Tempest began in Evansville, Indiana back in 1985. Then as a one man band named Travail. Once forming member Mick/Mikk Rowe found out that Travail means labor pains, he decided to change the name to Tempest. Along with the name change came a band, including Mick's brother Jamie. In 1987 they signed a record deal with Pure Metal Records for 3 albums. Later it turned out that Pure Metal was under the impression that they had signed another band named Tempest, from Ohio. But when the ink was dry, nothing could change that. They released 2 albums before disbanding in 1990. Members have later become part of bands such as Guardian, London Calling, Midnight Orchestra, Goliath and Mindset 7.

EYE OF THE STORM (1988, 1989) PURE METAL

Man, I picked up every Christian metal album back in the 80's. And Tempest were no exception. I know many people regard this as one of the worst white metal bands ever, but I actually like them. So the production is quite bad, although this is way better than their debut-album. But the music is actually very cool. Tempest had catchy songs, with a direct message. And on top of it all, they had Jamie Rowe on vocals, 'nuff said! No wonder why Guardian picked him up. The music of Tempest is just plain and simple heavy metal ala Saint and Messiah Prophet. 'Eye Of The Storm' was the bands second, and last, effort. 

Rock trivia: The back of the CD says that this album was released in 1988. But the actual date of it's releases was January 21, 1989.

Killer tracks: Rock For The Light, Good-Bye, True Love (Never Fade Away)

A COMING STORM/EYE OF THE STORM (1997) INDIE (CDR)

This re-release of both Tempest albums, on one CD(R) was released by Mick himself, after many fans were asking him where they could get their hands on Tempest's albums. The artwork is crappy, and it sounds like it was recorded off of an old cassette or vinyl copy (at least the first album, as it was originally never released on CD). I've already written about 'Eye Of The Storm', so here I'll concentrate on the bands first release, entitled 'A Coming Storm'. It's quite weird actually that these old, bad sounding, recordings can give so much joy to this listener. My brother used to own this album on cassette, and I played the living daylights out of it. And I still like it to this day. I don't care if people call it dated, they probably weren't there in 1987, when this was a new release. Just adding something to a small collection of Christian metal was a big deal back then. And no one can tell me that they weren't good song-writers at least. "Tell Me" and "Metal Mission" sounds a lot like early Mötley Crüe. And the rest of the songs are all enjoyable to this old fan. Might also add that this was supposedly limited to only 1000 copies.

Killer tracks: Golgotha, Tell Me, Metal Mission, In His Name (Rock On)

LOST IN THE STORM (1999) M8 (Number 753/2000)

Another one of M8's demo/unreleased tracks-releases. The recordings are as usual horrendous. And this CD is only meant for die-hard fans. The track-listing on the back of the trey-card is wrong, and the last interview track isn't even listed. The booklet offers a song-by-song write-down from Mick Rowe, as well as the bands bio. I have one huge question mark though. Why is only the last line-up stated in the booklet, as the line-up playing on these demos most certainly aren't the same crowd that recorded their second album!? Not a frequent player at all, but an ok supplement to the collection.

Tempest also appear on:  

V/A - 'Heavy Righteous Metal'

V/A - 'Heavy Righteous Metal II'

 Jamie Rowe guest appearances:

Scott Wenzel - 'Film At Eleven'

Liberty N' Justice - 'Soundtrack Of A Soul'

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day'

Related artists:

Guardian, Goliath