Fear No Evil: An Interview With REX CARROLL Of WHITECROSS
By
George Dionne,
Podcaster
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 @ 8:32 AM
"We're not super-beating people over the head with anything... but we want our lyrics to have a positive impact on the World."
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WHITECROSS is considered to be one of the first ever Christian Hard Rock and Metal bands. Founded by vocalist Scott Wenzel and guitarist Rex Carroll in 1985, WHITECROSS released their self-titled debut in 1987 on a shoe-string budget, and the returns were quite unexpected. The album reached #17 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart, and in 2010 landed at #29 on HM Magazine's Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time List.
WHITECROSS released Hammer & Nail in 1988, and it bested the debut by landing at #15 on Billboard's Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart. 1989's Triumphant Return climbed even higher to #13, and won a GMA Dove Award for Hard Music Album of Year in 1990. WHITECROSS once again won a Dove Award in 1991 for their forth effort In The Kingdom.
Guitarist Rex Carroll departed from the group in 1994 to pursue other music related ventures. Vocalist Scott Wenzel took a break. Carroll and Wenzel reunited as a live entity in 2000. Since then WHITECROSS have released some new music and re-recordings of some of their classic material, but never a full studio album of new music. Until now!
Fear No Evil is the first new studio album by WHITECROSS in nearly 20 years. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the White Metal legends. Rex Carroll is now steering the entire ship, as Scott Wenzel has retired. Joining Carroll in this latest incarnation of WHITECROSS are longtime drummer Michael Feighhan, longtime touring bassist Benny Ramos, and debuting vocalist Dave Roberts.
I had the chance to catch up with Rex Carroll on release day for Fear No Evil. Together we discuss what led to their first studio album in nearly 20 years, new vocalist Dave Roberts, being very hands on with the album's production, how he learned what not to do as producer, the stories behind the singles, working with Dark Star Records, upcoming live performances, the 35th anniversary of Triumphant Return, how politics led to the album winning a Dove Award, the future of his FIERCE HEART band, where the band's name came from, and much, much more.
