Reviewed by Tony Cummings

One to shake the metal purist. The two year wait may have forewarned the hardcore head-bangers that musical changes were afoot but few could have been ready for one of the hardest and heaviest teams in Christendom's move into AOR territory on some of the tracks here. "Love Is Our Weapon" could have come straight off a Petra album while one or two of the ballads seem positively wimpish to these ears. But on more than half the album White-cross lay in down as of old "Good Enough" and "We Know What's Right" feature Van Halenish rhythms, funky guitar runs and Rush like sudden rests while the opener "No Second Chances' sounds like the band we know and love, with huge drums, good vocal hooks and guitar runs from old warhouse Rex Carroll that spit fire. The obligator guitar instrumental track "The Eternal Fire" isn't quite as dazzling as those on the first three albums and the move into Petrafied Elefante territory will worry hardcore moshers. But this is still an exciting rock gospel album. And I loved that metal rap up (with DOC) on "Holy War".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.