THIS COLLECTION CONTAIN(22-TRACKS)
1-BABYLON
2-LOUDER THAN HELL
3-DEADLY WEAPONS
4-ONE OF A KIND
5-PRICELESS HEART
6-WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHILDREN GONE?
7-KING OF THE CITY
8-BORDERLINE
9-ANGEL
10-FIRST TIME
11-PRIMISES
12-BORDERLINE
13-TEARS
14-HEART OF STONE
15-SOMEBODY NEW
16-ANGEL
17-KING OF THE CITY(Live)
18-GLORY & HONOR(Live)
19-PRICELESS HEART(Live)
20-HEART OF STONE(Live)
CREDITS:
Jimmy Arceneaux - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Rick Hunter - Guitars
Marc Allyn - Bass
Al Whalen - Drums
Jason Sousa - Drums
The origin of the Bay Area melodic metal band Soldier can be traced back to a top-40 band named Rex that included Vocalist Jimmy Arceneaux (pronounced Are-sen-nah) and Bassist Marc Allyn. Following the break up of Rex, the two decided to form a new band and soon recruited A Talented Guitarist by the name of Rick Hunter. On the same night he joined forces with Arceneaux and Allyn, Hunter received a call from Drummer Al Whalen who said he was looking for A Band. The rest, as they say, is history. Soldier proceeded to put together its first demo Louder Than Hell before recording its second, the full length and critically acclaimed Babylon.While Soldier might best be described as Heavy but Melodic Eighties Influenced commercial metal, you can hear elements in their sound as diverse as classic metal, melodic hard rock, blues and even a few moments that touch upon speed metal. Ultimately, I always identified with Soldier, who played live with the likes of Vicious Rumors, Vain and Y&T, as the Bay Area's answer to Stryper. Yes, the quality of the music and musicianship were that high. Arceneaux brings a very fine Melodic Flavored Voice with just a slight touch of grit in addition to filling in on rhythm guitar. Hunter is a mean and nasty in your Face Guitarist with a fast paced and aggressive style. Marc Allyn and Al Whalen round out a tight and solid rhythm section. Please note that the 2002 M8 release The Definitive Collection consists of all the material appearing on both of Soldier's demo, Louder Than Hell and Babylon, tapes in addition to the two tracks the band recorded for the California Metal II compilation. An overall element of muddiness characterizes the production to Babylon, particularly its low end. On the other hand, I can honestly say its sonics are some of the finest I have heard on A Demo from its era. (Please keep in mind this was a self-financed project by an unsigned band recorded using Late-Eighties Technology.) The brief (1:30) Instrumental "Babylon" opens the album to blowing wind before An Acoustic Guitar backed by a bit of distorted Rhythm Guitar Carries it forward.Kicking in to A Fast paced Riff bordering on Speed Metal, "Louder Than Hell" advances in an energetic manner until it reaches a powerful chorus bolstered by deep sounding vocal harmonies. Hunter's mean sounding lead guitar work gives way to a bass solo and a pounding riff. "Louder Than Hell" refers to being louder than the satanic forces of the world,
The superb Dokken-ish melodic metal of "Deadly Weapons" progresses through its first verse at a steady mid-tempo pace until it gains momentum for a chorus with a great catchy hook. The song slows just before Hunter cuts loose with a fiery solo underscored by a muscular bass line. As its title implies, "Deadly Weapons" talks about spiritual warfare.Moving the album in a more commercial melodic hard rock direction, "One Of A Kind" immediately takes off in up-tempo fashion as a crunchy rhythm guitar quickly propels it to a good non-stop hook filled chorus. Several seconds of melodic flavored lead guitar work brings out the best in a song talking about God's love..After "Priceless Heart" gets going at a driving mid-tempo clip, it tapers off as an edgy blues flavored guitar riff sustains its first verse. The huge anthem-like chorus that follows will refuse to leave your head upon repeated listening. Hunter's aggressive lead guitar work perfectly complements the songs bluesy feel. "Priceless Heart" talks about God's faithfulness during the trials and tribulations of life.Carried through its first verse by an acoustic guitar, “Where Have All The Children Gone” picks up in pace as the rhythm guitar kicks in and shores up a melodic flavored chorus delivered at an upbeat tempo. Hunter contributes several seconds of blues based lead guitar work to a song whose subject matter is self-explanatory.The powerful "King Of The City" is by far the albums strongest track. Subsequent to a metal edged rhythm guitar driving the song ahead with a ton of upbeat energy, a trace of vocal harmonies underscores a superlative chorus that, if given the opportunity, would have dominated MTV and FM radio. Hunter graces the scene with several seconds of intense lead guitar work."Borderline" moves forward hard and heavy as the rhythm guitar bounces in and out of the mix at the start of its first verse. The rhythm guitar, nevertheless, remains a steady presence as the song attains a strong hard hitting chorus. Hunter furnishes several seconds of the albums best lead guitar work.I have never been able to warm up to the commercial flavored pop metal of "Angel". While by no means a throwaway, the songs chorus is not quite strong enough to always keep my attention. That being said, I can see how other fans of Soldier would find "Angel" appealing.Opening to several seconds of melodic rhythm guitar harmony, "First Time" moves through its verse to a crisp sounding rhythm guitar. Background vocals accent the song as it attains a chorus giving rise to a good commercial feel. As its title implies, "First Love" talks about returning to your first love.Once an acoustic guitar introduces "Promises", a hard hitting riff steadily conveys it to a very fine emotionally charged chorus. I like how "Promises" closes Babylon in the same manner it opened to an acoustic guitar backed by blowing wind. "Promises" details how God always keeps His promises.As for the two tracks appearing on the California Metal II compilation, "Borderline" and "Tears", White Throne editor Dave Johnson sums it up best,.The material from Louder Than Hell is a bit rough around the edges production wise but showcases the bands promise.After fading in to several seconds of keyboards, "Heart Of Stone" launches into a fast paced riff that pushes it to a chorus backed by a touch of vocal harmonies. Hunter nails a blistering guitar solo that bounces between the left and right channel.The pop metal of "Somebody New", similar to "Angel", has never grown on me. Perhaps it is the weakness of the production, but I find that the songs chorus to be not quite strong enough in order for it to always hold up under repeated play.Since "Angel" also made its way onto Babylon, there is no need to comment further.While the live versions of "King Of The City", "Glory & Honor", "Priceless Heart" and "Heart Of Stone" appearing on Louder Than Hell lack a bit of polish, I am certainly glad the band chose to include them. The upbeat melodic metal of "Glory & Honor" is the only song on The Definitive Collection never recorded by Soldier in the studio. Advancing through its verse at an upbeat tempo, the song culminates for a chorus delivered with an abundance of the bands trademark energy. "Glory & Honor" stands out as a Christian metal anthem.Not every story has a happy ending and such is the case with Soldier. Despite releasing one of the finest demo tapes of its era, Soldier never signed a deal and in the end broke up. Once again, I will let White Throne editor Dave Johnson sum it up.Rick Hunter went on to form Regime in the early nineties; an excellent melodic hard rock band that recorded an eight song demo entitled Straight Through Your Heart. The other members of Soldier were never heard from again. Please note that Soldier appeared on the Metal Mardis Gras video performing live versions of "Somebody New" and "King Of The City". Soldier also recorded footage of most of its live performance that hopefully one day will be released on DVD(http://www.holymetalrob.com/)
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