Whitecross
Encyclopedia
Whitecross is a Christian metal
band that formed in 1985 in Waukegan
, IL releasing their first recording in the year 1987. Their early albums, which often invite comparisons to Ratt
, are laced with fast, technical guitar
work. In 1994, bandleader, primary songwriter and producer Rex Carroll split with lead vocalist Scott Wenzel. Scott retained the use of the name "Whitecross" while Rex went on to form King James with Jimi Bennett (see below). At this point the band's sound underwent a drastic change, until Rex and Scott rejoined in 2000.
Whitecross has won three Dove Awards with Triumphant Return (in 1990) and In the Kingdom (in 1992) winning "Metal Album of the Year" and Come unto the Light from the Unveiled album winning "Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards
in 1994.
In 1994 prior to work starting on the Unveiled album, guitarist Rex Carroll left to form the band King James
and pursue other musical ventures. In 1998, singer Scott Wenzel took a two-year break to do mission
work in South America
. During this time, Whitecross went on hiatus before re-emerging at Cornerstone Festival in 2000 when Carroll and Wenzel reformed the "classic" lineup with Rex, Scott, Michael Feighan and newcomer Benny Ramos providing bass, keyboards and vocals. Finally having achieved a long-sought lineup stability, the band started performing on a regular basis.
In 2005, Carroll and Wenzel reunited to record Nineteen Eighty Seven, which featured re-recordings of nine of the ten songs from the band's self-titled debut album (You're Mine being the exclusion), as well as a re-recording of the song Love on the Line (previously unavailable on CD) and a new guitar instrumental by Rex Carroll.
On April 5, 2008, they played at the Legends of Rock festival in Ennepetal, Germany. Beginning in July 2008, they played the first of several short tours in Guatemala featuring shows in Guatemala City, Panajachel, Huehuetenango, among other cities.
On March 12, 2011, Rex made post on his Facebook page announcing that he is "working on some guitar tracks for new Whitecross songs" which is likely to be for their new album.
s
Drums
Bass
Christian metal
Christian metal, also known as white metal, is a form of heavy metal music usually defined by its message in a song's lyrics as well as the band's dedication to Christianity...
band that formed in 1985 in Waukegan
Waukegan, Illinois
Waukegan is a city and county seat of Lake County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 87,901. The 2010 population was 89,078. It is the ninth-largest city in Illinois by population...
, IL releasing their first recording in the year 1987. Their early albums, which often invite comparisons to Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
, are laced with fast, technical guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
work. In 1994, bandleader, primary songwriter and producer Rex Carroll split with lead vocalist Scott Wenzel. Scott retained the use of the name "Whitecross" while Rex went on to form King James with Jimi Bennett (see below). At this point the band's sound underwent a drastic change, until Rex and Scott rejoined in 2000.
Whitecross has won three Dove Awards with Triumphant Return (in 1990) and In the Kingdom (in 1992) winning "Metal Album of the Year" and Come unto the Light from the Unveiled album winning "Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards
25th GMA Dove Awards
The 25th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on April 28, 1994 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1993. The show was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by Amy Grant.-Award recipients:*Artist of the Year...
in 1994.
In 1994 prior to work starting on the Unveiled album, guitarist Rex Carroll left to form the band King James
King James (band)
King James is a metal/rock supergroup formed in 1993 by guitarist Rex Carroll . He joined former Sacred Fire frontman, Jimi Bennett to form the band. Some time later, they recruited Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet, of Stryper, and released their first album in 1994. The band supported the album with...
and pursue other musical ventures. In 1998, singer Scott Wenzel took a two-year break to do mission
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
work in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. During this time, Whitecross went on hiatus before re-emerging at Cornerstone Festival in 2000 when Carroll and Wenzel reformed the "classic" lineup with Rex, Scott, Michael Feighan and newcomer Benny Ramos providing bass, keyboards and vocals. Finally having achieved a long-sought lineup stability, the band started performing on a regular basis.
In 2005, Carroll and Wenzel reunited to record Nineteen Eighty Seven, which featured re-recordings of nine of the ten songs from the band's self-titled debut album (You're Mine being the exclusion), as well as a re-recording of the song Love on the Line (previously unavailable on CD) and a new guitar instrumental by Rex Carroll.
On April 5, 2008, they played at the Legends of Rock festival in Ennepetal, Germany. Beginning in July 2008, they played the first of several short tours in Guatemala featuring shows in Guatemala City, Panajachel, Huehuetenango, among other cities.
On March 12, 2011, Rex made post on his Facebook page announcing that he is "working on some guitar tracks for new Whitecross songs" which is likely to be for their new album.
With Rex Carroll
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Whitecross Whitecross (album) Whitecross is the eponymous debut album from the Christian metal band Whitecross, released on September 5, 1987. It reached #17 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart. In 2010, HM Magazine listed Whitecross #29 on its Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time list stating that... |
1987 |
| Love on the Line (EP) Love on the Line (EP) Love on the Line: The 6.98 EP was a $6.98 EP recording from the Christian metal band Whitecross. It was never released on CD; it was only released on cassette tape & 12" vinyl record formats. Tracks 1 and 2 are new, and were never included on any future Whitecross albums . Tracks 3 and 4 are taken... |
1988 |
| Hammer & Nail Hammer & Nail Hammer & Nail is the second album from the Christian metal band Whitecross, released on May 23, 1988. It reached No. 15 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart... |
1988 |
| Triumphant Return Triumphant Return Triumphant Return is the third album from the Christian metal band Whitecross, released on January 31, 1989. It reached #13 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart... |
1989 |
| In the Kingdom In the Kingdom In the Kingdom was the fourth album by Christian metal band Whitecross. It reached #12 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart... |
1991 |
| High Gear High Gear (Whitecross album) High Gear was the fifth album by Christian metal band Whitecross. It reached No. 13 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart.-Track listing:#High Gear #Dancin' in Heaven #In America #Overdrive [instrumental]... |
1992 |
| Nineteen Eighty Seven Nineteen Eighty Seven Nineteen Eighty Seven was released in 2005 on Girder Records and is an album from the Christian metal band Whitecross. This album is the band's comeback album since they disbanded in 1998. This album also has Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll together again for the first time since 1992... |
2005 |
Without Rex Carroll
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| Unveiled Unveiled (Whitecross album) Unveiled was the sixth album by Christian metal band Whitecross, released in 1994. It reached No. 18 on Billboards Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart... |
1994 |
| Equilibrium Equilibrium (Whitecross album) Equilibrium was the seventh album by Christian metal band Whitecross, released in 1995.-Track list:#Faraway Places#Rubberneck#Collide#This One#Fallen#Balance#Plowed Me Down#Now#Full Crucifixion#Windows-Band members:*Scott Wenzel - Vocals... |
1995 |
| Flytrap Flytrap (Whitecross album) Equilibrium was the eighth album by Christian metal band Whitecross, released in 1996.-Track list:#Get Real#Amazing Love#Refuse to Lose#Eye to Eye#End of the Line#Say a Prayer#Already Done#Rev. 7#When He Comes#To My Surprise-Band members:... |
1996 |
| Unveiled (re-issue) | 2005 |
Compilations
| Album | Year |
|---|---|
| At Their Best At Their Best (Whitecross album) At Their Best is a compilation album from the Christian metal band Whitecross.-Track listing:#"Attention Please" – 3:55#"Looking For A Reason" – 3:32#"Straight Through The Heart" – 3:58#"Down" – 4:03#"Behold" – 4:38#"Shakedown" – 4:17... |
1991 |
| To the Limit To the Limit (album) To The Limit is a compilation album from the Christian metal band Whitecross. "It's My Life" and "You're My Lord" are previously unreleased songs. This was Rex Carroll's last album with Whitecross before moving on to King James and a solo record in between. Star Song, 1993... |
1993 |
| By Demand By Demand By Demand is a compilation album from the Christian metal band Whitecross. Release Date: 23 May 1995 by Star Song .-Track listing:#Attention Please #We Know What's Right #Take It To The Limit #Gonna Keep On... |
1995 |
| One More Encore One More Encore One More Encore is a live album from the Christian metal band Whitecross, released in 1998. It includes a studio remake of the song "No Second Chances".-Track listing:#Say a Prayer#No Second Chances #Good Bye Cruel World#Amazing Love... |
1998 |
| Mega 3 Collection Mega 3 Collection Mega 3 Collection is a 3-disc compilation set from the Christian metal band Whitecross. It combines the albums One More Encore, Equilibrium, and Unveiled into this one set... |
2005 |
| The Very Best of Whitecross The Very Best of Whitecross The Very Best of Whitecross is a compilation album from the Christian metal band Whitecross.-Track listing:#Enough Is Enough#Who Will You Follow?#When the Walls Tumble Down#Take It to the Limit#Down#Shakedown#Attention Please#Good Enough... |
2006 |
| Their Classic Hits | 2009 |
Videos
- The Reign Goes OnThe Reign Goes OnThe Reign Goes On is the only music video recording from the Christian metal band Whitecross. It was only available on the VHS video tape format and has been out of print for several years. The video album includes with concert, concept, behind-the-scenes and interview footage...
- 45 minute VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
, 1992 Star Song CommunicationsStar Song CommunicationsStar Song Communications is a Christian record label that was started in 1976 by Darrell Harris. It gained notoriety when it issued Resurrection Band's ground-breaking debut album, Awaiting Your Reply in 1978. Originally a distribution deal was made with Benson Records. From 1983 until 1986...
(extremely rare)
Current members
- Scott Wenzel - Lead Vocals (1985–present)
- Rex Carroll - Guitar and Vocals (1985–1993, 2000–present)
- Michael Feighan - Drums and Vocals] (1991–1995, 2000–present)
- Benny Ramos - Bass and Vocals (2000–present)
Former members
GuitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s
- Barry Graul (MercyMeMercyMeMercyMe is an American Christian rock band founded in Greenville, Texas. The band consists of vocalist Bart Millard, keyboardist James Bryson, percussionist Robby Shaffer, bassist Nathan Cochran and guitarists Michael Scheuchzer and Barry Graul....
) (1994–1995) - Quinton GibsonQuinton GibsonQuinton Gibson is a guitarist and a studio engineer/producer.Quinton studied at Bosse High School in Evansville and graduated 1986...
(1996)
Drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Mark Hedl (1987–1988)
- Mike Elliott (1989)
- Troy Stone (1996)
Bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Jon Sproule (1987–1988)
- Rick Armstrong (1989)
- Butch Dillon (1991)
- Scott Harper (1992–1993)
- Tracy FerrieTracy FerrieTracy Ferrie is one of two current bass players of Christian metal band Stryper. He was formerly the bass player for Michael Sweet's solo band and also a member of the bands Electrik, Sally Steele, Seraiah, Whitecross, Guardian, Rebecca St. James, Plumb, SONICFLOOd and Strange Celebrity...
(ex-StryperStryperStryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
) (1994–1995) - Brent Denny (1996)
| Whitecross | Hammer & Nail | Triumphant Return | In The Kingdom | High Gear | Unveiled | Equilibrium | Flytrap | Nineteen Eighty Seven | |
| Vocals | Scott Wenzel | ||||||||
| Guitars | Rex Carroll | Barry Graul | Quinton Gibson | Rex Carroll | |||||
| Drums | Mark Hedl | Mike Elliott | Mike Feighan | Troy Stone | Mike Feighan | ||||
| Bass | Jon Sproule | Rick Armstrong | Butch Dillon | Scott Harper | Tracy Ferrie | Brent Denny | Rex Carroll | ||
See also
- Contemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian musicContemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
- Glam metalGlam metalGlam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
- Heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
- RattRattRatt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...