| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1985 / 2021 | Artist Website: Golgatha |
| Tracks: 4 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 12:37 |
The San Francisco Bay Area was one of the leading players within the burgeoning eighties ‘white metal’ scene having produced such well-known acts as Soldier, Crossforce and Valor. Soldier blended melodic and straightforward heavy metal on the critically acclaimed custom cassette releases Louder Than Hell and Babylon it put out in 1986 and 1988, respectively, while Crossforce pursued similar musical leanings on its six-song self-titled demo EP from 1986. Valor took a heavier and more aggressive semi-thrash metal stance on the 1988 full-length vinyl offering Fight For Your Life it released via White Stone Records.
What each band has in common is featuring founding members of an every bit influential Bay Area act in Golgatha. Soldier included as part of its lineup late drummer Al Whalen and Crossforce late vocalist Tony Crider, while Valor comprised bassist and vocalist Adam Alvarez. With guitarist Gary Gladson rounding out its roster, Golgatha came together in 1984 with the goal to write New Wave of British Heavy Metal music in order to present the Gospel of the New Testament. Hence, the musical and lyrical direction to the group’s 1985 four-song custom cassette EP entitled Prisoner.
Good news is that despite being an out of print and hard to find collectors item for decades, Prisoner was re-issued by the group in December of 2021 and available as a download at its website.
Opener “Prisoner” accurately captures the Golgatha traditional metal sound. With drum solo to start, albums title track proves an unflagging cruncher as guitars dig with full force and low-end bites with intensity, all the while Crider impresses with his powerful but melodic mid-ranged vocal abilities. Put “Prisoner” on any early Saint album and it would sound at home.
Likewise, “Foot Of The Cross” with its open-air guitars and falsetto opening ensued by the militant (and quite catchy) riffs to uphold its remaining distance. A darker vestige manifests in the process, revealed in the lower register vocals and seething ‘Peace can be found at the foot of the cross. You will kneel in His presence. Your life will be changed’ refrain. Gladson tops things off with an intense stretch of lead guitar.
“Follow Me” takes a more melodic heading with its semi-ballad touch. Haunting is the feel as acoustic guitar over Alvarez’s compact bass compels the first gently done minute, with urging guitars sweeping in to push momentum to a catchy chorus with a surprisingly commercial bent (by far albums most accessible). Of note is Whalen’s commanding drum presence- I always felt he did a notable job with Soldier, but as part of Golgatha - and perhaps this is due to differences in musical style - takes opportunity to stretch with a bit more technical acumen.
Albums shortest at two and a half minutes, “Cry Of The Heathen” rushes forward at a near speed metal clip to a coalescing of breakneck riffs and engaging harmonies as Crider victorious exclaims, ‘Hear the thunder and lightning. Every living creature will see. There is only One who can set you free’. Vehement guitars leads carry the keyed-up instrumental run.
Prisoner equates to a short but capably done demo EP. Each of its four songs separates with needed variety - notable melodies and hooks stand out in the process - while musicianship proves equally adept (I understand why Crider, Whalen and Alvarez went on to such success with the successive bands). Production might not be of the big budget variety but sounds fine for a self-financed release recorded using mid-eighties studio technology. If Golgatha had signed a label deal and followed up with a full-length album or two, fans and critics alike would mention it in the same sentence with contemporaries Saint, Barren Cross, Bloodgood and Bride. In the meantime, make the Prisoner EP a priority addition to your collection.
Track Listing: “Prisoner” (2:45), “Foot Of The Cross” (3:18), “Follow Me” (4:58), “Cry Of The Heathen” (2:25)
Musicians
Tony Crider – Lead Vocals
Gary Gladson - Guitars
Adam Alvarez - Bass & Vocals
Albert (Al) (Bert) Whalen - Drums
