Whitecross (band)

Whitecross is an American Christian metal band from Illinois, formed in 1985 by singer Scott Wenzel and guitarist Rex Carroll, and re-formed in 2000. The band won three Dove Awards in the 1990s.

For other uses, see White Cross.
Whitecross
Whitecross in 2013
Background information
OriginWaukegan, Illinois, US
GenresHeavy metal, Christian metal, hard rock
Years active1985–present
LabelsPure Metal, Star Song
Members

History
Scott Wenzel on stage in 2013

Whitecross formed in 1985 in Waukegan, Illinois, releasing their first recording in 1987. Their early albums, which often invite comparisons to Ratt, are laced with fast, technical guitar work. In 1994, Rex Carroll split with lead vocalist Scott Wenzel. Wenzel retained the use of the name "Whitecross" while Carroll went on to form King James with Jimi Bennett (see below). At this point the band's sound underwent a drastic change.

Whitecross has won three Dove Awards with Triumphant Return (in 1990) and In the Kingdom (in 1992) winning "Metal Album of the Year"[1] and Come unto the Light from the Unveiled album winning "Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year" at the 25th GMA Dove Awards in 1994.[2]

In 1994 prior to work starting on the Unveiled album, guitarist Rex Carroll left to form the band King James and pursue other musical ventures. In 1998, singer Scott Wenzel took a two-year break to do mission work in Paraguay, South America. During this time, Whitecross went on hiatus before re-emerging at Cornerstone Festival in 2000 when Carroll and Wenzel re-formed the band with Carroll, Wenzel, Michael Feighan and newcomer Benny Ramos providing bass, keyboards and vocals. Finally having achieved a long-sought lineup stability, the band started performing on a regular basis.

In 2005, the band went back into the studio to record Nineteen Eighty Seven, which featured re-recordings of nine of the ten songs from the band's self-titled debut album (You're Mine being the exclusion), as well as a re-recording of the song Love on the Line (previously unavailable on CD) and a new guitar instrumental by Rex Carroll.

On April 5, 2008, they played at the Legends of Rock festival in Ennepetal, Germany. Beginning in July 2008, they played the first of several short tours in Guatemala featuring shows in Guatemala City, Panajachel, Huehuetenango and other cities.

In 2017, Carroll and Feighan joined with David Bach and Jamie Rowe of Guardian to record Revival, a new compilation of Whitecross and Guardian tracks and went on a short tour to promote the project. [3]

Albums

With Rex Carroll
Album Year
Whitecross 1987
Love on the Line (EP) 1988
Hammer & Nail 1988
Triumphant Return 1989
In the Kingdom 1991
High Gear 1992
Nineteen Eighty Seven 2005

Without Rex Carroll
Album Year
Unveiled 1994
Equilibrium 1995
Flytrap 1996
Unveiled (re-issue) 2005

Compilations
Album Year
At Their Best 1991
To the Limit 1993
By Demand 1995
One More Encore 1998
Mega 3 Collection 2005
The Very Best of Whitecross 2006
Their Classic Hits 2009

Videos

Members of Whitecross
Current
  • Scott Wenzel – lead vocals (1985–present)
  • Rex Carroll – guitar, vocals (1985–1993, 2000–present)
  • Michael Feighan – drums, vocals (1991–1995, 2000–present)
  • Benny Ramos – bass guitar, vocals (2000–present)
Former
Guitars
  • Barry Graul (MercyMe) (1994–1995)
  • Quinton Gibson (1996)
Drums
  • Mark Hedl (1987–1988)
  • Mike Elliott (1989)
  • Troy Stone (1996)
bass guitar
  • Jon Sproule (1987–1988)
  • Rick Armstrong (1989)
  • Butch Dillon (1991)
  • Scott Harper (1992–1993)
  • Tracy Ferrie (1994–1995)
  • Brent Denny (1996)
Whitecross Hammer & Nail Triumphant Return In the Kingdom High Gear Unveiled Equilibrium Flytrap Nineteen Eighty Seven
Vocals Scott Wenzel
Guitars Rex Carroll Barry Graul Quinton Gibson Rex Carroll
Drums Mark Hedl Mike Elliott Mike Feighan Troy Stone Mike Feighan
Bass Jon Sproule Rick Armstrong Butch Dillon Scott Harper Tracy Ferrie Brent Denny Rex Carroll

See also

References
  1. "Dove Award Recipients for Hard Music Album". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  2. "Dove Award Recipients for 1995". Gospel Music Association. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  3. "Guardian + Whitecross - About". Guardianwhitecross.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
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