| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Thrashback | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1988 / 2017 | Artist Website: Thrashback Records |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 57:12 |
Revelation was one of the best-kept secrets of the eighties ‘white metal’ scene. Bring up the topic and first names that come to mind include heavy hitters such as Stryper, Barren Cross, Bloodgood, Bride and Whitecross not to mention those lesser known (or at the very least not as prolific) in Messiah Prophet, Rage Of Angels, Armageddon and Neon Cross. In terms of those unsigned, an every bit wide array of names deserve note: Soldier, Apostle, Paradox, Crossforce, Armada, Taker and Revelation. It is disappointing Revelation are lumped with the latter as opposed to former in that they are one of the more talented bands from the period that (figuratively speaking) ‘ended up on the cutting room floor’ or represent (in terms of fish stories) ‘the one that got away’.
As far as being a ‘best-kept secret’, Revelation is similar to many from the time in that it traces to inauspicious beginnings- five high school friends that shared a love for Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The Jupiter, Florida based act got its start writing and rehearsing original material prior to sharing the stage with local acts Lady Sabre and Eden Rock in addition to those international such as Messiah Prophet and Barren Cross. A three song demo that followed in 1987, Visions, garnered the group favorable press and a growing fan base, while a year later, armed with an entire albums worth of material, it entered the studio with local producer Steven Miles to independently (and professionally) record its debut full length custom cassette release Spiritual Wind.
The Judas Priest comparison comes into play from how Revelation does not perform any type of ‘pop’, ‘glam’, ‘melodic’ or ‘hair’ metal but rather good old fashioned and in your face straightforward heavy metal. White Throne reviewer Doug Peterson had the right idea in his review of Spiritual Wind (issue 5 from 1988) when he described the group as ‘metal crunch delight and the guitars are the topping. This is real metal- tight and aggressive’.1 The Iron Maiden reference manifests from how Revelation features the Dickinson influenced (even if slightly) vocals of Mike Roy, whom brings a wide and expansive style capable of soaring for a high note or descend for some powerful, lower register rumbling at a moments notice.
Good news is that despite both being out of print and hard to find collectors items, Visions and Spiritual Wind were re-issued in early 2018 on Thrashback Records as a ‘30th Anniversary Edition’. As an added bonus, a DVD of the groups performance at Cornerstone 89 was included along with live versions to several unreleased tracks (performed at various South Florida venues) and behind the scenes footage.
Spiritual Wind is front loaded with its best material, starting with opening cut “Running Scared”. The song roars out of the gate to as identifiable a guitar riff as you will hear - du-dum-du-dum-dun-dun-du-du-dudum - and does not let up its length in conveying the traditional metal aptitude for power, energy and heaviness but without coming across overbearing (a Revelation staple). With its key joining of the technical and accessible, this one sets the stage for that which is to follow.
Hence, the slower and more varied track that is “Johnny”. Residing firmly within mid-paced territory, “Johnny” transitions its distance between moments forthright, as galloping riffs and an explosive rhythm section hold sway, and others that descend to a crawl, with guitar feedback and lighter guitars the focal point. An explosive lead guitar run carries things instrumentally.
I identify with the albums title track as a straight on metal ballad. With blowing wind and gently played guitars at the start, “Spiritual Wind” sets an emotional tone in drifting through its verses to prodigious bass, courtesy of Brad Brothen, and weighty guitars, which power in and out of the mix. As impetus builds, said guitars take a fixed position to bolster the sweeping but moving refrain. Roy’s lower register vocal performance aligns with the affecting scene.
“Young Warrior” fades in to spiritual warfare themed narration that speaks of, ‘leaving the darkness behind’ and to ‘take upon a journey that will lead us to the very gates of Heaven’. After that it is game on as the song turns into an in your face bruiser, with an opening drum solo (the work of timekeeper Richard Veitch is spot on throughout this one) giving way to muscular guitar riffs and the freight train impetus to match. Exultant, victorious and anthem like is the impression lefty by a cut that touches upon power metal territory (do I detect a hint of Sacred Warrior or Haven?).
“Children Of The City Night” represents this reviewer’s choice cut with its melodic propensities. Melodic being the key work from how the song manifests the catchy allure (not to mention tight guitar harmonies) to garner potential airplay - hooks, hooks and more hooks! - but otherwise mirrors a youthful high-energy act at the top of its game. If Revelation had signed with Atlantic Records, as almost happened per the Spiritual Wind liner notes, I can see this being the first single from any album it might have recorded.
Returning things to slower but heavier territory, “Fortress” emphasizes the mid-paced with its massive (almost doom-like) guitars and prodigious rhythm section (for its verses) but can also break out in exuberant fashion (upon procuring the vehement chorus). Instrumentally, Revelation pulls out all the stops as a blinding guitar solo leads to an outburst of riffs that approach speed metal territory (impetus returns to the mid-paced the rest of the way).
First six Spiritual Wind tracks would form the backbone to any quality eighties metal album. Imagine the heaviness to Saint merged with the technical acumen of Barren Cross, albeit Revelation brings a bit more continuity than the latter, but also noting it did not have to deal with the overly polished Elefante production either. Speaking of which, production sounds fine for a self-financed, independent release from the late eighties- I use the term ‘independent’ loosely in light of the professionalism at hand in that Spiritual Wind potentially challenges many label based releases from the time in terms of sound quality.
Since it had been several decades since I listened to Spiritual Wind (I purchases a cassette copy from the band back in the day), I was somewhat taken aback by the lounge style keyboards on “Stop The Rain”. Initially, I wondered if the group was ‘turning Barry Manilow’ on us, or, worse yet, I halfway expected to see Captain & Tennille listed among the guest performers in the liner notes. In all seriousness, “Stop The Rain” is musically a fine song - melody is haunting and resonance on the moving side - but I also find it difficult to see past the keyboards. Perhaps it might have translated better if taken in an acoustic or piano-based direction or at the very least placed at the end of the album to avoid interrupting the momentum of those that proceed and follow.
“Hunting The Devil” comes across in the form of a Christian metal anthem. With drum and bass solos at the start that give way to fragmenting guitars, the song grooves its distance in setting a perseverant tone (refrain exudes of full on muscle) and instrumental aptitude (another extended lead guitar run rounds things out). As we will see from the Cornerstone 89 footage, this one shines in a live setting!
Closer “Good Cause” ups impetus to heightened territory as the band again exudes its youthful energy. The song separates itself as a full on bruiser, with an imposing rhythm section standing alongside the non-stop and freight train like momentum to match. Only thing constructive is that refrain is phrased a bit awkwardly with its shouted - ‘Let’s Rock-n-Roll for a good cause’ - backing vocals (a bit too exuberant for my taste).
It would be suffice to say the Visions demo is a bit rough production wise in light of how the group only had four hours in which to record and mix it. Outside of that it is musically solid, with the title track featuring a spacey keyboard opening that gives way to crashing guitars and a vibrant tempo (of note is the catchy chorus) and “You’re Not Alone” piano and acoustic tinctures in setting a classic power ballad tone (this is the direction I wish “Stop The Rain” had taken). “Good Cause” also makes an appearance but is not significantly different from its Spiritual Wind counterpart minus the shouted backing vocals.
As for the DVD footage, I could write a completely separate review, but I am going to keep this brief as possible. The groups Cornerstone 89 performance, comprising rousing versions to six Spiritual Wind cuts, is tight and focused, although only one camera is used (off to the side but still able to clearly capture the action). My favorite moments include a near speed metal rendering of “Young Warrior” and further pronounced bass driven groove to “Hunting The Devil”.
Highlight to the DVD are unreleased tracks performed live, including a small club show in early 1989 to feature “Conquer The Night”, a melodic cut with an uplifted ‘He will conquer the night’ refrain. I can see this one easily being the tenth song on Spiritual Wind. A theater performance in April of 1988 includes “Open Heart”, a slower cut powered by trenchant guitar riffs, and “Revelation”, the groups take on a shred instrumental with a drum solo that keeps going and going and going (sort of like the Energizer Bunny).
Assigning a final grade to the Spiritual Wind re-issue proves problematic when factoring how it draws upon so many sources (demos, custom cassette releases, live footage, etc), but if I were to assign a final rating to the 9 Spiritual Wind cuts it would be a well deserved 85%. Hence, if like me and have been waiting decades for a Spiritual Wind re-issue (in an upgraded and professionally packaged form with original cover art, vintage band photos and detailed biography) then do not delay making it a priority purchase. To those not familiar with Revelation but are into any type of well-performed straightforward heavy metal are encouraged to check out the re-issue as well.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing (Spiritual Wind): “Running Scared” (3:52), “Johnny” (5:15), “Spiritual Wind” (6:08), “Young Warrior” (5:50), “Children Of The City Night” (3:43), “Fortress” (5:45), “Stop The Rain” (3:40), “Hunting The Devil” (4:21), “Good Cause” (4:57)
Track Listing (Visions): “Visions” (4:29), “You’re Not The Only One” (3:45), “Good Cause” (5:27)
Musicians
Mike Roy - Lead Vocals
Edwart Veitch - Guitars
Brian Shinn - Guitars
Brad Brothen - Bass
Richard Veitch – Drums
Endnotes
1. Doug Peterson, Spiritual Wind review, White Throne 5 (1989): 343
