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    Heaven's Metal #20/Ransom
    Ransom — Once And For All cover

    Ransom

    Once And For All

    (1988)

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    Discogs
    Label independentHeaven's Metal #20July/August 1989
    glam metalhard rockheavy metalmelodic metal

    Ransom's Lisa Faxon proves that girls can sing metal/hard rock. I guess I always knew they could, because of Ann Wilson of Heart, but I'd definitely never heard a female voice I really liked in Christian metal/hard rock. Lisa's vocals are powerful and gritty, without cracking or possessing only half a range.

    "Sin Killer", the cut from the Cal Metal 2 album, is a hot tune, showing off Ransom's potential as a band. Everything's here: they've got good guitar chops; background vocals similar to Cinderella (sounds like "Save Me"); a tight rhythm section; and powerful vocals.

    The last song, "To Be Like You", sounds very much like a Guns 'n' Roses ballad. Of course, Lisa's voice sounds a lot cleaner than Axl's, but Tony Dierdren's guitar picking is beautiful. Sometimes ballads are the best, if you somehow pack tons of emotion into it. This song is worshipful, which gives it an extra dimension--the presence of God for those who enter in.

    This is one of the better quality demos out.

    Other coverage for this album

    Adonai Metal Rock #3Reviewed by Daniel BaillodTranslated from the original French And you thought that female vocals were not worth as much as male vocals...?!! Think again, because Lisa Faxon, RANSOM's singer, has a metal voice, and she knows how to sing!!!... Woaw! What a voice!! Just listen to "Sticks And Stones"!!... Yeah, now those are quality vocals!! RANSOM's sound is heavy, but very melodic. Their music is solid, nicely four-square,…

    More from Ransom

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    Also in Heaven's Metal #20

    1987Steel VengeancePrisoners1990SpikeAlive And Ticking1988Red SkyToday Is The Future1989TestimonyHe's Alive1987Jeremy MorrisOpen Your Heart1988The WakeRock And Roll