| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 43:12 |
Chosen Stranger more than holds its own in the eighties melodic metal and hard rock segments. The group traces to co-founding members and brother’s guitarist Rusty Ellison and drummer Jeff Ellison, whom by the time they were 15 started playing bars and writing music but later won several talent contests and garnered local radio play. Whereas such success occurred before either gave their lives to God, Rusty and Jeff came to the faith in the early 80s and soon started using their talents to form a hard rock ministry, which led to the formation of Chosen Stranger.
Chosen Stranger went on to open for Barren Cross, Bloodgood and Whitecross, with the Whitecross connection leading to a friendship between the brothers and legendary guitarist Rex Carroll. Carroll proceeded to put Chosen Stranger in a studio with a small budget, but as often happened with talented bands back in the day, Chosen Stranger disbanded without having signed a label deal. Prior to breaking up, however, the group completed work on several recording projects, including two 7” singles in 1986 and placing the song “So Glad” on the Underground Metal compilation from 1988. A pair of custom cassette demo EPs followed in 1989 and 1992, respectively, Chosen Stranger and Deathwalker.
Good news is that in the spring of 2023 Roxx Records re-mastered (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) and re-released the bands back catalog under the title Chosen Stranger. A mini booklet with biography, montage of band photos and cassette cover scans and lyrics to the Deathwalker demo attributes to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics. Lone constructive comment - and I hate to nitpick - but I wish the booklet made room for lyrics to all of the songs, while cover art is somewhat on the plain side.
Despite drawing its material from multiple sources, Chosen Stranger presents with solid continuity in leaving the impression the group recorded each of its eleven tracks for a singular album, as opposed to a compiling of songs from separate projects. I attribute this to stability in the group’s lineup, noting how vocalist Russ Atteberry joins the brothers as constants in the Chosen Stranger roster, with lone turnover being the replacement of bassist Dan Grover with Kevin Dunke for the Deathwalker demo.
Chosen Stranger delivers as advertised eighties melodic metal and hard rock I might describe as just north of Stryper, Angelica, Guardian and Holy Soldier. Hence, musical direction to the four songs making up the debut Chosen Stranger demo, including opener “He Won’t Hurt You”. Smooth and polished is the feel to the song, revealed in the endless hooks and pristine harmonies setting the commercial to remainder of the group’s material. Of particular note is how Atteberry impresses with his precise and polished classic tenor vocal abilities.
Subsequent cut “I Wanna Be Like You” might be groups shortest at three minutes but is not lacking upbeat energy and every bit manifest melody. Consider the gripping vocal melodies that refuse to be denied, not to mention radiant guitars commanding the focused instrumental moments. I can see this fitting on any early Stryper album.
“Living It Up” elevates heaviness in touching upon straightforward hard rock territory. Despise a fitting bluesy edge prevailing in terms of earthy guitars and soulful vestiges, the Chosen Stranger pop sensibilities maintain a prominent focus as found in the non-stop hook driven refrain that refuses to go away. Rusty Ellison stands out with a stretch of rough and tumble lead guitar.
With Dan Grover’s bass solo to start, “Guilty (To The Crime Of Love)” upholds the metal edges with crisp rhythm guitar (highlighting the demos surprisingly refined production) joining with upbeat energy and occasional backend cowbell. The more commercial material to Canada’s Daniel Band comes to mind in the process.
Of the 7” singles, “Lonely World” sets a melodic hard rock tone with a choice bass line and accenting keyboards aligning for an AOR tinged radio friendly quality. The Chosen Stranger burnished vocal melodies again reign supreme, as does its intrinsic emphasizing of the accessible.
The same applies to second single “The Light”, which is certain to draw in with its instant melody in addition to a heavier guitar focus mirroring a hard rock ardor, with an even joining of muscle and compelling the upshot. What we have is one of several songs helping define the signature smooth as it gets but not to fault Chosen Stranger sound.
Opening Deathwalker track “Forgiveness” is one of the bands finest. It exudes a rawer guitar emphasis of a hard rock nature, resonating a bluesy quality found in Jeff Ellison’s larger than life drum sound (noting the cowbell backing the persuasive refrain) and Atteberry’s earthy vocals (reminding somewhat of John Schlitt). Early nineties Bride could not do it any better. Lyric snippet:
I was reading first John, Chapter 1, Verse 9
If I confess m sin to Him, then He’ll forgive me of
Every wrong and start fresh again
Though we’ve trampled His innocent blood
And slapped the very face of God
He turned his cheek, He’s so unique
He chose to forgive us
“Waste Of Time” slows tempo with a thicker and weightier sound. It highlights muscular guitars and pulsating bass but without coming across repetitive, as revealed in the immediately recognizable melody - chorus hook is literally off the charts - and refreshing disposition lending understated commercial affections. When at its best, Chosen Stranger is heavy but not to fault. Lyric snippet:
Got myself a party going
Pretty girls, this is the life
A friend of mine he dropped out of sight
He called tonight, says he’s giving Christ a try
His girlfriend told him find another
He hid his face and began to cry
Said she’d come back
If he’s turn away from his new life
He said no I can’t deny
Mid-paced metal cut “Follow The Leader” touches upon the laid back and reserved, easy going as flowing guitar harmonies interweave with its relaxed verse sections and every bit composed for the accomplished refrain instilled with glistening vocal melodies. I sense a touch of Petra on this one. Lyric snippet:
I buried my dad today
My heart’s filled with sorrow
He said with his drying breath
Son, it’s the Lord you must follow
How these words echoed through my mind
I heard my father say these words to me
Time after time, time after time
“Deathwalker” is this reviewer’s choice from the band. Song kicks in at once to a high-energy tempo and fails to let up, exploding in vibrant fashion to shouted-backing vocals and keyed up rhythm section to extent straight on metal comes to mind. Consider the periodic Halford-like screams and blazing licks and chops throughout. I wish the group recorded a couple more along this line. Lyric snippet:
The gift of life is all around you
But you see through disbelieving eyes
People come to you with words of life
You’re cold as ice
Seems you’d rather lair the night
You love the night
And refuse the life
You love the night
Deathwalker
Your body lives but your spirit is not alive
Underground Metal cut “So Glad” is also good in lending an AOR-ish tinge in comparison. Acoustic guitar and airy keyboards to start give way to a forward momentum emanating of the worshipful - noting the ‘so glad that I believe, so glad I’ve been redeemed’ refrain - and inspiring disposition certain to build you up at once. Note is how Atteberry’s vocals bring to mind Matthew Ward (Second Chapter Of Acts). Lyric snippet:
Now our new life has just begun.
No more death will we ever see.
And now Jesus will rule and reign.
So that justice will finally be.
Though He wished for all to come,
Most rejected and cursed His name.
But He died for them anyway
Leaving only themselves to blame.
Chosen Stranger succeeds with a unique continuity in that despite drawing its material from diverse sources, it impresses as a singular whole with each of its eleven songs combining for a logical track listing. In other words, it feels less like a compilation album and more like one made up of material recorded for an exclusive project. As for the songs, I appreciate the refined but not to fault Chosen Stranger melodic metal and hard rock sound with each standing on its own and none skip worthy. Lone constructive commentary is that a bit more thought could have gone into packaging. Overall, give credit to Roxx Records for making another long lost gem available, noting similar type releases it has released from Omega, Judea and Chariot.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “He Wont’ Hurt You” (3:50), “I Wanna Be Like You” (3:03), “Living It Up” (3:18), “Guilty (To The Crime Of Love)” (3:45), “Lonely World” (4:01), “The Light” (4:01), “Forgiveness” (3:46), “Waste Of Time” (3:49), “Follow The Leader” (5:01), “Deathwalker” (4:02), “So Glad” (4:35)
Musicians
Russ Atteberry - Lead Vocals
Rusty Ellison - Guitars
Dan Grover - Bass & Keyboards
Kevin Dunkel - Bass
Jeff Ellison - Drums
