The Christian Metal Realm is a is a Christian-friendly community of heavy metal fans. Discussion of both Christian and secular heavy metal is found here, and members of several Christian metal bands drop by from time to time as well. We are still, obviously, under MAJOR construction on this page, but please check out our featured CD reviewed below, and visit our message board at one of the following links. You can also check out our MySpace page by clicking that link. Choose the section you would like to start at, or click the Christian Metal Realm Index link to take you to the board's index.
Also be sure to check out The Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of all time as voted on by members of the Christian Metal Realm!
The CMR compilation CD "The Narrow Path: Volume II" has SOLD OUT! I still have a few copies of "Thorns Of Redemption: Volume I" remaining. Contact me at the email address at the bottom of this page for ordering information...and be sure to keep an eye out for Volume III, coming this Spring/Summer from the Christian Metal Realm!
Liberty N Justice ~ "4 All: The Best Of LnJ"
Copyright Versailles Records, 2008
Greatest Hits packages are a funny thing...especially if the band technically has no hits. Such is the case with Liberty N Justice. For those who are unaware, Liberty N Justice is the incredible melodic hard rock project of Justin Murr and a bunch of his MUCH MORE famous friends. Now, while the names may be familiar to anyone who was a fan of the late 80's/early 90's hard rock or "hair metal" scene, the songs will not be. Why? Well, as I mentioned, LnJ has no hits! And while anyone who has heard LnJ would agree that this should change, it is not likely to. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with these songs. In fact, there is nothing wrong with any of these tracks. Were this 1988 instead of 2008, it is very possible that many of these songs would find themselves getting airplay. However, as it is 2008, fans of the genre who are wanting to find out what some of their favorite singers have been up to need look no further than Liberty N Justice "4 All: The Best Of LnJ".
Culling tracks from each of LnJ's last three star-studded releases, this compilation gives new listeners a broad range of vocalists to sample. Three tracks from 2004's "Welcome To The Revolution" are included (tracks 5 through 7 above). Tracks 8 through 11 come from 2006's "Soundtrack Of A Soul", while the final six songs were lifted from last year's killer acoustic hard rock masterpiece "Independence Day". The selection of songs here is just about perfect, with no specific track here being one that I would have left off. Granted, there are a couple of songs that I felt should have been included, but time limitations come into play on a collection such as this, and I am sure the record label wanted to get as many "names" on the release as possible. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tiny bit disappointed that more Christian vocalists were not included, especially with previous efforts by Josh Kramer of Saint, Ken Tamplin, and John Schlitt of Petra available. I would have also preferred Jamie Rowe's 2006 effort, "Malice In Wonderland" to the 2004 track, "Noise" that was chosen. These are small issues, however, as it is the message, and not the messenger that is of key importance on this, and all of LnJ's releases.
By adding four new tracks, established fans of LnJ are given something original to feast their ears on while also American-Idoling, air-guitaring, or steering-wheel-drumming along to some of their previous favorites. Fear Not's "classic" 1993 cut "We Have A God" is given a much deserved second life here. Larry Worley, Fear Not's vocalist, is recruited to work alongside Derrick LeFevre of Lillian Axe fame. I'll be honest, having loved the original, I was a bit nervous as to how this would come off. Turns out I didn't need to be concerned, as Murr & Co. stay loyal to the original, but update it enough to make it really kick off this collection with a bang. Richard Kendrick pulls off a ripping guitar solo in this song, by the way, which has brought a grin to my face with every listen so far.
As someone who has never been a Doug (Dug) Pinnick or King's X fan, again, I was a bit leery about Pinnick's contribution, "Rage". Again, it would seem my trepidation was uncalled for, as Pinnick turns in the best vocal performance on any of the four new tracks, which is quite a feat, as all four are excellent! "Rage" is an apt title to this track, as Pinnick really gives the listener a sense of anguish throughout the chorus, while still delivering a smooth, almost soulful touch to the individual verses. This track alone makes me consider going back and revisiting the King's X I have in my collection.
Steve Brown of Trixter/Stereo Fallout lends his talents to "Devil In The Details". Again, another strong performance is turned in here, though certainly not what most Trixter fans would expect. (Does anyone actually CLAIM to be a Trixter fan these days?) Definitely more modern in approach and tone, "Devil In The Details" is the slowest of the new cuts, although the ballad tag doesn't really apply here.
Rounding out the new songs is "Author Of The Flame", from frequent LnJ contributors Dale and Troy Thompson of Christian metal legends, Bride. I think Dale's voice sounds excellent on this particular track, coming across as full and powerful. Troy's signature guitar sound is easy to pick out here, as this song could just as easily have been included on the latest Bride release as on this LnJ disc. Good stuff, indeed!
The packaging is very nice, with full credits as far as song writing and musical performance broken down track-by-track. The multi-page booklet includes mini-bio's and blurbs about the majority of the vocal performers on this collection. No lyrics are included, but with the clarity of the performances, it is not hard at all to pick out the message and themes of each of these songs. The production is very clear, and the songs from the four different albums all flow together nicely without any significant drop-off in sound quality from newest songs to oldest. The tray liner also has a nice little write up by LnJ supporter "Hairball John" of the Hairball John Radio Show.
This is an excellent collection from start to finish, with no filler and no fluff to these ears. With writing credits on 13 of the 18 tracks, Justin Murr has once again proven that he is one of the best currently writing this style of melodic, yet hard music, regardless of if he is in full rocking mode with the Thompson Brothers of Bride or Stephen Pearcey of Ratt, or laying back a bit on one of the included acoustic rockers from Independence Day. New fans and die-hard followers of the band will all find something to enjoy on this collection. Hopefully this is just a taste of what still lies in store for us on future Liberty N Justice projects!
To order the CD "4 All: The Best of LNJ", or any other works by Liberty N Justice Visit LibertyNJustice.net Also be sure to look for a previously unavailable track from LnJ on the upcoming Christian Metal Realm III CD, available this Spring/Summer!
"When speaking of "shredders" in the guitar world, many names come to mind...Malmsteen, Vai, Friedman, Satriani. All possess incredible talent, speed, accuracy, and a certain sense of rhythm and melody that many other players only strive for. And while not a name most would commonly see alongside these legends of the axe, Pastor Brad has shown on this, his latest effort, that he is certainly up to the task of joining these guitar heroes, if not in name recognition, then, at the least, in level of respect."
"...melodic hard rock done right! Strong hooks, powerful vocals, and lyrics that drive home the band's message of Christ's love for us! This is a band that needs to be heard, and this disc is not to be missed!"
"...a crunchy, power-thrash disc from one of the best of the genre! "Deathwish", "One For All", the remake of "Blink", and the cover of Iron Maiden's "Wrathchild" are worth the price of admission!"
If you have any questions or comments about the Christian Metal Realm or any of these bands, contact me at arttieTHE1manparty@yahoo.com
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