Formed in Los Angeles in 1983, Barren Cross produced a powerful brand of classic metal that carried a strong Christian message alongside such contemporaries as Stryper, Bloodgood and Sacred Warrior.
Having independently released their debut EP ‘Believe’ in 1985 and quickly followed that with their first full length album 'Rock For The King' via Star Song Records, Barren Cross signed to Enigma Records.
Featured on the influential 'California Metal' compilation, the band delivered a classy release with 'Atomic Arena' that earned vocalist Michael Lee favourable comparisons to Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson.
Follow up album 'State of Control' saw the band tour heavily and cultivate a fanbase that went beyond the confines of the Christian scene as a result. This release features two bonus tracks, one of which, 'Your Love Gives', was originally only available on the version distributed to Christian bookstores.
This release features exclusive liner notes from respected writer Kevin Stewart-Panko who conducted a new in-depth interview with singer Mike Lee (now known as Michael Drive).
'Atomic Arena' has been named by Heaven's Metal magazine as the No.11 Christian Metal Album of All Time, while 'State of Control' placed at No.32 on the CMR Top 100 Christian Metal Albums list.
DISC 1:
Atomic Arena
1. Imaginary Music
2. Killers Of The Unborn
3. In The Eye Of The Fire
4. Terrorist Child
5. Close To The Edge
6. Dead Lock
7. Cultic Regimes
8. Heaven Or Nothing
9. King Of Kings
10. Living Dead
DISC 2:
State Of Control
1. State Of Control
2. Out Of Time
3. Cryin’ Over You
4. A Face In The Dark
5. The Stage of Intensity
6. Hard Lies
7. Inner War
8. Love At Full Volume
9. Bigotry Man (Who Are You)
10. Two Thousand Years
11. Your Love Gives*
12. Escape In The Night*
*Bonus tracks