| Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Lost Jewels | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 7 | Rating: No Quote |
| Running Time: 26:11 |
Looking for an independent eighties metal band with recognizable name appeal and faith based lyrics? Southern California based Zur Gabriel meets expectation from featuring bassist and lead vocalist James Salters, better known from fronting 1992 The Brave debut Battle Cries, and guitarist Tony Quinn, whom has worked with The Tony Quinn Band, Innocent Heart and The Corporate Band Sequel to name a few. With ‘Zur’ biblical for ‘rock’ and ‘Gabriel’ standing for ‘man of God’, Zur Gabriel was founded by the two in 1984 ahead of recording in 1985 its 4-track self-titled debut custom cassette 3-song EP with guitarist Gerard Medicis and drummer Neil Egan. Subsequent to the departure of Medicis and Egan, Salters and Quinn regrouped with new drummer Andy Bacon and in 1986 released its second self-titled custom cassette demo, which while also 4-track featured instead four songs. Salters, who sadly passed away in 2025, joined The Brave following the demos release with Zur Gabriel disbanding soon thereafter.
It goes without saying that Zur Gabriel delivers eighties influenced melodic metal and hard rock - hair-glam-pop metal if you will - for fans of Guardian, Fear Not, Stryper, Holy Soldier, Angelica, Soldier, Neon Cross and a host of others from the era. The group fits the image far as the period concerns, noting how the mini booklet included as part of the February of 2026 Lost Jewels Records reissue to both demos under the appropriate title Demos: 1985-1986 features promo pictures with its members bedecked in striped spandex pants and bandanas galore. Leather vests, studs, teased hair and the picture is complete!
Musically, Zur Gabriel stays every bit true to the sign of the times as found in opening 1985 demo track “Standing In The Battle Line”. A spiritual warfare anthem, song proves a keyed up hard charger, surging to aggressive bass and pulsating riffs over Salters distinctive laced with grit classic tenor voice. Layered backing vocals allow the forthwith hooks to further stand out. Lyric snippet:
Don’t let the thief devour your soul
He will kill you if you let your weakness show
Don’t’ be afraid to die, lift your sword up high
Yes, were standing in the battle line
Beware of the darkness, guard your mind
There’s no truth in him, he’s the father of lies
Don’t be afraid to die, lift your swords up high
Yes, were standing in the battle line
Book of Revelation themed follow up cut “Seven Thunders” tempers to an unwavering mid-paced groove. An underlining blues element rises to the surface in the process - identifying the shuffling low end - as does a climactic manifesting, revealed in the staggering ‘seven thunders crashing their reply’ refrain. Helping things further separate are guitar tones that remind of Daniel Band 1982 debut On Rock.
Closing the debut demo is this reviewer’s choice cut, “Knee To The King”. The six-minute epic opens its first seconds regally to stilly done guitar ahead of expanding force as rhythm guitar surges in, a progressive like semi ballad variation found in the periodic revisiting to a calmer direction- back and forth and back again. Refrain touching upon a worshipful slant finds Salters expanding his range and exhibiting the talent leading to him joining The Brave. I particularly take to the melancholic instrumental interlude closing the final two minutes. Lyric snippet:
Don’t’ build your castles on the sand
Build on the rock you holy man
Don’t’ be a dreamer in disguise
Where there’s a shadow there’s a light
Kneel to the King, Kneel to the King
His holy word says every man will
Kneel to the King
In my opinion, the three Demo 85 tracks find Zur Gabriel at the top of its game- sign the group and add seven songs of equal quality and you end up with quite the notable debut album. As expected, there is some production thinness when factoring the demo was independently recorded using mid-eighties technology, but it is by no means muddy and unlistenable either. Also, not to nit pick, but the CD reissue inexplicably begins to the four songs from Demo 86- for the purpose of continuity it would make better sense to start with the three from the debut instead.
As for Demo 86, it takes a step down production wise but is also still listenable. That said, and to be completely fair and according to the band history accompanying the CD mini booklet, the group recorded it over a weekend in Tony Quinns’s garage with the purpose of floating it around to find another guitarist, so they did not have a lot of time to ‘tweak’ the mix or get everything ‘just right’.
Second demo initiates strongly with “Wondering Stars”, a three and half minute high-energy melodic heavy metal cut. Force is tempestuous and hooks tersely done, as Zur Gabriel puts its composite licks and chops on unwavering display. Yet, a moderate side to the group reveals in the equal portions of melodic harmonies to carry the songs length. Impression is heavier material from Messiah Prophet and Neon Cross. Lyric snippet:
Tormented by the tempter, ruler of the dark
He is the arch deceiver, with malignant works
Prince of the devil, enemy of the cross
Blinded by his lies now they can’t see their loss
But there’s an ambassador a soldier most high
He’s willing to give to you the spirit of might
His name is Jesus, Jesus Christ
“Backstabber” ensues as a high impact boogie flavored hard rock akin Guardian and Stryper. Song accordingly emphasizes an electrifying low end as bass slams with authority and drums build upon the relentless disposition. Quinn proves himself no small talent with his left to right channel burly leads.
“Knock At Your Door” separates as a stylish acoustic blues rocker, meandering its swamp like length to a disconsolate mindset as vocals reach for the soulful and guitar a gravelly form. Melody is on high with an invigorating but magnetic form lending to potential radio play. I sense a Red Sea flair on this one. Lyric snippet:
I know that you’ve been hurt so much before
But there’s no reason to cry anymore
The answer is here you’ve been looking for
There’s a knock at your door
You must hasten when you hear His voice
Your time has come now make that choice
You can do what you could not do before
There’s a knock at your door
Closing Demo 86 is instrumental “The Awakening”, two and half minutes of moody guitar harmonies and bluesy leads meshed with acoustic tincturing. Perhaps it is the seventies nuances or laid back vestiges, but I am reminded of certain instrumental moments to 1978 Resurrection Band debut Awaiting Your Replay.
Give credit to Lost Jewel Records for making the two Zur Gabriel demos available after being virtually impossible to find the past forty years- I am uncertain of the group made them commercially available to begin with. Yes, music sounds dated in terms of the eighties metal and hard rock inclining, but when well performed - and such is the case here - it is always good to hear again. Zur Gabriel founding members James Salters and Tony Quinn proves themselves of more than above average ability, found in respective high level vocal and guitar performances despite a revolving lineup between demos. If a fan of eighties melodic metal and hard rock I strong encourage picking up Demos: 1985-1986.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Standing In The Battle Line” (3:23), “Seven Thunders’ (3:54), “Kneel To The King” (6:15), “Wandering Stars” (3:36), “Backstabber” (2:47), “Knock At Your Door” (3:40), “The Awakening “(2:35)
Musicians
James Salters - Lead Vocals & Bass
Tony Quinn - Guitars
Bill Hawkin - Guitars
Gerard Medicis - Guitars
Neil Egan - Drums
Andy Bacon - Drums
