Whitecross

    Whitecross

    Waukegan, Illinois18 reviews across 11 releases

    glam metalhard rockheavy metalmelodic rock
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    Whitecross formed in Waukegan, Illinois, in 1985 and emerged from the early Christian heavy-metal scene with a sound built on fast guitar work, hard-rock hooks, and direct Gospel lyrics. Rex Carroll's playing gave the band its most recognizable feature: extended, technically demanding solos set against riffs influenced by Ratt, Led Zeppelin, blues rock, and later Van Halen. The 1987 debut established the formula, while Hammer and Nail made the production larger and the songwriting more polished. By In the Kingdom in 1991, Whitecross was experimenting with pop-metal hooks, piano ballads, rap-influenced passages, and choir-like choruses without abandoning its aggressive core. The songs remained plainly evangelistic, but the records increasingly tested how far the band could move from speed-metal guitar showcase toward mainstream hard rock.

    Rex Carroll left in 1994 to form King James, and Scott Wenzel continued Whitecross with a new lineup on Unveiled. The change was substantial: reviewers heard a more cohesive band, with Barry Graul on guitar and a tighter hard-rock sound replacing Carroll's dominant solo presence. Equilibrium followed in 1995 with the same core personnel, while Flytrap in 1996 introduced Quinton Gibson, Brent Denney, and Troy Stone and moved toward warmer, smoother production. Whitecross went on hiatus in 1998 when Wenzel left for mission work in Paraguay. Carroll and Wenzel reunited the band in 2000, later recording Nineteen Eighty Seven in 2005. Carroll and Michael Feighan also participated in Revival with Guardian members in 2017. David Roberts replaced Wenzel as vocalist in 2020, and Whitecross released Fear No Evil in 2024.

    11 releases reviewed