White metal band from L.A., California. Got great reviews for their self-titled debut, but tried to commercialize more and more as time went by. In 2005, after a break that lasted almost 10 years, the band are back together with the original line-up. Easily compared to bands like White Lion, Ratt and Stryper.

HOLY SOLDIER (1990) WORD/SPACEPORT

I remember finding this album in a shop in Sweden. I was in the 9th grade, and my class was on a school trip. Almost all of my spending-money went to buy this record, and I couldn't wait to get home and listen to it. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. This is one of the best melodic metal albums from it's era. Everything's right, the melodies, the vocals, the production. It's only surpassed by Stryper (in this genre). I can also ad that David Zaffiro (ex-Bloodgood) has produced it. And it still sounds a good as it did back then!

Killer tracks: Stranger, Cry Out For Love, Lies, Eyes Of Innocence

LAST TRAIN (1992) MYRRH/WORD

I must admit that I had high hopes for this CD. I'd only heard good things about it, and people told me that it was just as good as their debut-album. First things first: it's NOT as good as the first one, it's still a good melodic metal platter. The problem here, in my opinion, is that there are too many filler songs. It also sounds like Holy Soldier already here went for a more commercial sound (that may also be caused by the production, but I think it is the songwriting that really makes it sound more polished). I miss the raw hunger and thirst from the self titled CD. But as a fan of the band it's nice to finally own it, and I really enjoy many of the songs on it. "Hallow's Eve" is probably one of their finest moments ever. "Gimme Shelter" is a Rolling Stones cover-tune.

Killer tracks: Virtue & Vice, Hallow's Eve, Last Train

PROMISE MAN (1995) FOREFRONT

I think I've only read bad reviews of this album. So I never bothered to check it out. But a friend of mine sent me a copy (thanks, Arttie), and I was able to make up my own mind. And the first 2 songs made no indication that this was such a bad album. I enjoyed them almost as much as I do the first Holy Soldier album. But then the bad news came traveling. All the rest of the platter just plain sucks! There are no signs of the heavy metal I loved this band for, and the songs aren't even good pop/rock songs. Oh man, why do these Christian bands jump on a bandwagon they are nowhere near to begin with!?! Guardian, Bride and Holy Soldier all fell for the same trap, STARDOM! Or at least it seems like it to me. The fact that Holy Soldier got some more attention on the Christian hit lists, doesn't even begin to justify changing styles so radically. I keep this album for collecting purposes, and to listen to the first 2 tracks.

Killer tracks: Promise Man, Mumbo-Jumbo

ENCORE (1997) SPACEPORT

A cool live disc (most of the tracks anyway), or is it supposed to be a best-of compilation? Well, it is quite good anyhow. The tracks marked with * are studio recordings, the rest are live. I only owned one other disc by Holy Soldier when I got this one, so far, so I was not familiar with all the songs. But the ones I did now, are represented in a nice way here. Steven Patrick was asked to join the band, to sing the songs from the past. What a voice this man has! I'm beginning to miss this band when I hear the songs he sings. Some of the other tracks are good too, so this will not become a dust-collector! Funny to hear Pat Boone sing "Eyes Of Innocence"!?!

Holy Soldier also appear on:  

V/A - 'Metal Mission - The Sampler'

V/A - 'Rock On - Christian Loud' (Compilation)

Related artists:

Steven Patrick, Vengeance Rising, Once Dead, Die Happy