as well; however, Stryper spurned loyal fans as they began writing away from their signature classics like "Loud and Clear," "C'mon Rock," "Soldiers Under Command," and "Rock That Makes Me Roll." Stryper's "Free" and "Honestly" are two examples at appeasing corporate executives--embarrassing! I recently read that Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen) was originally considered as Stryper's lead man, but lost the job to Michael Sweet... I digress!
Anyway, as Stryper went south, I began longing for a metal Christian band like Iron Maiden. Voila! Phil Stevens hands me a tape of "Rock for the King" by Barren Cross. I put the tape in my boom box, and I have been hooked ever since. The music was so hard that at the time I actually felt like a sinner just listening to it. Thanks to that first Barren Cross album, I am now in the process of collecting every Barren Cross CD ever made.
I just bought "State of Control" from Virgin records in San Francisco (now that Tower Records in Berkeley is defunct), and I have not been so excited by a Christian metal album since Stryper's "Yellow and Black Attack." Barren Cross is truly the answer to my prayers. Dio+Dokken+Coverdale+Tate= Mike Lee. Rhoads+DiMartini+Lynch+Lee= Ray Parris. What more could any metal fan ask for (and discernable lyrics too??). These guys are greater than Metallica, Megadeath, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Whitesnake, Dokken, and Ratt. They have been kept in obscurity not because they are Christian, but because they are TOO good. It is just like when Kevin Moore's Dream Theater put out "Images and Words," even Queensryche did not want to tour with them (lest they be embarrassed). I will even go as far as to say that Barren Cross is better than Halford and Pantera. What I am really trying to say is that this is the finest metal band ever assembled. "State of Control" is jaw droppingly good. It only gets four stars out of five due to some minor cheese on track #3 (I wish I could have edited this song), and a few weak solos by Parris. Mike Lee's vocals are mindbogglingly strong. This band may be "disbanded," but surely Ray Parris is not done producing quality metal, with an uplifting message.

Top 10 '80's Metal Album Of All Time!!.......2003-11-25

Whatever John and Dino Elefante touches turns into GOLD!! This album is no exception. If you are looking for Dokken meets Iron Maiden meets Jesus, this is it! After listening to every song you will wonder why Barren Cross didn't get as far as Stryper. Great lyrics, guitar, bass, melodies, vocals and harmonies. I bought this on tape back when it was originally released back in 1989 and still find myself playing it from time to time. I cannot wait until this is rereleased on CD by Rykodisc in 2004!

Average customer rating:

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy

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Binding: Audio CD

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Take Control
State of Mind
Manufacturer: Central Station
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000PE0EDY
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Album Description

State Of Mind is a drum and bass duo consisting of Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell. One of the first UK artists to take an interest in State Of Mind was Oxford-based duo (and arguably the most prolific artists in the history of drum and bass), Total Science. While touring New Zealand in late 2004, Q Project and Spinback were introduced to the State Of Mind sound. Blown away by the strength of the music they heard, the Oxford legends instantly sought to work with the talented duo.

Album Details

State of Mind is a Drum and Bass Duo Consisting of Patrick Hawkins and Stu Maxwell. One of the First UK Artists to Take an Interest in State of Mind was Oxford-based Duo (And Arguably the Most Prolific Artists in the History of Drum and Bass), Total Science. While Touring New Zealand in Late 2004, Q Project and Spinback were Introduced to the State of Mind Sound. Blown Away by the Strength of the Music They Heard, the Oxford Legends Instantly Sought to Work with the Talented Duo. Label Signings have Amassed Since this Encounter. Releases Are Now on the Shelves Now from Total Sciences Cia Recordings, Teebee's Subtitles Records, Futurebounds Viper Label, Doc Scotts 31 Records, Simon Bassline Smiths Technique Recordings, Bad Company, Obsessions, and More. There Are of Course More Works Soon to Be Released on Cia, Subtitles, Horizons, Uprising and Friction's Shogun Audio. Watch this Space.

Average customer rating:

Powerful Metal

State of Control
Barren Cross
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rock for the King

ASIN: B00008EU8P
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

State of Control
Out of Time
Cryin' Over You
Face in the Dark
Stage of Intensity
Hard Lies
Inner War
Love at Full Volume
Bigotry Man (Who Are You)
Two Thousand Years
Your Loves Gives

Customer Reviews:

Powerful Metal.......2007-05-12

Music:

Music

Music

1. State of Control
2. Out of Time
3. Cryin' Over You
4. Face in the Dark
5. Stage of Intensity
6. Hard Lies
7. Inner War
8. Love at Full Volume
9. Bigotry Man (Who Are You)
10. Two Thousand Years
11. Your Loves Gives