Details for this torrent 


David Benson Purpose of the Cross
Type:
Audio > Music
Files:
13
Size:
105.55 MB

Tag(s):
Christian Rock Barren Cross Stryper Christian Metal Ozzy Osbourne

Uploaded:
Feb 21, 2014
By:
godrulz



ΓÇ£Purpose Of The CrossΓÇ¥ grooves its distance, highlighting a catchy hook and up-tempo momentum along with a propensity for the instrumental- the song features the albums best stretch of riveting lead guitar.  Chorus hits hard as does the lyrical direction:

There was a man 2000 years ago
Who died upon a tree
Mocking Him today, call Him lunatic prophet
Father of all heresies
Not seeing the truth in why He died
To save the souls of you and me

You mock the purpose of the cross
He shed His blood for you
He died upon a lonely tree
To save you from all sin… eternal doom

ΓÇ£WorksΓÇ¥ slows things to a technical mid-paced romp.  Approaching doom-metal territory, the song proves dark and low-key with its grinding rhythm section and tempo changes over the final half including another extended instrumental excursion.

The doom-ish emphasis continues on ΓÇ£Second ComingΓÇ¥, an unrelenting slug fest that ranks with the albums heaviest.  But it is not all driving in that quite the copious melody can be found as well.  The lone complaint is that the song fades out prematurely in coming in at just under three minutes.  Lyric snippet:

But as it was in the days of Noah
So shall the coming of the Son of Man be
Watch therefore you know not the hour
Of the Bridegroom is at hand

Be ready in and out of season
You know not the hour or the day
Give your life to Jesus Christ
So you can go when He calls His bride away

ΓÇ£America Wake UpΓÇ¥ stands out with its commanding bass line.  The song plods forward from the start, driven and substantial during its verses but gaining momentum for a spirited chorus backed by a rollicking drum presence.  The band remains in real tight form here.

ΓÇ£ShoutΓÇ¥ falls somewhat flat, at least in comparison to those preceding it.  The song takes a bluesy hard rock heading in picking up the tempo but lacks the catchy hooks for repeated play.  A bit too plain and generic is the overall feeling at hand.  Lyric snippet:

Jesus my Saviour, the King that rules
His Word I carry like a two edged sword
He helps me with my earthly duels
I walk with Him in His Word everyday
Because He shows through His Word He saves

Shout His name, yeah
Praise His name on high
Shout His name, yeah
So people see His light

A much better effort can be found in ΓÇ£Give InΓÇ¥.  A return to all out heaviness, the song highlights an underpinning technical milieu and understated melody that better represents the artistΓÇÖs potential.  Chorus romps with abandon while the rhythm section settles into a fixed low-end groove.

ΓÇ£Holy PsychotherapyΓÇ¥ proves spirited from the get go.  The song kicks up a storm of forthright impetus, rushing its distance to a foundational bass line and unremitting hooks in abundance.  The infections energy almost brings to mind Stryper.  Lyric snippet:

Time after time, day after day
Returning to your emetic state of being
Looking to alcohol to show you the way
Dying in your sin without even seeing
Your spirit is in eminent decay
You need to see a doctor who can make your spirit free

Holy Psychotherapy
Redemption of your soul
Let Jesus make you whole

ΓÇ£Revelation ManΓÇ¥ represents this reviewerΓÇÖs choice track.  It starts with the songs variety, ranging from verses that start heavy hitting but decelerate to a quieter touch at the end and a precisely done chorus bordering on commercial in capacity (very catchy and certain to have you returning time and again).  A quintessential joining of the melodic and heavy can be found here.

ΓÇ£We Were OneΓÇ¥, a praise filled rocker with a mirthful disposition, does not quite cut it.  Similar to ΓÇ£ShoutΓÇ¥ the song failed to grow on me in that it lacks the notable hook to gain my repeated interest.  The technical elements of the albums better material cannot be found here.  Lyric snippet:

We must dress up in His armor
Ye soldiers of the light
Bear each others burdens now
And stand against the night
To acknowledge all His names
And to sing unto Him praise
For you know, know we are one

We are one in the power of love…

ΓÇ£FaithΓÇ¥ closes things in monster fashion.  This one is doom metal all the way, with trudging guitar riffs and hulking low-end playing dominant roles.  The swarthy - almost haunting - atmosphere finds Benson in his natural element in no uncertain terms.

As for the bonus tracks, ΓÇ£Crushing The Dark CathedralΓÇ¥ hits with a ton of bricks while delivering an understated melody in the process.  ΓÇ£Dark StarΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£Dear AleisterΓÇ¥ are ominous plodders, caustic and bitter slabs of grinding metal but delivering enough gripping catchiness to hold up under repeated play.

If you are looking for a Christian alternative to Ozzy then you will find it in David BensonΓÇÖs Purpose Of The Cross.  Again, this is not a substandard impersonation of the original but rather brings some very good songs that stand up quite well on there own.  Benson, at the same time, does a fine job nailing the Ozzy style vocal approach.  Only some musical inconsistency and lack of great soloing hold things back.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: ΓÇ£Purpose Of The CrossΓÇ¥ (3:19), ΓÇ£WorksΓÇ¥ (3:58), ΓÇ£Second ComingΓÇ¥ (2:58), ΓÇ£America Wake UpΓÇ¥ (3:59), ΓÇ£ShoutΓÇ¥ (2:52), ΓÇ£Give InΓÇ¥ (3:49), ΓÇ£Holy PsychotherapyΓÇ¥ (3:56), ΓÇ£Revelation ManΓÇ¥ (3:37), ΓÇ£We Were OneΓÇ¥ (2:57), ΓÇ£FaithΓÇ¥ (3:49), ΓÇ£Crushing The Dark CathedralΓÇ¥ (3:07), ΓÇ£Crushing The Dark CathedralΓÇ¥ (3:07), ΓÇ£Dark StarΓÇ¥ (4:22), ΓÇ£Dear AleisterΓÇ¥ (3:28),

Musicians
David Benson - Lead Vocals
Chris Grey - Guitars
Eddie West - Guitars & Keyboards
Bryn Wilson - Guitars
Mark Selby - Bass
Keith Trevor - Bass
Lee Paddgett ΓÇô Drums