Whitecross was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1986 by Rex Carroll and Scott Wenzel. Whitecross release their debut self-titled CD 'Whitecross' on Pure Metal in 1987, and help to bring life to the fast growing scene of Christian Rock and Christian Heavy Metal. With ripping guitar work and solid vocals, they were often compared to the popular main-stream group Ratt. Whitecross followed their debut recording with 'The $6.98 EP-Love on the Line' in 1988, 'Hammer & Nail' in 1988 and 'Triumphant Return' in 1989. Star Song bought the Pure Metal label and the duo of Rex Carroll and Scott Wenzel would create two more albums together; 'In the Kingdom' in 1991 and 'High Gear' in 1992. The Dove Award winning Whitecross who travel with notable groups such as Stryper, Steve Taylor and others would never be the same again. Rex Carroll the guitar mastermind, songwriter and producer behind the band would leave in 1992, to pursue a solo album entitled 'The Session'. Rex also went on to form the band King James with front man Jimi Bennett and 2 former members of Stryper, Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet. Scott went on to make a solo album as well as more Whitecross albums; 'Unveiled' (1994), 'Equilibrium' (1995) and 'Flytrap' (1996). The band made a reunion in 2005, and re-recorded their debut, releasing it under the new name 'Nineteen Eighty Seven'.

WHITECROSS (1987, 1988) STAR SONG

Being a child of the 80's, and growing up side by side with the exploding White Metal scene at the time, one could not get passed the band, Whitecross. Their self titled debut album is still one of the best efforts from that era, and I regard it as a treasure in my heavy metal collection. This band had it all, the stellar guitar-hero, the raspy voice with an attitude, and the songwriting skills to back it all up. And on top of that, they had a message I was a proud follower of. I know places like The Metal Archives won't even list them, as they don't consider them metal. But then I say that they haven't heard this album. Songs like "Who Will You Follow", "Enough Is Enough" and "Signs Of The End" is pure heavy metal to these ears, and as heavy as anything that Saxon, Def Leppard and Scorpions were doin' at the time. They do sound a lot like another band not included on those pages though, and that is Ratt. I even remember one proficient metal magazine (think it was Kerrang!) at the time were calling them the best act out of Chicago, since Ratt. 'Whitecross' was originally released on Pure Metal Records in 1987, but my version is the Star Song re-release. So if you like 80's metal, with blazing guitars, and in-you-face vocals, Whitecross is definitely for you.

Killer tracks: Who Will You Follow, Wnough Is Enough, You're Mine, Seein' Is Believin', Signs Of The End

HAMMER & NAIL (1988) STAR SONG

The second effort from Whitecross is more blues based then the debut. But this is still a heavy metal album by all means. A better production doesn't necessarily mean a less heavy band. Just check out "Resist Him". Melodic, yes, but still as heavy as anything you'd expect from a metal band of the 80's. I even like the bands ballads, that everyone else seem to rag upon. If I'd take away anything from these early Whitecross albums, it would have been the instrumental tracks. Don't get me wrong, Rex is a very good player and all, I just have never like instrumental tracks that much, and he does more than a good job with the solos in the other tracks to keep me satisfied. 'Hammer & Nail' is simply put another fine metal platter!

Killer tracks: Living On The Edge, Take It To The Limit, Walk With Me, Resist Him, Living In A Lost World

TRIUMPHANT RETURN (1989) STAR SONG

'Triumphant Return', the third album with Whitecross, sees an even more polished band effort. 2 members are gone, and the line-up isn't even the players that are actually on the record. Stylistically though they haven't changed all that much. And If I had to chose, I would probably say that I prefer this over 'Hammer & Nail'. I like the songs better, and the songwriting seems more focused. The album has an edge that I like; less blues, more metal. Again I really love the ballad here. On "Simple Man" Rex takes over the lead vocal position, something he also did on 1 song from their 1988 'Love On The Line' EP. 'This is Sun Strip L.A. metal from Chicago!

Killer tracks: Straight Thru The Heart, Down, Behold, Simple Man, Heaven's Calling Tonight

AT THEIR BEST (1991) 214

Attention Please Lookin' For A Reason Straight Thru The Heart Down Behold Shakedown Flashpoint - instrumental Living In A Lost World Over The Top Take It To The Limit The Hammer And The Nail - instrumental

What an incredible stupid collector's disc. 6 songs from 'Triumphant Return' and 5 from 'Hammer & Nail' is what you get, and both the front cover and trey card art is snagged directly from 'Triumphant Return' with only the titles pasted on top!! I hat myself for spending money on completing collections with stuff like this.

IN THE KINGDOM (1991) STAR SONG

I find Whitecross' releases to be quite consistent, although you can notice a progression in sound from album to album. So if you play 'Whitecross' and 'In The Kingdom' back to back you will hear that this is the same band that has adopted a more mainstream style. I've always thought that this metamorphosis was done in good fashion, and I have no problem with it what so ever. In fact, 'In The Kingdom' is yet another solid album, although not my favorite by the band. The sing-a-long factor is sky high, and the metal of old is not as apparent. Rex' guitar-work is the red thread that links this CD to the Whitecross of the past. But it all boils down to wheatear or not you like what you hear. I might have done without the guest appearance of rapper Alton Hood, from D.O.C., but he only appears on the last track. 'In The Kingdom' has a fine worship vibe that I like.

Killer tracks: No Second Chances, We Know What's Right, In The Kingdom, If He Goes Before Me

HIGH GEAR (1992) STAR SONG

'High Gear' is the logical step from 'In The Kingdom'. Whitecross are no longer a metal band, although a song like "Long Road To Walk" might just as well have been on 'Hammer & Nail'. So this doesn't mean that they are not writing good songs any longer. Rockers like "High Gear" and "Without Your Love" are good. And we also get the obligatory Rex-instrumental in "Overdrive". I played this album a lot when it was new, and I love most of what is presented on it. You see, if the songs appeal to me, I'm not at all that hung up on label, tags or genres. That said, this is no longer the same band I fell in love with back in 1987. And this is also the last proper Whitecross release, as far as I am concerned.

Killer tracks. High Gear, Dancin' In Heaven, In America, Without Your Love, Comin' Home, My Love

TO THE LIMIT - THE BEST OF WHITECROSS (1993) STAR SONG

It's My Life Enough Is Enough In The Kingdom No Second Chance When The Walls Tumble Down In America You're My Lord Shakedown Walk With Me Because Of Jesus Dancin' In Heaven Simple Man

Another compilation album, but this time we at least get offered 2 new tracks as well. They are noteworthy as the last 2 tracks Rex recorded with the band, before leaving. "It's My Life" is a cool song that represents both the bluesy, and more heavier styles of the band. It's heavier than anything off of the last 2 albums. "You're My Lord" is more of a pinpoint towards the new side of Whitecross, and what was to come after this CD. I strongly disagree with many of the choices for songs on this CD. And why name the compilation after a tune, and not even include it?

UNVEILED (1994, 2005) RETROACTIVE RECORDS (Remastered)

Whitecross has always been Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll, plus whatever other musicians that was in the studio, or on the stage with them at any given time. So when Rex quit after recording the tracks for the compilation album, the band changed dramatically. This is no longer a hard rock band, and even less a metal band. This is contemporary Christian rock, and an obvious attempt of writing radio friendly music. I know the label "modern" is quite meaningless, because it can mean different thing for different times. But modern is exactly the way I'd describe the sound on this album. If it wasn't for Scott's signature voice, you'd have no problem in convincing me that this was a different band altogether. I required the remastered reissue of this album, released by Retroactive Records in 2005. It contains 2 tracks from their 1986 Whitecross demo, that got them signed to Pure Metal Records. They seem pretty misplaced on this album though.....

On a side note, I have never understood the line-ups to this band. Was it so that there were different people recording the material, and those who were with the band live? From the line-notes it can appear to be the case. Anyway, this album also features the present bass-player from Stryper.

Killer tracks: "Home In Heaven" and "Good Bye Cruel world" are decent

BY DEMAND - THE CLASSICS FANS DEMAND! (1995) STAR SONG

Attention Please We Know What's Right Take It To The Limit Gonna Keep On Who Will You Follow Nagasake - instrumental Good Enough Down Living On The Edge Holy War He Is The Rock

Yet another compilation album, released on Star Song, probably as an option after the band left for R.E.X. This is supposedly the songs the fans wanted to hear, but then I question why a song like "Holy War" is here!?! No, this is simply another cash-in on an already popular band.

EQUILIBRIUM (1995) R.E.X.

Whitecross continues down their new path of modern rock. 'Equilibrium' is even more experimental, and far removed from what I think most anyone would think of when they hear the name, Whitecross. I've never understood what happened to Christian metal during the 90's, as almost every classic band changed their style so drastically, they were virtually not even recognizable. Why didn't they just change their names? So, the musical climate had changed, and they claimed that metal no longer sold records. Some even claimed that they were pushed by their labels to compromise. Most of these bands sold a lot of albums when they were playing metal, but few of them survived the 90's, when they were supposedly trying to be popular! Well, so much for musical integrity I guess! But back to this album. It doesn't suck as much as I want it to (LOL). But  I just can't take a band serious any longer when they are trying to be something they are not. The only song I really like here, is "Collide".

Killer tracks: Collide

FLYTRAP (1996) R.E.X.

A completely new line-up, except Scott of course, and yet another bogus Whitecross album. To be fair though, Scott sings as good as ever, but as with the prior 2 albums, this is not Whitecross. This album is the one that has the least musically resemblance to the original Whitecross band. Even the cover art is ugly on this one!

Killer tracks: None

ONE MORE ENCORE (1998) R.E.X.

Say A Prayer No Second Chances (Bonus Remake Cut) Good Bye Cruel World Amazing Love Fallen Eye To Eye End Of The Line Come Into The Light Collide I Keep Prayin' Far Away Places Home In Heaven Full Crucifixion It's Already Done

Just what I'd been waiting for; another compilation, album! This time taking cuts from the R.E.X. era Whitecross. And to top it all off; a remake of "No Second Chances" from 'In The Kingdom'! Yay, ruining an already perfectly good song!

NINETEEN EIGHTY SEVEN (2005) GIRDER

Almost 10 years after their last studio album, and 13 years after the last album with Rex, Whitecross' nucleus returns. But instead of recording new material, they jump on the bandwagon of re-recording old stuff. 'Nineteen Eighty Seven' is basically the first album done all over again. I've never had any problems with the original production, but it doesn't exactly take a rocket scientist to understand that today's recording standards will make for a much better product. Or does it? Well, the songs represented do sound "richer" and they have also done a great job in recreating the songs, rather then updating them. Kudos for that. We also get the title track from their 1988 EP, 'Love On The Line', and a brand new instrumental. But I can't by the life of me understand why they took away "You're Mine". That is one of my all time favorite ballads from the band. And If they had included it here, I could have replaced the original self titled disc with this one. Rex' guitar-work is stellar, as usual. Scott sings in a lower key on this one. Not sure if that has something to do with his vocal abilities today, or if this was a calculated move. Either way, this is a great addition to the collection, and one of the better re-recordings of any bands material.

Whitecross also appear on:  

V/A - 'Heavy Righteous Metal'

V/A - 'Heavy Righteous Metal II'

Scott Wenzel guest appearances:

Liberty N' Justice - 'Soundtrack Of A Soul'

Rex Carroll guest appearances:

Eden - 'Fan The Flame'

Related artists:

Rex Carroll, King James, Scott Wenzel, Stryper, Scarlet Rayne