Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By: Barren Cross
Record Label: Rugged / Retroactive	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 1994 / 2021	Artist Website: Barren Cross
Tracks: 12	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 46:19

Second and third Barren Cross albums Atomic Arena (1988) and State Of Control (1989) get all the attention, what with both being released on mainstream label Enigma Records, but to me, 1994 fourth album Rattle Your Cage is a more accurate indicator of the groups sound.  Yes, Atomic Arena features many of Barren Cross’ best songs - “Imaginary Music”, “Dead Lock” & “Living Dead” to name a few - not to mention receiving accolades in the form of an eleventh place finish in a Heaven’s Metal article outlining the top 100 Christian metal albums of all time.  State Of Control is potentially more consistent - not that it is without its share of heavy hitters such as “The Stage Of Intensity” and “2000 Years” - and home to added commercial and progressive themes.  That said both albums also impress as overproduced (at least to these ears) due to an inordinate emphasis on polish and backing vocals.

Not so on Rattle Your Cage due to backing from the gloss and luster in favor of a rawer sound that better captures the group’s inherent energy and deafening power.  Album sees the Barren Cross straight on metal disposition further embellish as a result, although the group continues to emphasize variety in the form of occasional tinctures towards thrash and melodic metal.  Placed alongside, Rattle Your Cage also highlights its share of top-notch songwriting moments - including some of Barren Cross’ finest songs in my opinion - while walking a fine line between Atomic Arena and State Of Control in terms of consistency, albeit not without a couple filler tracks.

An out of print and hard to find collectors item, Rattle Your Cage was re-issued in the spring of 2021 on Retroactive Records.  Similar to Atomic Arena and State Of Control, whom received the Retroactive re-issue treatment a year previous, Rattle Your Cage was re-mastered (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) in addition to featuring a multi-page mini booklet home to vintage band photos and lyrics in an easy to read font (noting the work of Scott Waters of No LifeTil Metal graphics).  Added bonus comes in the form of new (improved) cover art and cool Barren Cross trading card.

Colwell re-mastering improves upon already solid production in bringing Rattle Your Cage up to modern standards.  A fuller and deeper sound lends to greater guitar driven crunch and more defined backing details such as crisper bass and cleaner guitar leads. 

Album starts strongly to its imperative title track.  “Rattle Your Cage” reveals as straightforward metal, unveiling the driving rhythms and gargantuan guitars to go in hand, but also embodies a melodic side, divulging catchy hooks of a conspicuous form.  One cannot deny how the Dickinson like qualities of front man Mike Lee helps invite the Barren Cross comparison to Iron Maiden.

“Here I Am” mirrors the Barren Cross commercial side but in a positive sense.  No doubt, the song does not back from the metal sentiments - rhythm guitar bites with authority - but also smoothes for a decidedly melodic refrain to see keyboards play a glistening role.  Halfway in and impetus slows as acoustic guitar temporarily holds sway.  Lyric snippet:

I've been a fool Lord, can you forgive me for what l have done
I've been living my life by my own rules, l walked away from Your holy Son
Oh God now l finally realize that there is only one thing l can do
I repent from my sin, set me free once again, Lord myself l present unto you

Here l am, take all of me,
Send Your almighty power to come over me
Here l am. Take all of me,
You have given me everything I’ll ever need
Forgive me  

“Unsuspecting” is a quintessential Barren Cross style metal stomper.  Song abrades from the get go, animated as Jim LaVerde’s bass tramples the low end and Lee’s snarling vocal delivery plays every bit the biting role.  In the end, not the catchiest song but exuding the type of power and energy to bring to mind Atomic Arena cut “In The Eye Of The Fire” (very good company indeed).

Jumping ahead in the track listing, “Sick” is in similar vein but heavier and slower.  It proves three and a half minutes of bludgeoning metal, furrowing its span as a pervasive low end and churlish guitars combine to make a near thrash influenced statement.  I identify with “Sick” as a companion track to “Unsuspecting” in that it also does not bring the most immediately engaging hooks but does not lack authority either.  Lyric snippet:

Life for me is so nice and locked up well
Gideon's Bible's all l got in my cell
Reading is much better than suicide
But hell, l ain't ready, to meet God when l die

Realize that there's a God in the sky
Realize it from the tears in my eyes
No more blindness, no more sickness
Forgive me. Enter me. Save me

“Feed The Fire” stands alongside “Rattle Your Cage” with its heaviness and melody inclining.  I appreciate the contrasting up-tempo mentality, with rhythms on the agile side and emotion approaching the intense for the combative verse sections but evening upon procuring the bombastic refrain to incline towards the heated.  Ray Parris stands out with his harmony driven soloing.

“Let It Go Let It Die” is an acoustic ballad in similar vein as “Light The Flame” (off 1986 debut Rock For The King).  Song gracefully drifts from the start in big melody form, with emotional acoustic tinctures melding with Lee’s poignant vocals and Parris’ every bit moving lead guitar.  Re-mastering helps keyboards at the two-minute mark stand out that much cleaner.  Lyric snippet:

I justified my angry life each and every day
But as time went on, His Spirit was gone
Alone and bitter and my God so far away

But Jesus told me let it go and let it die
I paid for that brothers wrongs with My life
And then he told me let go let it die

You got to forgive, you got to forgive
You got to forgive or you'll die inside

“Time For Love” is first of what this reviewer considers two of Barren Cross’ finest songs.  It effortlessly flows front to back to some of the catchiest guitar rhythms you will hear, darkly tinctured in comparison to much of the Rattle Your Cage material but also home to a melodic lower register groove to keep you attention with repeat listen.  Barren Cross has not delivered hooks of this capacity since the previously noted “Dead Lock”. 

At the more upbeat tempo is second “Midnight Son”.  With LaVerde’s melodic bass leading the way, the song auspiciously eases through its elaborate verse sections on the way to a flashy refrain layered with some of the most engaging vocal melodies you will hear.  “Midnight Son” in the process captures some of the light progressiveness exhibited on Atomic Arena and State Of Control.  Lyric snippet:

I wasn't feelin' to well- a little hotter than hell
And it was right about the midnight hour
Saw a fisherman - he put his catch in my hand
My soul was shaken just like lightning and thunder
I saw a look in his eyes. It burned a hole in my mind
The Son was rising, it was midnight baby
I felt a surge in me, down to my knees, shakin' me

All night, my heart was really crying I’ve been on my own
Midnight, broken love had found me, now I’m goin home

I find album to take a slight step down on four remaining cuts.  Good is “No Time To Run”, high energy with its acoustic melodic hard rock facets to feature understated hooks and delicate rhythm guitars, and “Somewhere Far Away”, also traversing melodic hard rock territory in drifting between an acoustic bent and rhythm guitar to taste.  Filler territory with “J.R.M.” to see mirthful (but also a bit silly) groove flavorings struggle to set a defining tone, and “Your Will” in taking a worshipful (but also overdone) semi-ballad heading to see acoustic guitar and orchestration hold sway.

Barren Cross proves on Rattle Your Cage that it remains in prime form despite a five year hiatus between albums.  Group has not lost its songwriting touch when factoring albums better material, while same applies from a vocal and musicianship standpoint.  Yes, the album might be inconsistent at times, but it otherwise embodies the straight on metal albeit with variety Barren Cross sound.  If you missed Rattle Your Cage back in the day or are interested in a highly upgraded version then make the Retroactive re-issue a priority purchase.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Rattle Your Cage” (4:19), “Here I Am” (3:30), “Unsuspecting” (3:58), “No Time To Run” (3:36), “Sick” (3:28), “Somewhere Far Away” (2:53), “Feed The Fire” (3:38), “Let It Go Let It Die” (4:50), “Time For Love” (3:11), “J.R.M.” (3:52), “Your Will” (3:47), “Midnight Son” (5:18)

Musicians
Mike Lee - Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Ray Parris - Guitars
Jim LaVerde - Bass & Acoustic Guitar
Steve Whitaker - Drums