Christian power/speed metal band from California. Recon came about when guitar-player George Ochoa, bass-player Dion Sanchez (both ex-Prophet), drummer John Gonzales, and vocalist Vett Roberts (ex-Seventh Thunder) joined forces with fellow Sanctuary Church members Eddie Starline (rhythm guitar) and Ronson Webster (keyboards, vocals) in 1987. After playing the clubs in Hollywood, recording a demo and 2 songs for the 'California Metal 2' compilation album, the band began to have internal problems. George Ochoa joined Deliverance, but didn't give up hope for the songs written for Recon. So after getting in touch with a record company CEO, George brought in the band, now with new bass-player, Mike Grato, and together they recorded 'Behind Enemy Lines'. But even though the album did fairly well, and the band gained a lot of fans, there was no tours or even a line-up to drive the band forth. Thus Recon fizzled out of existence, as George continued to tour with Deliverance. Then in late 2000 the band seemed to have once more reformed, and a demo was recorded. The band also attended the annual cornerstone festival in 2001. But once more, the band just vanished, and nothing more than a live album from the Cornerstone festival appeared. Other attempts at reunions have taken place, and the band has also played scattered concerts every now and then. But new material have yet to see the light of day.

Eddie Starline, George Ochoa, John Christianson, Mike Grato, Vett Roberts

BEHIND ENEMY LINES (1990, 2001) MAGDALENE/M8

Another white metal band I loved in the early 90's! Recon had a sound somewhere between Deliverance and early Queensrÿche, 2 bands I really love. If you are a fan of melodic power/speed metal, with falsetto vocals, Recon is a band to check out! The music is well played, but nothing overtly flashy. There are also plenty of variation here. I also love the inclusion of Spanish guitars in the excellent worship song "Holy Is The Lord". My old tape got played to the extreme, and I'm glad I've finally replaced it with a CD. I used to own the original Intense release, but traded it in, when I purchased this reissue with bonus tracks. Before the reissue, this was a treasured item. 'Behind Enemy Lines' have also been released in Japan, with 2 bonus tracks. But I've not been able to get any info on what these 2 songs are. They might be the 2 tracks featured on the 'California Metal 2'-compilation. This M8 version has several bonus-cuts, including the 2 mentioned tracks, but none to really get overtly excited about.

Killer tracks: Ancient Of Days, Dreams, Alive!, Eternal Destiny

LIVE AT CORNERSTONE 2001 (2001) MAGDALENE/M8

Man, what a day it must have been that infamous 80's Metal Retro night at the Cornerstone Festival in 2001! So many of the long time favorite Christian metal acts got it together to deliver us fans one more set of blistering classics for these live recordings. Now, I was quite hesitant to buy the Recon disc from this series. I had read some lukewarm reviews, most of whom seemed to be displeased with Vett's performance. Still it was only a matter of time before I bought the thing, being such a fan of the bands only full-length album, and being a complete CD collecting addict. 'Live At Cornerstone 2001' sees the band rip through 6 of the tracks from their 'Behind The Enemy Lines' album. The band actually sound very tight, and you cannot tell that they haven't been a band for close to a decade! As with all the other Cornerstone 2001 CD's, the recording is pretty raw. There have been no added overdubs or altered stuff in the slightest. So all the flaws and mistakes are still present. And I think that is the biggest problem for all the naysayers. Yes, Vett does seem to have some problems with the highest notes. But I don't think it ruins an otherwise good enough performance. In hindsight it has been said that several bands were having monitor problems on stage. And that would explain why Vett were having problems. I still at least get to hear some of my favorite songs played live! And Recon even played a brand new track that day! "The Chosen Few" was going to be the title track for a second album that never saw the light of day. But this way we get to hear this worship-like song here. M8 were the kings of cheap packaging, and this CD is no exemption. They even slapped on 4 of the bonus tracks already available on the reissue of 'Behind Enemy Lines'.

Recon also appear on:  

V/A - 'Hot Metal Summer III'

Vett Roberts guest appearances:  

Mortification - 'Primitive Rhythm Machine'

Related artists

Deliverance, Mortification, Vengeance Rising, Crystavox