Neon Cross were a heavy metal band from California, formed in 1985. After releasing a 5 track demo tape, and getting 2 songs included on the legendary 'California Metal' compilation, Neon Cross secured a record deal with Regency Records in 1987. A year later the bands self titled debut album was released. Despite being regarded as an instant classic, the band didn't manage to follow up the critically acclaimed debut. Instead the band folded, only to resurface during the grunge era. 3 new songs were premiered in 'Premium Cuts', a compilation released through Rugged Records in 1994. A sophomore album, 'Torn' was released through the same record company in 1995. Neon Cross has changed their sound drastically, and the album bombed. The band disappeared once again. In 2002 the band started to write and record for a 3rd album, but save for delivering 1 new track ("You're The One")  for The Christian Metal Realms second compilation CD in 2007, nothing has so far been released.

Don Webster, David Raymond Reeves, Ed Ott, Mike Betts

NEON CROSS (1987/1988, 2001) M8

In 1987 Neon Cross released a demo, entitled 'Frontline Life'. They also contributed 2 songs for the 'California Metal' sampler on Regency Records. The response these 2 tracks gained secured the band a record deal, and in 1988 they released their self titled debut for Regency Records.

During the mid- to late 80's the Christian metal scene exploded. Following the success of Stryper, Barren Cross and Whitecross just about every white metal act out there secured a record deal, released 1 album, and faded into obscurity. Neon Cross was initially not an exception to the rule. Their brand of 80's metal with falsetto vocals impressed the Christian metal crowd, hungry for new bands to listen to. But it would seem that the band had little staying power.

The music on 'Neon Cross' sees a band with a knack for writing memorable songs, more so than any virtuoso qualities. The playing is so basic, one has to wonder if they simply put the same drum beat as the foundation for every song, and forgot to actually re-record them individually for each song as the recording session moved along. I like the bass-heavy sound of the band, and the guitarist delivers some hungry riffs. But the real "star" here is vocalist David Raymond Reeves. His clean falsetto is at times held on the verge of becoming ridiculous, and reminds me of bands like Nitro and Vinnie Vincent Invasion. But David also has that classic hard rock vibe, reminiscent of Robert Plant or David Coverdale. I'm guessing that the Elephante brothers had a finger or 2 on the production side here (my reissue lacks info regarding this issue). Still, this is not an overtly polished product, but the songs on the finished album are definitely pop-ier than they appeared on the demo. 'Neon Cross' does sound a bit dated, but as long as it is full of catchy songs you want to listen to over and over, than production values will never stop me from enjoying this CD.

The M8 re-issue has the wrong song order for the original 1988 album printed on the back of the trey card. The correct song order is reflected in the lyrics sheet (and here). The reissue adds both songs fro the 'California Metal' sampler, but omits the first track ("The Battle") from the 'Frontline Life' demo.

Killer tracks: Heart Breaker, (This Is The) Right Time, Victory

TORN (1995) RUGGED RECORDS

Neon Cross broke up soon after their first release. But in 1994 two of the members resurrected the band. They recorded 3 metal songs for a record-company sampler, but got slammed as being dated. So when they released 'Torn' a year later, they had changed their style to bluesy hard-rock, with a modern sound.

Killer tracks: Seasons Of Change, '81

Neon Cross also appear on:  

V/A - 'California Metal'

V/A - 'The Narrow Path: The CMR Compilation - Volume II'

David Raymond Reeves guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day' (also as writer)

Liberty 'N' Justice - 'Chasing A Cure' (also as writer)

Don Webster guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day' (as writer)

Liberty 'N' Justice - 'Chasing A Cure' (as writer)