Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


Holy Soldier, Encore
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Holy Soldier
Encore



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 59 minutes, 44 seconds
Street Date: 1997


READER RATING:   


Holy Soldier's Encore is a great album for a fan of any of the band's previous efforts. This album is unusual as it features the return of previous vocalist Steven Patrick while retaining later vocalist Eric Wayne.

A live set is sandwiched in-between 3 new studio recordings (one at the beginning and 2 at the end). The album begins with a Pearl Jam-esque acoustic driven song called "Whisper." From there, the album becomes 9 tracks of a live set. To anyone who has listened to any of the previous three records from the hair-metal-band turned grunge rockers, the set is a real treat. The music begins with "See No Evil," a song from their earliest days, sung by Patrick. What stands out most is how the audience sounds on the recording; they sound either far away or very small. It is disappointing because the band gives a faithful live version of the song and an impressive performance.

The first vocal trade-off of many in the set happens here when the band jumps to "My World," voiced by Wayne. The song, originally from the band's days on Forefront Records (Promise Man), is loaded with energy. The next three tracks--"Lies," "Virtue and Vice," and "When the Reign Comes Down"--have Patrick as the frontman again. Writing as someone who has heard the band's previous efforts, the guitair work live doesn't quite hold up to the studio. This can clearly be heard on "Virtue and Vice," but on the whole, the live renditions of these songs are faithful.

From there, the mic heads back to Wayne with the song "Rust." It sounds reminiscent of Metallica and is about dealing with pain here on Earth in light of eternity. Things are wrapped up with "Last Train," "Promise Man" and "Stranger." These are the band's lead singles from their previous three studio albums and, while they do great performances respectively, I think the audience (or maybe lack of one?) really hurt these songs. The audience cheers for an encore at one point and it is difficult to hear them at all.

The next studio track is where things get a little weird. I'll say it in two words: Pat Boone (That's right, Pat Boone). Apparently, the aged singer knows someone in the band and he sings the vocals for a new version of the band's song "Eyes of Innocence." The song, while interesting for the novelty, is tough to listen to. At some points, it sounds as if he's not quite sure of the melody he is singing. Finally, the album closes with "In The End" with vocals once again by Patrick. It sounds something of a toned-down 80's style rock song.

Overall, the pros: it's a great album with both of the singers from Holy Soldier's major releases. The cons: It's a live recording where the audience is barely audible. It's probably not an album for someone who doesn't know the band already. All in All, if you're a fan of Holy Soldier and don't have this one, I wouldn't miss it!

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 7/16/16, written by Paul Nave for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: Bulletproof / Spaceport Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 59 minutes, 44 seconds
. Street Date: 1997
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Whisper (5:12)
  2. See No Evil [live] (5:39)
  3. My World [live](4:08)
  4. Lies [live](5:04)
  5. Virtue and Vice [live] (4:32)
  6. When the Reign Comes Down [live] (5:21)
  7. Eyes of Innocence [live](6:20)
  8. Last Train [live](4:56)
  9. Promise Man [live](5:17)
  10. Stranger [live] (4:24)
  11. Eyes of Innocence (3:53)
  12. In the End (5:04)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images