CROSS - METAL FROM ABOVE / 1986 / 2006 / DISCOGRAPHY / INTREVIEW / BIOGRAPHY

THIS ALBUM CONTAIN(8-TRACKS)
1-SIGH OF THE CROSS
2-METAL FROM ABOVE
3-DELIVERANCE
4-THE ASCENSION
5-FINAL JOURNEY
6-PRISONER OF WAR
7-EXODUS 20
8-BLACK DEATH
Are you ready for a trip back to when the metal was strong and pure? Cross recorded this epic metal thunder back in 1986 but never had a chance for a proper album release. 20 years later, Steel Legacy Records unearths this long lost treasure, adds 3 live unreleased tunes and creates a 50 minute epic. Metal from Above is brought to you raw but powerful, reflecting the enthusiasm and energy of a band that had so many dreams but couldn’t deliver for reasons that now belong to the dark past. Cross' classic demo material finally and officially released on CD (1000 copies) and vinyl (330 copies).CROSS - METAL FROM ABOVE (SLR 003) 330 COPIES LP EDITION AND 1000 COPIES CD EDITIONAmerican Epic metal assault with Christian message! Contains 5 tracks from the 1986 Metal from Above demo tape (a total of 35 minutes!) remastered for better quality plus 3 bonus tracks recorded live in 1988, presented to you raw but powerful. Sword in hand, Metal from Above!tyrant Cover










Check out an interview with Steve Cano of the band
PART I)
About 21 years ago a band called Cross put out a demo tape that in terms of quality was ahead of it’s time especially for a Christian Band. It was a five song demo and was in the vein of Iron Maiden minus the same style of vocals and was also very much like Christian Rockers Barren Cross. The music was straight ahead power metal in all of Power Metals Shinning Glory.

I was given the tape by a guy in a band called Rapture who would later go on and become the Moshketeers. Again the songs were ahead of their time in my opinion. The five songs, the first of which was an instrumental were classics for those of us in the Underground, all 12 of us. “Sign of the Cross” opened up the album very nicely, followed by “Metal from above” and “the Final Journey” closed out side one of the tape. Side two was just as good with “Deliverance” besides people in California no one had heard of the Christian Band Deliverance yet. The final song was called the Ascension the only thing about the tape that at the time I did not like was the fact of how short side two was compared to side one. Fast forward to the year of 2007 and Croaa was available for the first time ever on CD with the release of “Metal from Above with all the of the songs from that demo plus three live tracks “Prisoners of war” “Exodus 20” and “Black Death” After a little work I was able to track down original member Steve Cano and I asked him about this early Christian Metal Band.

PART I)QUESTION
Steve you released “Metal from Above” and like so many Christian bands you were not able to secure a record deal, what happened to the band and what have you been doing over these years and how did the songs come about being released on CD?

PART I) ANSWER
The demo actually attracted the attention of a small independent record label called Klassic King but when the money they had promised never materialized we all just sort of did our thing for awhile trying to finance the project our selves but eventually we all had to get jobs and over time the band lost it’s importance to us as we never could find time to practice or play together. I went to nursing school have a family now and still play music from time to time. How the Cd came to be released was that some how Panos and Kostas got a hold of our old demo and love the material found on it, old Heavy Power Metal style of it and asked if they could remaster, rework, and release it on their label. I agreed just to see what would happen, the response has been greater than I thought it would have been so praise God!

PART II)QUIESTION
Cross was from Albuquerque New Mexico are you still in New Mexico, also did you know any of the guys from Rapture, The Moshketeers or later Ultimatum who were all also from Albuquerque?

PART II)ANSWER
Yes, We knew the Rapture guys but they were a little more polished than we were. By that I mean we were all Christians but we more or less hung out with the stoner crowd. The people who were more than likely into drugs and alcohol. We played mostly Secular Shows in Secular Environments. Paul and the others guys they were doing mostly Christian Shows for Christian kids, so hanging out with them we sort of got the feeling that we were not Holy enough or whatever to be seen with them too much. It was more of they did their thing we did ours.

PART III)QUESTION
How Spiritual were you back in the day and where are you now or it that important to you?

PART III)ANSWER
We were all Christians though we did drink a little, We were just basically trying to be positive since so much or what people think about Rock and Roll is Sex and Drugs. We wanted to let people know that Jesus Christ would and could love you no matter what you had done or did in the past. We did Preach a little but mostly let our Music do the talking for us. We would talk and hang out after our shows, you know that kind of thing. Today, I am still a believer and I Pray everyday. Being in the will of God is something I stride for everyday, so yes it is important to me.

PART IV)QUESTION
What do you hope to do in the future, also what is the best way for people to contact you or get information about Cross?

PART IV)ANSWER
Unfortunately, my future probably does include a major pursuit of music. I still play drums and guitar in my home studio. I would love to get back in the studio for some project work if the right opportunity came along. If any out there has anything in mind I’m totally open. As far as Cross is concerned, what the great guys at Steel –Legacy did was more than I could have ever imagined. We Got Released!! Anyone wanting to contact me or get more info on Cross can check out our Myspace or email me at: metalfromabove@charter.net The CD or limited edition Vinyl LP can be purchased from Steel Legacy website or just do an internet search there are a few large music dealers carrying our music like Cd Baby.

PART V)QUESTION
Steve, I really appreciate your time and you doing this interview for me.

PART V)ANSWER AND Goodbyes
Glad to do it man, you know that little demo to be a little over 20 years old and to go from New Mexico to Greece and to be released professionally on CD is just awesome and is an example of the Power of God(http://www.holymetalrob.com/)