By The Reverend
1. DARK BENEDICTION: This track has it's origins in the first Dark Arts Festival (which was also my first performance as a musician). It was central to the evolution of the GOSPEL, and has changed only slightly since it's first quotation. The Actual decision to link 5 of the songs in the performance together was entirely last minute. The GOSPEL originally included only DARK BENEDICTION, EVIL THOUGHTS, THE RETURN (originally called "MIND WORMS"), THE LIE and DEATH MARCH. In this form, The GOSPEL was orignally (and unoffically) known as "The Pentateck".
2. EVIL THOUGHTS: This is the fourth remake of a song that was one of my first song ever recordered (superceded only by minutes by a rare demo called "A Place in Heaven". An eagerly anticipated mcuh cleaner digital remaster of the original version will be available soon.
4. MORE: This song was originally an All-Electronic Demo that I never finished. It was written for the 1st Denver Dark Arts Fest, but never came to light until the formation of THE RED CHURCH, when new guitarist Paul Halldorson fell in love with it, and gave it new life. The Haunting one-take Keyboards of the Deacon, Jesse Major were also a perfect fit for this semi-live version. I am in love with the vocals as well, which are often compated to Danzig in his Samhein days. It was first added to the GOSPEL for the "Live at Ecks" Colorado Rocks Television performace. A longer version of this song is slated to appear either on out next album "WACO" or in a potential GOSPEL remix Album that is being discussed.
6. THE RETURN: Originally entitled "MIND WORMS" an all-electronic version of this song appears on the first Denver Dark Arts compilation. It, along with the old scratchy original version of "Evil Thoughts" are the two submissions that won me a spot in the Festival, and launched my musical career. This version has some great guitar work by Halldorson, which was a real challenge, given the non-linear structure of the song.
8. THE LIE: Written (and originally performed) by former Red Church member, THE PROPHET, Daniel Cruz, this is one of my favorite tracks on the album. Though no longer a performing member of the Red Church, Cruz continues to contribute lyrics and music to the cause. For this, THE PROPHET remains a critical behind-the-scenes member of The Red Church. His original Demo of this song is slated to appear on the LOST SONGS OF THE PROPHET EP.
10. DEATH MARCH: Another one of my All-electronic works, this version has been remade with Halldorson's distinctive guitars and Major's Keyboards. This is the only track in which ALL of the original vocals from by 2002 Solo Album "Dark Reflections" were retained. I liked the Bauhaus/Joy Division bleakness of the original take, and decided to keep them. (Also, it is said your humble Reverend is extremely lazy).
12. RADIATION: An impressive first effort at Programming, Guitarist Paul Halldorson (The APOSTLE) composed and titled this song. His Wife, Kathy wrote the lyrics seperately, not intending that they be used for this song (for which, she was given the honorific title of ST. KATHERINE by The Red Church). But when I first heard the morose sound of the music, and read suffering oriented lyrics Kathy handed me, I thought that the two went together perfectly, as the husband and wife team! The Chanting and Bell ringing nature of the song has drawn comparissions to Buddist music. The vocals are the first and only take, so if you have the "Demo" version that used to be available, it is essentially the same thing.
14. PASSION PLAY: Another of the 'Lost Songs of the Prophet', Daniel Cruz's superb lyrical skills are showcased in the original demo of this masterful song. I did a single vocal take for Album version, but I feel this is probably my best vocal performance in GOSPEL. The uplifting nature of this song is a huge deviation from the darkness of all the other tracks. As it is all-electronic, We will probably never perform this song live ever again. The APOSTLE however, insists otherwise, and is said to be working on a new guitar part. I can only hope so.
16. GOODBYE SWEET UNIVERSE, GOODBYE: The DEACON wrote the lyrics, composed this song, and sings on it. For that reason, I am very fond of this track, because one of the tenants of The Red Church is a communal approach to making music. It is also a good dramatic counterpoint to the voice of The Reverend/First One. The last track, and also last to be added to the GOSPEL, ending it on an uncertain note, leaving the fate of The First One unknown. (Though his death is alluded to in the verse in Passion Play that says "I'll be leaving soon, I must sacrifice... And after I am gone- I'll be your guiding light.").
Incidentally, the name for this Rock Opera, GOSPEL, was suggested by my friend Aimee Matheny.