RECON - BEHIND ENEMY LINES / 1990 AND REVIEWS

THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(10-TRACKS)
1-IN THE BEGINNING
2-LOST SOLDIER
3-ANCIENT OF DAYS
4-CHOOSE THIS DAY
5-DREAMS
6-TAKE US AWAY
7-HOLY IS THE LORD
8-ALIVE!
9-ETERNAL DESTINY
10-BEHIND ENEMY LINES
RECON-BEHIND ENEMY LINES-1991
















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(13-TRACKS)
1-IN THE BEGINNING
2-LOST SOLDIER
3-ANCIENT OF DAYS
4-CHOOSE THIS DAY
5-DREAMS
6-TAKE US AWAY
7-HOLY IS THE LORD
8-ALIVE!
9-ETERNAL DESTINY
10-BEHIND ENEMY LONE
11-FINAL WORDS
12-LIGHT THE FIRE
13-DREAMS(ANOTHER TAKE)
CREDIT:
John Christianson -Drums
Mike Grato -Bass
George Ochoa -Lead, Rhythm,And Acoustic Guitars
Vett Roberts -Lead Vocals
Eddie Starline -Rhythm Guitars.
This Is An Japeness Edition That Was Released
By Teichiku records.
RECON-BEHIND ENEMY LINES-2001















THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(17-TRACKS)
1-IN THE BEGINNING
2-LOST SOLDIER
3-ANCIENT DAYS
4-CHOOSE THIS DAY
5-DREAMS
6-TAKE US AWAY
7-HOLY IS THE LORD
9-ALIVE!
10-ETERNAL DESTINY
11-BEHIND ENEMY LINES
12-JOHN 1:17
13-LIGHT THE FIRE(Re-Issue Bonus Track)
14-LIGHT THE FIRE(DEMO)Re-Issue Bonus Track)
15-DREAMS(DEMO)Re-Issue Bonus Track)
16-ALIVE(DEMO)Re-Issue Bonus Track)
17-ETERNAL DESTINY(DEMO)Re-Issue Bonus Track)
This CD was re-released in 2001 on Magdalene Records
with 7 bonus track noted below.
RECON-RECON-1989
















THI DEMO CONTAIN(4-TRACKS)
1-LIGHT THE FIRE
2-DREAMS
3-ALIVE!
4-ETERNAL DESTINY
RECON-RECON-1990
















THIS DEMO CONTAIN(4-TRACK)
1-BEHIND ENEMY LINES
2-DREAMS
3-TAKE US AWAY
4-ALIVE
5-LIGHT THE FIRE

















Released in 1990, Behind Enemy Lines was the debut album from Christian metal band Recon. The band played a thrash-based style of American power metal similar to bands like (early) Queensryche, (early) Fates Warning, Crimson Glory, Apocrypha and Helstar. On the Christian side of the house, the band shared similarities (and personnel at times) with Deliverance and Vengeance Rising. Recon's style owes a lot to early Queensryche and Fates Warning, more because of vocalist Vett Roberts's high octave delivery than any real progressive metal elements. The band was a little late to adopt the American power metal sound, but just in time to adopt the rapid fire riffing of the emerging thrash metal scene. The musicianship is tight, the vocals stand out, and the songs are well written. Recon may not have been a terribly original band, but they definitely delivered the goods. The band's lyrics are obviously Christian in nature, but in a more epic, conceptual kind of way. Their intentions are never mistaken, but they don't have that Sunday school, preaching to the choir approach that a lot of other Christian bands took. As such, the music should be fairly accessible to non-Christian listeners. Behind Enemy Lines was Recon's only studio album, though the band members would go on to other projects with Vengeance Rising and Mortification. This is one of the better Christian metal albums I've heard (and I've heard my share), and it's got enough going on for it that it should appeal to a wider metal audience as well, assuming anyone can find a copy. Picture a heavy Queensryche (a la Queen of the Ryche) doing Christian metal and you get Recon! One of the best progressive albums ever made IMO. I love the vocals, love the guitar work, love the songs!.Believers of Jesus Christ if you are looking for a sound which may never occur again, then look no further. In the tradition of Queenryche's first album 'Warning', the Lord presents you with this most pleasurable experience. Solid 80's rock and roll mixed with salvational lyrics and warmed with operatic vocals this is definately one for the archive at home. If there's metal in heaven I pray it sounds like this. With only one studio album produced you must purchase this while you can. Amen.
















The late eighties happened to be an era in which the Christian metal scene grew in leaps and bounds. Labels such as Pure Metal, Intense, Regency and R.E.X. released albums by Angelica, Bloodgood, Bride, Deliverance, Neon Cross, Rage Of Angels, Sacred Warrior, Saint and Whitecross- bands which proved foundational in the burgeoning “white metal” movement at the time. Southern California based Recon also deserves mention. Made up of members from De Roque, Prophet and Seventh Thunder, three defunct area Christian metal bands, Recon came together in the late eighties before placing two tracks – “Light The Fire” and “Dreams” – on the California Metal II compilation in 1990 and recording a five song cassette only demo the same year. The bands full length debut Behind Enemy Lines, also a 1990 release, moved in a classic power metal direction comparing favorably to contemporaries Fates Warning, Queensryche, Loudness and Sacred Warrior in addition to more recent acts Jacobs Dream (David Taylor era), Faith Factor and The Sacrificed.The power metal tendencies of Recon can best be found on the sublime “Lost Soldier”, Fates Warning influenced “Ancient Of Days”, up-tempo “Alive” and “Eternal Destiny” (an intricate track giving rise to a slight progressiveness). The band, on the other hand, exhibits the more melodic aspect to its songwriting skills on “Choose This Day” (great chorus hook here) and commercial metal of “Take Us Away”, while “Holy Is The Lord” – a song coming across in the form of a metal worship anthem – gives rise to a striking Queensryche resemblance. Recon even delivers some thrash elements on the albums driving title track, a fast paced number in which Deliverance frontman Jimmy Brown receives a songwriting credit. The high pitched lead vocal style of Vett Roberts cannot help but bring to mind Geoff Tate (Queensryche), former Fates Warning vocalist John Arch and Ray Para and Ski of Sacred Warrior and Faith Factor respectively- and helping lend to Recons’ comparison to the previously referenced vocalist’s bands in question in the process. Founding member guitarist George Ochoa makes his mark as well, letting loose with some aggressive leads on “Lost Soldier” while showcasing a more fluid side to his playing on “Alive” and “Eternal Destiny”. Rhythm guitarist Eddie Starline rounds out the bands line up with drummer John Christianson and bassist Mike Grato (Deliverance). The albums production, coming across crisp and clean, serves to bring out the best in the bands high energy sound. An interesting story revolves around the meaning behind Recon’s name. Short for reconnaissance, Recon literally implies going “behind enemy lines” and, in the words of Ochoa, “into the devil’s territory… (into) enemy turf (and) the clubs. We go there and proclaim the light of Jesus Christ… We are the soldiers and the Lord wins the battles.” Recon also has dual meaning in that it coincides with the Biblical doctrine of reconciliation.The pouring rain and keyboards introducing “In The Beginning” soon intertwine with narration from John 1:1. An acoustic guitar closes out the songs final thirty seconds.The three songs that follow - “Lost Soldier”, “Ancient Of Days” and “Choose This Day” – represent fifteen of the best minutes of metal this reviewer has heard.Sweeping keyboards carry the Sacred Warrior-like metal of “Lost Soldier” through its first minute. The acoustic guitar that ensues gives way to an energetic guitar riff, up-tempo initiative maintained as the way is paved for a lofty chorus underlined by a trace of vocal harmonies. Ochoa puts his talent on display with a riveting stretch of lead work. Spiritual warfare is the subject matter here:















“Ancient Of Days”, a powerful track that would not sound out of place on either of Jacobs Dream’s first two albums, slows the pace down a bit but proves every bit as laudable. A bottom heavy melding of guitar and drums gets the song underway, momentum tapering off before a fathomless environs is put in place for a chorus giving rise to an abundance of driving feel. A blend of tight sounding guitar harmony and biting lead guitar sustains a lengthy instrumental section. “Ancient Of Days” talks about the end times,“Choose This Day” opens to a quietly played guitar line as Vett Roberts harmonizes in the background. The refined ambience continues until a driving rhythm guitar backed by robust backing vocals takes over with just the right amount of edge. Upholding the assailing scene, “Choose This Day” moves on to a lush chorus challenging its listeners to make the correct eternal decision..The majestic rhythm guitar propelling the melodic based “Dreams” over its first minute transitions to a quieter and more tranquil scene. As initiative builds, the rhythm guitar returns to its place of prominence and propels things to a chorus sustained by a forward mix of choir-like vocal harmonies. Emotionally played lead guitar helps take “Dreams” through an extensive instrumental section. While without a doubt a very fine number, I cannot help but think “Dreams” would have improved if the backing vocals in its chorus had been backed off just a touch.“Take Us Away” moves forward from the start to an even blend of rhythm guitar and keyboards. Evening out upon reaching its first verse, the song smoothly flows ahead until a shouted voice steps forward to reinforce a chorus delivered in determined fashion. Several seconds of open air rhythm guitar opens an instrumental section featuring a run of flashy lead guitar. The aptly entitled “Take Us Away” reflects upon the second coming.





















Several top notch metal worship anthems have been composed over the years – Barren Cross’ “King Of Kings” and “Great I Am” by Letter 7 immediately come to mind – but “Holy Is The Lord” is as good as it gets. The song begins acoustically before militant style drums stand in support of its first verse. “Holy Is The Lord” proceeds to pick up in pace for the second, the rhythm guitar taking over in time to bring out the best in the emotionally charged chorus that follows. Again, what we have in “Holy Is The Lord” is a worshipful track done metal style,Introduced to several seconds of open air rhythm guitar, “Alive” forcefully plows its way ahead as airy keyboards decorate the background. Briefly pausing, the song moves on to a brief but up-tempo chorus enriched by more of the bands trademark backing vocals. Just past its halfway point, “Alive” tapers off for a serene passage buttressed by a quietly played guitar.Ochoa follows with an adeptly played run of lead guitar (some of the albums best)An almost doom-like setting is put into place as “Eternal Destiny” commences to a blend of plodding rhythm guitar and ringing bells. The song, however, picks up in pace upon obtaining its first verse, sprinting forward in a high-octane manner on its way to an ominous chorus that comes across in the form of awarning,Following a passage carried by narration from Revelation 20: 11-15, “Eternal Destiny” makes a time change to an instrumental section carried by a sharp sounding guitar solo. “Behind Enemy Lines”, a piece in which Deliverance frontman Jimmy Brown receives a songwriting credit, takes off to a hard hitting guitar riff underscored by pounding drums. Charging through its verse portions to a fury of speed metal-like impetus, the albums title track evens out for a fleeting chorus in which a predominate atmosphere is put into place. Fast paced and aggressive, you cannot help but notice the Deliverance influence throughout this one. Closing the album out is a hidden bonus track made up of keyboards and narration from John 1:14.The last 4 demo tracks from this tape is on the M8 reissue of 'Behind Enemy Lines(http://www.holymetalrob.com/)