Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Stavesacre, Absolutes
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Stavesacre
Absolutes



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 51 seconds
Street Date: 1997


Stavesacre's 1997 album Absolutes is a great hard rocking album that modernizes old school metal. It can be melodic at times, but not as melodramatically as 80's cheese-metal hair-bands tended to be. This is metal for the thinking man!

While Mark Salomon's lead vocals have improved, some might find his high ends to be a little 80's-ish at times. Where he couldn't establish his range previously, he has matured here. Dirk Lemmes's bass is driving and crystal clear. It is heavy and crunchy, able to switch speeds in a split second. It seems like he is constantly pounding those strings.

Ryan Denee skillfully lays out the guitar as well, even after the band having changed guitarists. A later album adds another guitarist, but the sound doesn't fare any better as one might expect. The drums...ah, the drums. Sam West is simply marvelous, one of the best. His filler is no filler at all. He adds so much that he often teeters on overdoing it. If you are a drummer, you have to get this record for sure. I can't believe how he can set such paces yet is able to pre-empt them so suddenly, making his beats something to behold. He is a treat to listen to and a blur to watch.

"Shiv" is an immediate rocker, an introductory anthem that begs for freedom and understanding. "Sand Dollar" touches on trusting in The Intelligent Designer. "Colt .45" is an unapologetic expression of faith, sensitively cited amidst heavy music. "Inclusive" is also a heavy number that acknowledges God's sovereignty. "Wither/Ascend" (which will be played at my funeral) is an endearing committment no matter what life may bring and is later followed by a brief and mellow reprise. "Acquiesce" is a mid-tempo statement of confidence in divine providence. "An Eclipsing" is a layered call for significance, for purpose and meaning in life. "Two Heavens" is descriptive of two realms, of both temptation and hope. "Scarecrow" ends beautifully with a warning of impending judgement for all.

These guys are not preachy; they are real and they are certainly authentic. They take themselves seriously yet are still able to have some fun with it. Their passion is contagious and their intentions admirable. They are certainly a hard-working band and I have enjoyed meeting them.

While some feel that Speakeasy is better, this is still their most thorough effort. While they never really broke through into the popular market, they continue to be thought of respectfully by both fans and industry participants alike. While Mark can be abrupt, his intentions are always laudable. These guys are intense and can rock like no one else.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 1/28/10, written by Derek Lehman for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 


. Record Label: Tooth and Nail Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 51 seconds
. Street Date: 1997
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Shiv (2:56)
  2. Sand Dollar (3:07)
  3. Colt .45 (5:45)
  4. Inclusive (3:45)
  5. Wither/Ascend (6:19)
  6. Acquiesce (4:06)
  7. An Eclipsing (2:59)
  8. The Two Heavens (6:13)
  9. Wither (Reprise) (2:35)
  10. Zzyzx Scarecrow (6:06)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, July 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Magdalene Rose The Heart That Bloomed After Death [Rockfest]

SINGLES
Josiah Queen Cloud and Fire - Single [Capitol CMG]
Stryper Still The Light - Single [Frontiers]

This Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Above the Clouds The Messengers [Polished Arrow]
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
Illbrio Part Two (independent)
Ronnie Martin Moth - Instrumentals [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Brandon Mitchell GAMETIME [Syntax]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
Rachel Purcell Mercy & Me - EP [Centricity]
Tenkiller Burn The Boats [Charon Collective]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]
Anne Wilson God Story - EP [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Christyan Scarborough All Dog$ Go To Heaven - Single [Syntax]
Josh Baldwin Salvation Song - Single [Bethel]
BASECAMP Lord's Day - Single [Polished Arrow]
bodie NO SKIPS - Single [Provident]
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Colony House OK OK OK OK - Single [LastDaze]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Forrest Frank LEMONADE (feat. The Figs) - Single [River House]
Dave Hall Safe Part II (ft. Megan Tossi & Kayo Bracey) - Single [Syntax]
JusRzd Receipts (ft. GB) - Single [Syntax]
K3hlab iPraise (Remix) (ft. CJ Emulous & Xay Hill) - Single [Syntax]
The Kingsmen Go and Tell Somebody - Single [Horizon]
Jamie MacDonald Left It In The River - Single [Capitol CMG]
Mell Omii Trav Hit His Parlay - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Back to Brooklyn - Single [Syntax]
Q-Flo Hilltop Cypher (ft. DJ Mykael V, Glenn Ray, Parris Chariz & Prodi Da Prodigal) - Single [Syntax]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)
UPPERROOM, Bethel Music The Church (feat. Abbie Gamboa, Jenn Johnson & Kristian Stanfill) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Vineyard Worship Swing Wide - Single [Vineyard UK]
Solachi Voz Knew Me (ft. GODSVOIC3 & Key'ijah) - Single [Syntax]
VOTA Try - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 8, 2025
ALBUMS
CXMMXNS All The Praise Belongs [Provident]
Blessing Offor Real [Capitol CMG]
Zane Walls Think About Me - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - Single [DREAM]
We Are Messengers Losing You - Single [Curb]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images