Encyclopedia of
CCM Music
Holy Soldier
Andy Robbins, bass (1985+) Michael Cutting, gtr.
(1986-1990, 1993+); Jamie Cramer, gtr. (1985-1992);
Steven Patrick, voc (1988-1990, 1991-1992); Terry
Russell, drums (1985- 1995); II Scott Soderstrom ,
gtr. (1991- 1998); Eric Wayne, voc. (1990, 1993- 1998),
Jason Martin, drums (1995- 1997).
1990- Holy Soldier (Myrrh/A&M); 1992- Last Train;
1995- Promise Man (ForeFront/EMI); 1997-Encore (Spaceport).
www.holysoldier.com
The hard rock Southern California band Holy Soldier
has had two distinct incarnations, as the personnel
changes listed above indicate. The most noticeable
difference is the change in lead singers. The difference
between the sound of the group with Steven Patrick
and the sound with Eric Wayne is comparable to the
difference between the Doobie Brothers with Tom Johnston
versus Michael McDonald. Holy Soldier formed as a
Stryper-like glam metal band in 1985 in the Los Angeles
area and was part of The Hiding Place church headed
by Henry Cutrona. They established a strong following
in the general market, playing the prestigious Gazzari’s
club where they held an attendance record second only
to Van Halen.
The band was signed to Myrrh Records as that label’s
first heavy metal act, and David Zaffiro was recruited
to produce their albums. He would stick with the band
through thick and thin in the years to follow. The
self-titled debut includes the song “Stranger”
which spent three months as the number one song on
Christian music’s rock chart. Michael Cutting’s
guitar is even more impressive on the ballad “Eyes
of Innocence” and the rocking anthem “We
Are Young, We Are Strong”. Last Train features
a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme
Shelter” (cf. Ashley Cleveland) and includes
a couple of nonreligious romantic songs (“Crazy,”
“Love Is on the Way”) alongside the evangelical
title track and “Hallow’s Eve.”
The song “Tuesday Mourning” is hauntingly
beautiful and deals with sorrow over the death of
a loved one. Although both of the Myrrh metal albums
(with Patrick on lead vocals) met with significant
acclaim, they did not generate the kind of sales that
Myrrh was accustomed to receiving with artists like
Amy Grant and Russ Taft.
Dropped by the label, the band took a three year
recording hiatus and then returned (with a new singer)
as a modern rock band with a sound suggestive of the
Crash Test Dummies doing Soundgarden songs. The formula
clicked and Promise Man broke the group to an entirely
new audience, earning tem even more critical acclaim.
Promise Man’s best track is an inspired remake
of Larry Norman’s “Why Don’t You
Look Into Jesus?” a great song that Holy Soldier
manages to update musically from it’s original
hippie folk setting to a dark grunge ballad. Sonically,
the whole record digs into the blues tradition of
classic rock acts like the Doors and the Rolling Stones.
Zaffiro again at the helm and the songs are polished
and melodic. The title track, “Rust,”
“My World,” “Break it Down,”
and “Cover Me” are all amazing. “Mumbo
Jumbo” is a hypnotically infectious song about
the sleazy power of TV. “Love Conquers All”
is the album’s one true ballad, with overtones
of Extreme. CCM called Promise Man “a brilliant
record that ranks with the best of the year.”
It is easily that. The Christian equivalent of Soundgarden’s
Superunknown, it surpasses most of what was produced
n the general market in 1995 and remains one of Christian
music’s all-time best hard rock projects. Incredibly,
Forefront dropped the band all the same and Holy Soldier
released a live retrospective/reunion own label headed
by Andy Robbins. Steven Patrick returned for this
live “greatest hits” package, such that
songs from both phases of the group’s career
could be included, with Patrick or Wayne singing as
appropriate. After holy soldier, Jason martin (a different
person than the Starflyer 59 guitarist) would play
drums for Redline.
For trivia buffs: Andy Robbins was baptized by Pat
Boone in the latter’s swimming pool.
Dove Awards: 1991 Hard Music Album (Holy Soldier);
1991 Hard Music Song (“Stranger”); 1996
Hard Music Album (Promise Man); 1996 Hard Music Song
(“Promise Man”).
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