Songs of the Cross: Deep Dive into Christian Rock

Arin Rockman H: on this edition of the Rock and Metal Faith podcast. we thought we would do an Easter themed episode. So we're gonna talk about songs about the cross. ⁓ Welcome to the rock metal faith podcast where it's all about Christian and metal from the classics to the new bands, So come and join us as we rock for the king. Because this is the rock that makes me sing. I'm your host, Arin Hancock, alone with Kris. I did my homework, Plamondon.

Kris plamondon: I like that. I like that. I like that you saved my name properly. You know, that that's

Arin Rockman H: Actually, I was going to reference to the last episode and go along with the host. ⁓ are we doing this again? Kris Plamondon. ⁓

Kris plamondon: Yeah. Well, this episode, I'll have a lot of positive stuff to say. For those who don't know, you can go back and... Yeah. That was a pick on Kris because he didn't have anything positive to say.

Arin Rockman H: Alright. Well didn't have much positive to say but I did have to try to find something.

Kris plamondon: ⁓ so I was cropped liver? Is that what you were saying?

Arin Rockman H: I- Nah. And for those who have just joined us, welcome to the Rock and Metal Faith. If you were listening last episode, we were talking about Holy Soldiers Promise Man, their grunge record, and we were trying to figure out how they got a grunge record after the two great records. But you know what? That was the 90s. We- Actually this time, we're gonna be all over the musical spectrum.

Kris plamondon: Yes, welcome.

Arin Rockman H: is the only requirement was songs with cross in the title and from a Christian band. And we're going to talk more about that later, in just a few minutes. First, we're getting to some news. Do we have any news?

Kris plamondon: I don't know, do we have ⁓

Arin Rockman H: No, there's lots of new albums coming out. Lots of albums have come out. Actually, one thing we should talk about, and we did think last time, Michael Sweet has one coming out. And I think his ⁓ new solo record should be out very shortly. Probably at the of release, it will be out. We've only heard a couple tracks off it so far.

Kris plamondon: Rumors.

Arin Rockman H: But one thing I do want to bring up is this year is the anniversary of To Hell with the Devil. ⁓ Roxx Records, I'm not sure if you've seen these posts, Roxx Records is together a tribute to ⁓ To with the Devil. They have gathered a few Christian metal artists out there to do performances of songs that record.

Kris plamondon: Yes.

Arin Rockman H: So each band doing one performance and that is going to be released later this year. I've heard clips of it. They have released a few videos on YouTube, more or less just like ⁓ these AI lyric videos or something like this, just for somebody to hear the song. And from what I've heard, it actually sounds like it's going to be a very good tribute. Unlike the Stryper tribute that came out in the late 90s, that sweet family music, that was not very good tribute.

Kris plamondon: Is that to say the least? That's all? That's all you want to say about that?

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, that's about it. Well, we're going to get around to an episode of that sometime where we talk about that Sweet Family music, the basically 90s grunge bands doing tribute to Stryper songs. Unfortunately, it was not a very good tribute. And if you want to cut that record up, we will go right ahead because I don't think there was any redeeming parts of that record at all.

Kris plamondon: They should just get White Cross to do their version of like calling on you or you know, yes, you know, that would be cool. Like some of the more current bands like get Kalamity Kills to do, I don't know, you know.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ that'd be interesting. Good rest on guitar. Well, these are current metal bands for this to hold the devil tribute. And these are actually real metal bands playing, so they've actually kind of taken the. the songs and actually heavy them up even more if you can imagine that. So, so that sounds good. ⁓ Actually wanting to, I do want to bring up, ⁓ could almost an honorable mention for the main topic. You know what? Maybe I'll save it for the Honorable Mansion, actually. I don't have too much to say. Alright, for the plug it in, a fairly new artist known as Ziggy and the Suffering Gift. ⁓ And these guys kinda came across my radar. Actually fairly good, they've got a new out that they're trying to promote. It's ⁓ the Christian Rock Radio. There's lots of internet radio stations out there lots of Christian rock radio internet stations This one is kind of starting to make the rounds and make the waves. I always describe this as kind of a Southern rock sound ⁓ Anyways, so the latest single from Ziggy and the suffering gift is a song called wake up

Kris plamondon: Wow.

Arin Rockman H: So that was Wake Up From Ziggy and the Suffering Gift. the main guy who's in it is. Yup. Yup.

Kris plamondon: Arin? Arin, awake. I'm awake.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, yeah, so the main person in the band I guess his name is got his Scott and Ziegler I'm not sure who else is in the band that's about it as far as I know But if you like that and actually I saw you kind of grooving to that So sounds like you actually like or it looks like you like that So if you like that

Kris plamondon: Yes, that was pretty good. The lyrics were pretty good. You could understand it. Yeah, he could sure sing. The guitar riffs were really good.

Arin Rockman H: It's good yeah, and like I I that good, I don't know, would describe that Southern rock feel, kind of like an upbeat Lynyrd Skynryd sound, you know?

Kris plamondon: Yep.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, and like I said, don't know too much about them. I know they're starting to make the round. Maybe you'll find them coming across your feed on Facebook or the other socials. Maybe you'll find them coming across whatever Internet Radio, Christian Rock radio station you listen to. And if you don't hear them there, maybe ⁓ contact your favorite Internet Christian station tell them they need to play some of that.

Kris plamondon: And they can also play our episode. That would be cool.

Arin Rockman H: there you go well if you're into talk radio I guess if you want to hear two guys just yapping away

Kris plamondon: You know?

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ one other thing I did want to bring up and it kind of fits in with our theme too is so we're talking about songs of the cross. ⁓ this is going to be your first episode in April and sometimes I like to do an Easter episode. We actually did one where we kind of highlighted. Easter themed songs, the first year we had done this. So we had done songs, you know, like Messiah, the crucified by a blood good arc and a couple others by other bands. Those ones come to mind real fast. Yes. Time around. All I wanted was songs that had cross in the title. The genre didn't really matter too much as long as they were Christian. I've got 10 songs with a couple of honorable mentions. many songs did you come up with Kris?

Kris plamondon: I have about nine, yeah.

Arin Rockman H: Okay, so I'll go through my honorable mentions first and yeah, and then we'll go through and I know probably you and I will have a lot of

Kris plamondon: Okay.

Arin Rockman H: Okay, okay. All right. I was gonna say we might have a lot of the same picks and if we do that, that's okay. We'll just talk about them when they come up. And if we've mentioned them already, we'll quickly run through that anyways. But for my own mentions, actually, I want to bring up a guy I just discovered. In fact, I was just listening to today. Didn't even realize he had a song with cross in the title until I listened today. This guy out there I discovered because on Facebook, group pages, a of people are always looking for artists that sound like other artists. I'm not really sure why it matters other than the fact that, I'm listening to this artist already. This is where my listening style is. me some more, give me some Christian artists to sound like, you know, say I like Judas Priest and I go, Hey, I like Judas Priest. Who can I listen to on the Christian scene? And then you would say Saint. And we've done an episode of band to sound like mainstream bands, Christian bands, counterparts and all this. There's always more and more of those coming out that kind of have a sound like somebody else. Someone had asked, is there a Christian equivalent of disturbed? And the answer that came out was this guy named Peyton Parrish. I don't know much about him. It looks like he may not have been a Christian until recently and then Releases a new album. I think was last year and According to Spotify. This is his first Christiano So I listened to it. It's really good Definitely has some of the disturbed style to it. There's a couple of slow songs on there Where he sounds more like Scott's tap from Creed? So his style is kind of like Creed needs disturbed. He's got a song on his list is New Elm, think it's Evangel Cor 1. But he's got a song called Carry the Cross. So I just wanted to throw that in there as one of my honorable mentions. I'm doing my honorable mentions first, and then we'll get down to my main list. Also on my honorable mentions is The Crucified with Back to the Cross. from their self-titled album, came out in 1994. And also on my own mentions is DeGarmo and Key with Upon a Cross from the 1986 album Streetlight.

Kris plamondon: Wow, that's old.

Arin Rockman H: And here's the thing too with DeGarmo and Key, They had three songs with cross in the title. Two them, two of them made my list. I do kind of like that street light album It's a little softer, a little ⁓ more laid back, but it's good. It's kind of a bluesy feel to it. ⁓ I like it. But so that's where I am

Kris plamondon: Yes. Yeah, I like that too.

Arin Rockman H: with my honorable mentions. I'll do 10 and nine So number 10, I've got seventh day slumber with lead me to the cross off of their album take everything came out in 2009.

Kris plamondon: They're a big Christian contemporary Boy, ⁓ they put out some good over the years.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, well, and here's the one thing I notice anytime I listen to them. I know the songs already because it like they're doing cover songs of ⁓ artists and they're just making them a little bit heavier and stuff. Everything I've heard from them, I think our worship band has played in church, but I know our worship leader is not listening to seven days slumber, but more Chris Tomlin. and the Laura Engles or what's her name? I can't remember anyways, there's a Laura or something in there. All these other CCM guys and that, you know, probably stuff you hear on the message on serious satellite radio. And that's all the lighter stuff. So, you know, I know a lot of times, Kris, we mentioned a song.

Kris plamondon: Right.

Arin Rockman H: and you're like, sounds like so so so or the title sounds the same. there was a lot of times where bands will use titles from other bands, not that they're trying to copy the band. just write a song that happened to have the same title. It happens all the time.

Kris plamondon: And they do get permission. They probably have the right for it.

Arin Rockman H: No, you don't need permission. You cannot copyright a title. So anybody can write a song. No, not for a title. If you're copying anything from the song, yes. But if all you had is a title, and that's all that was similar, know, and bands write songs all the time that aren't anything close to other songs other than having the same title. Unless you're seven days slumber.

Kris plamondon: I thought you had to ask him.

Arin Rockman H: where they're always recording other band songs. Now this is why it made my number 10. I like the song, me to the cross. I like some, there's a bunch of other ones I think have covered that even probably even heavier bands have covered that one too. I think probably too many for me to even know who's all covered this song or who's all done this song. There was a couple others too that people brought up that, ⁓ You know, there's this song out there and it's one these old hymns that everybody has redone rocked up heavied up and all this I don't know I like lead me to the cross? Seventh Day Slumber is, know a little bit heavier than Chris Tomlin. So he makes my number ten

Kris plamondon: totally. Totally. I mean, we're not putting down Chris Tomlin but he's a legend in Christian music. But yeah, there's some of us who like heavy stuff.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, like his stuff is great in a church setting, a Sunday morning church setting. Otherwise, that's fine.

Kris plamondon: Yeah, that exactly, you know. Yeah.

Arin Rockman H: join our Facebook page ⁓ and I'll always stuff up there and we'll try and do a you know what's coming out we'll post links to the episodes although if you're listening I'm sure you already know how to find the episodes. The other thing ⁓ is yeah email. ⁓ other thing I was gonna say about news as well too. Is we're looking for comments and feedback on episodes. And maybe they're coming yet. I don't know. But all I can say is. You know that saying no news is good news. Well, the good news is we have not received any negative feedback from our last episode.

Kris plamondon: Yes, yes, people love us right now.

Arin Rockman H: No, we haven't received any feedback, so...

Kris plamondon: Feedback's good, whether it's good or bad, right?

Arin Rockman H: Yes. And if we say something, you know, talk about a record that we don't like and you like it, you know, let us know. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Kris plamondon: Yeah, we're willing to learn, you know? Yeah. ⁓

Arin Rockman H: Everybody's entitled is different opinions.

Kris plamondon: That's right.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, back to my list here. I'm gonna do... Okay, I'm gonna do number nine now. And my number nine comes from a legendary classic band, although this is one of their slower songs, more quieter songs. This is where I got Petra with Marks of the Cross off the 1993 record Wake Up Call.

Kris plamondon: I didn't hear that song before, tell this list and the... ⁓ I heard it earlier, what?

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ you must have heard it, hang on here.

Kris plamondon: I don't remember it. ⁓ yes. Remarks of the Black Jack. Yeah, I know. There are both glass, mark of the cross. Yes.

Arin Rockman H: So that was my number nine.

Kris plamondon: Yes, yes, I remember that hearing that in concert. That's why I sang along with it because it triggered it. Like, yes.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, so what was your number nine?

Kris plamondon: Number nine is the group. Well, I'm just going to pick one. Do remember Al Danson? He's part of the CCM group in one of the industry. He wrote a song called The Cross. It's a more ballad song. So I know we will play it here, but it's.

Arin Rockman H: Okay. All right. If you ever want me to play anything you pick that I don't have, you have to let me know.

Kris plamondon: I know, I know, I know. Yeah, I'll let you know. Next time we'll do it.

Arin Rockman H: Alright. Oh yeah, so that was called the cross by L. Alright.

Kris plamondon: out there in their 1990 album.

Arin Rockman H: Okay From my number eight then we're gonna go a little heavy now. Actually, we're gonna go ⁓ completely opposite from number nine We're gonna go with demon hunter and a song called Cross the bear from their extremist album in 2014 And stuff. Yeah, and it's a little different for demon hunter Stylistically, i'm not sure if they were kind of just starting out at this time And hadn't really figured out which style they were

Kris plamondon: Mmm. Yes, that's a good song.

Arin Rockman H: going because this is full out heavy, fast paced, the stuff they're known for doing now is much different sound. Not that I'm saying one is bad and one is wrong. just, this one is different than what they normally do now. So, you know, they've, I'm not sure, like said, where the, the song comes in their career wise other than the, it's, this is pretty old too. So maybe they were just starting out. and hadn't figured out which direction they were going to go yet as a band. heavy, but ⁓ a good song. I like that one. Actually, I think a lot of my list kind of jumps from heavy to light to heavy to light or whatever. So and I know I've got a lot of both heavy and lighter stuff on my list. All right. So your next song.

Kris plamondon: A ministry out of the states, grace sovereign music, they have one called At the Cross, which was just... I picked it because musically she, I mean, she just has the voice. And it rocks. It starts off slow, thinking that, it's gonna be a worship song. And then all of sudden the guitar guy, guitarist comes in and...

Arin Rockman H: Okay.

Kris plamondon: is like, yes, yes, but it doesn't go any further than that. It just means that she went up in her chest voice for the whole song. So it's, that was okay.

Arin Rockman H: Hehehehe All right. Good. ⁓ Good pick. Okay. My number seven is kind of another legendary artists from the band. Now these two guys are brothers. One has been with the band later in Skinner. The other one with 38 special is okay. Now these are like two brothers. ⁓ South and Rock, yeah, well one plays, I'm not sure who does which now. One plays and the other one sings. They're on the socials quite a bit. They've got a couple records out, last, actually a couple years ago now, in 2024, they came out with a new record called Always Look Up. They got a song on there actually called, just diverged from the topic for a little bit. got a, actually it's really good. It's kind of a country, kind of Southern rock. It's like Lynyrd Skynyrd toned down a little bit, a little bit of country rock mixed into it. Everybody called it Southern rock when it came out. I kind of thought it was more country rock. They got a song on that finishes off the record called Jesus Christ. That is more in the Lynyrd Skynyrd vein. Really good song, but they also have a song on there called Leaning on the Cross.

Kris plamondon: That's awesome. I like that.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah I figured you would, it's little slower right up your style

Kris plamondon: Come on, come on, come on.

Arin Rockman H: No, it's good. I like it too. It's one of the slower songs on the record. There are some more upbeat slightly heavier songs nothing on the record gets too heavy But definitely worth checking out

Kris plamondon: I was almost going to say, can I add Michael Sweets Jesus to my list? He doesn't mention the cross, but he mentions Jesus.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, well that'll be for another time when we'll pick songs dressed with Jesus.

Kris plamondon: Aw, come on! It's a guitar!

Arin Rockman H: Well there was a Stryper on my list ⁓ and you probably know where that one lines up. ⁓ We've said that before. Alright, what's your next song?

Kris plamondon: ⁓ yeah. Yeah, I know where that's going. Yeah. Take it to the cross by Dawn Friends another upbeat but it's more country song out of the US. So these are all people you don't know I didn't know either

Arin Rockman H: That's alright. ⁓ Maybe someone listening there will want to check them out. Check out your picks.

Kris plamondon: That's right, that's right. If you do mention my name.

Arin Rockman H: All right, well we're at my number six we're gonna do Actually, we're not gonna play a clip from this because we played a clip from this song before we did a whole episode from these guys actually couple episodes where we talked to one of the members of the band and That we're doing ⁓ one bad pig from the album I Scream Sunday that came out in 1991

Kris plamondon: I'm big.

Arin Rockman H: They have a song called Never Forget The Cross!

Kris plamondon: I think you just wanted to say that to get that expression.

Arin Rockman H: That's great song actually, you know what? That was one of my, I think, favorites from their record. Great song with a great message. You know, done in the one bad pig style, but great song, you know, so.

Kris plamondon: Awesome. And I never really thought it was one bad thing.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ well. ⁓ But yeah, if you haven't heard that, check out the episode we did reviewing one, Ice Cream Sunday, check those two episodes out. All right, ⁓ your next pick.

Kris plamondon: Cade Thompson, Come New Cross. Beautiful, acoustic,

Arin Rockman H: Okay, yeah. Any relation to Kris? Kris Thompson?

Kris plamondon: Yeah, Cade Thompson. Yeah.

Arin Rockman H: Right, okay. Come to the cross. an acoustic sound, okay. Good.

Kris plamondon: We could just spend the rest of the episode talking about Stryper.

Arin Rockman H: Well, we'll get there. You know, we're gonna get there. ⁓ we rarely have an I think an episode where we don't mention Stryper, so. Where are we? ⁓ hey, another band that we like on this episode besides Stryper. I have a number five. Guardian with Take Up Your Cross. This came off of fire. Guardian with Take Up Your Cross. This came off of fire.

Kris plamondon: ⁓ yeah. This song is better. Yeah. ⁓ yeah. This song is better. Yeah.

Arin Rockman H: This is better than what? This is better than what?

Kris plamondon: ⁓ it's one of their better songs. it's one of their better songs.

Arin Rockman H: It is! I like this. This came off of, I said, Fire in Love, came out in 1990. It is! I like this. This came off of, Fire in Love, came out in 1990. ⁓ and ⁓ it is great this is like an upbeat acoustic song kind of like acoustic blues slide ⁓ i ⁓ it's sound actually yeah it is this is like an upbeat acoustic song kind of like acoustic blues slide ⁓ i ⁓ think it's great actually

Kris plamondon: Yeah. Yeah.

Arin Rockman H: just trying to look up something, you know, that song actually is is interesting comes off fire in love which was a except for that song with full out hair metal type album blazing lips and riffs and then the end of the album with this song which Really comes out of left field, but really is a pretty cool song actually you know, that song actually is is interesting comes off fire in love which was a except for that song with full out hair metal type album blazing ⁓ lips and riffs ⁓ and the end of album with this song which Really comes out of left field, but really is a pretty cool song actually

Kris plamondon: I like the lyrics, the lyrics really fit and they jump around, turn around, give you a lot to do. I like the lyrics, the lyrics really fit and they jump around, turn around, give you a lot to do.

Arin Rockman H: Oh, it's great. It's great. It's Oh, it's great. It's great. It's catchy. You know, it's kind thing I think Bon Jovi had done like 89 there they released New Jersey, which was fairly rock an album and then they do this acoustic blues song at the very end just as a fun little thing. This one sounds like it would have been written or could have been written a couple of albums later on the Swing Swang Swung album. But instead, you know, this is like said ⁓ where are we? 1990, Fire and Love. But anyway, so that's that one.

Kris plamondon: Now I want to get into that album.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, your next pick

Kris plamondon: My next pick was... Okay, we talked about them, we talked about them. Don Frazer, take up the cross.

Arin Rockman H: Okay. All right. You might've mentioned that one already. I think so.

Kris plamondon: And I mentioned that why trying to make up space here, you know?

Arin Rockman H: Actually, we're gonna have a quick episode this time around ⁓

Kris plamondon: I know that's what I'm saying, that's what I'm saying, yeah. He's at the cross, Craig Thompson. I almost feel like I've shared them all.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ okay. Maybe done like other episodes where you miscounted and instead of having nine you only had like two or three and you just keep saying the same ones over.

Kris plamondon: No, have, see, I have evidence. I have a bunch of them.

Arin Rockman H: Well why didn't you write them in order and then just go down the list?

Kris plamondon: They are. That's what I was doing. Well, OK, the crop did that. OK, we did. Just to Petra Demons Hunter you mentioned already.

Arin Rockman H: Okay, well, I don't know how you I don't know how you're getting Well, okay, so if I mentioned something that's on your list, just bring it up and say, we've already talked about it, but this is on my list.

Kris plamondon: I know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, I mention Demon Hunter There we go.

Arin Rockman H: Okay, all right. So see there you go. There's a great song that we both picked just in different spots. Okay All right What do I got next in mine Well, we're I'm at number four ⁓ This is where I have the last ⁓ DeGarmon and key with a song called carry the cross This is off their two extremes album from 1994 This album is not bad. From Degarmon Key, this is probably their most rockin' Full of great rhythms, little licks here and there, all over the place. Carry the Cross. So by Degarmon Key. My number four. You got anything to say about that?

Kris plamondon: ⁓ Good legendary band. I heard that song and it's pretty good. Pretty good for that time and era. Yeah, totally rocks. ⁓

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, I just listened to most of that album today actually just to have listened to the record again. Anyways, alright, you got another pick?

Kris plamondon: How about Silent Scream? the Cross. Awesome song. ⁓ it's, what's the word, they're a choir. So I wasn't really, ⁓ But it's good song. ⁓ Good But I almost fell asleep when I was listening to it. So that's not good.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ okay. And you got that high on your list then it put you to sleep

Kris plamondon: Yes, that was well, then I found Demon Hunter and that woke me up pretty quickly. Yeah. Yeah, I know.

Arin Rockman H: Definitely. So now you gotta reverse the order. Put the one that put your sleep first and then put on Demon Hunter to wake you up.

Kris plamondon: Yes, yeah. And then of course, the next one, we're getting close to the band that we always talk about here on the rock. ⁓ okay.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, I'm at my number three. Well, hang on here, because I'm at my number three. And you should have three left. ⁓ OK. Well, that's right.

Kris plamondon: I was at number six. You're right, yeah. I think I mentioned my three though. That's my problem.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ have you? I don't So your problem is you're not organized.

Kris plamondon: That is what I learned this week. I had to work on my organizational skills. right.

Arin Rockman H: alright. My number three comes from actually a band, one of my top favorite bands besides Stryper, But another S band coming from the band ⁓ Saint off of Hellblade 2010. one of my top favorite bands besides Stryper, we're not there yet. But another S band coming from the band ⁓ Saint off of Hellblade in 2010.

Kris plamondon: Wow! Wow! Yes, yes. Okay, I did say there we go. Yes, yes. Okay, I did say there we go.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, so there you go. Alright, so there you go. This can be both our number threes then. And this is To The Cross. So that was my number three, To the Cross by Saint. ⁓ You know, and with Saint, ⁓ slowly their albums. think, like said, just in the last couple years, I've become a fan of theirs, so I'm picking up albums as I can. And HellBlade is one of my more recent purchases. ⁓ I've only had it a couple weeks. ⁓ I don't know if it's their best album. To the Cross by Saint. ⁓ You know, and with Saint, I'm ⁓ slowly gathering their albums. ⁓ like just in the couple years, I've become a fan of theirs, so I'm picking up albums as I can. ⁓ And HellBlade is one of more recent purchases. ⁓ actually, I've only had it a weeks. ⁓ And I don't know if it's best album.

Kris plamondon: Awesome. Awesome.

Arin Rockman H: probably would be down on the list if I was to rate all the Saint records but it has a song called To The Cross. It's Saint, it's heavy, it's good. So yeah, it's on my list. probably would be down on the list if I was to rate all the Saint records but it has a song called To The Cross. It's Saint, it's heavy, it's good. So yeah, it's on my list. Alright.

Kris plamondon: Yeah, yeah, that would definitely... Wow. Spotify, why aren't you letting me see these songs? Dang it.

Arin Rockman H: That should be there. All these songs should be Spotify.

Kris plamondon: I know, I know.

Arin Rockman H: I know they are because I sent a playlist of these sounds. Yeah.

Kris plamondon: You said them like I know. Yeah, but I can't open the link and go to Spotify, it doesn't do that. Instead, I have to go and type it in. And then it shows me the artist. But it didn't show me that. Awesome.

Arin Rockman H: Well, now that you bring that up, actually, I am going to put the link to this in the show notes anyways, because I believe I made a playlist of all of the songs that are on my list. I'm sorry, Kris, you didn't tell me your list ahead of time. the songs on your list are either the same as mine, or they're just too light to make the playlist.

Kris plamondon: Yeah. Yes, did. Yeah. Well, pretty much. Okay, they're similar, half similar. The other half are artists that I think our fan base may skip over. They might listen to five seconds of it, but you know.

Arin Rockman H: You never know, mean, I know there's lots of people out there that listen to different varieties all over the place. And I listen to a lot of too.

Kris plamondon: Yes, yes. I was looking for a Canadian band that had a mention of The Cross. I didn't find anything. with us.

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, I don't know. I was kind of looking under my ⁓ music library as well. ⁓ also want to mention too is we have a couple of playlists out there. ⁓ We got a playlist of all the artists Spotify has ⁓ of our plug-in artists. So if you want check those guys out, they're there. As long as the artists is on Spotify, they're on that playlist. The link to that is in the show notes. Because this is something a little bit special too with this episode. I made a playlist of my picks from this episode That is going to be its own playlist. I might throw a couple of songs from this ⁓ into our main playlist too. been making a playlist ⁓ of songs we play ⁓ the episode. And I usually pick like one or two per each episode and throw them on. So yeah, check out our playlist. You can probably find them under our podcast name, Rock and Metal Faith. And so another way to check out some of the stuff that we've been doing.

Kris plamondon: Hey, remind, do you have any fan, anybody new that we have to say hello to?

Arin Rockman H: right, we're down Yeah, go ahead. No. Well, and here's the problem with that is while we're doing well and we're gaining, slowly gaining new subscribers, only YouTube lets me see who is subscribing. So if you're listening on Spotify, you're listening on Apple.

Kris plamondon: Now our turn. You don't know.

Arin Rockman H: I don't know the names of anybody there. I'll know numbers, but that's all. So I'm not really going to do shout outs to specific people. What I will do though is shout outs to anyone who is signing up on our Facebook page. I'll get to see who's there. And if there's any new people signing up to that, I'll do shout outs to those guys. So if you haven't done so, sign up to our Facebook group page.

Kris plamondon: Paisable page, that's right.

Arin Rockman H: This is also a good time now to our usual shoutouts and tell everybody hey like subscribe the episode and share it out with your friends I'm sure you're not doing I'm sure yeah I'm sure you're not the only one who lists listens to Christian Rock or metal so get your friends listening to podcasts talking all about that if anybody you know ⁓ there you go

Kris plamondon: your dog, your cat, Yeah, let your church know, your church group. Yeah.

Arin Rockman H: all right so we're down to the last my last two you got two left on your own your list

Kris plamondon: Well, pretty much we both know what my final one would be.

Arin Rockman H: Alright, so how many do you have left? One or two? You got two? Okay, so what's your number two?

Kris plamondon: Stryper!

Arin Rockman H: That's your number two? Alright.

Kris plamondon: Well, I thought Stryper did two songs about the cross, really.

Arin Rockman H: Well, what was the second one you thought?

Kris plamondon: Down with the Cross and then the new one their back album, Not Hell with the Devil Cursed, the other album

Arin Rockman H: Down with a cross? I don't know that one. ⁓ I don't know. We'll talk about that with my number one though. So what was your other pick?

Kris plamondon: ⁓ no, my number one, one of them. ⁓ ⁓ yeah, this is what the cross is for worship out of Florida. It rocks. and then my final one is the one and only.

Arin Rockman H: Okay. Well, we'll get to that and I got you left my number two is Actually band we talked about a band that I think I turned you on to from the band Narnia They have a song called people of the blood red cross and Yeah, that was song was on my previous list talking about favorite Narnia songs

Kris plamondon: ⁓ yeah.

Arin Rockman H: It comes off the album Enter the Gate from 2006. Great band. Actually, talking about that too, and I missed this in the news, so I'll bring it up now. Narnia is expected to release a brand new album this year. Probably soon. The band is already teasing that the new album is ready and should be out soon. I've already been looking, trying to see.

Kris plamondon: ⁓ that's why.

Arin Rockman H: if it's available anywhere. this is how close to release it is.

Kris plamondon: You shouldn't just do that. You should book them to come on and talk about the album.

Arin Rockman H: You'll be sleeping because they're all the way in Sweden.

Kris plamondon: I forgot about that. I forgot about that. That's right. I forgot about that. Forget that idea. Yeah, that, that, we'd have to wake up really early.

Arin Rockman H: we are a bit of night owls maybe maybe they're waiting now. I don't know but anyways So that brings us yes to our number one and we've been teasing it for last a little while now Of course anytime we can say Stryper we get to say Stryper any ⁓ we have a question Stryper is the answer even if it's ⁓

Kris plamondon: Right. Yeah, sorry.

Arin Rockman H: Even if it is, what is your favorite country band? Stryper is still the answer.

Kris plamondon: Who's still? You know what?

Arin Rockman H: So they have yeah

Kris plamondon: Did Petra, ⁓ yeah, we did that Marker of the Cross. I thought they had more than one song about the cross though. That's what I thought was.

Arin Rockman H: Yes, we do, Petra. ⁓ As far as I know just the one I'm actually kind of surprised that how few songs are out there with cross in the ⁓ without bands covering the same song, but anyways, yes, so

Kris plamondon: You can't believe how many rap songs I found. That was crazy.

Arin Rockman H: Should we finished my number one pick here from the album God damn evil in 2018 we have Take it to the cross This is actually one of their heavier songs Borderline thrash when it gets to the chorus. It's great song. I do have a clip of it I'm thinking I'm gonna save it for the very very end and we'll kind of go out with that clip

Kris plamondon: And evil, that's what it was. That's what it was. price. Yes.

Arin Rockman H: Unless you got anything more to add.

Kris plamondon: the to the cross

Arin Rockman H: That's a great song. Again, like I said, we love Stryper here. And what more can you say?

Kris plamondon: I think love isn't the right word. think it's... ⁓ Yeah, okay, maybe love is, yeah.

Arin Rockman H: Were you going to say we're obsessed with them?

Kris plamondon: I thought I was thinking through that but no no we could almost say we're the rock n metal faith plus love Stryper show

Arin Rockman H: Well, there is one out there actually ⁓ doing that already but yes,

Kris plamondon: Really?

Arin Rockman H: So we've exhausted your list, have we Kris?

Kris plamondon: Yeah, we got through my list

Arin Rockman H: All right, let's just quickly, ⁓ maybe do a recap of my list here. Number 10, lead me to the cross by seventh day slumber. Number nine marks of the cross from Petra. Number eight cross to bear by demon hunter. Number seven, leaning on the cross by van zandt. Number six, Never forget the cross by one bad pig. Five. Take up your cross from guardian. Four. Carry the cross by DeGarmo and key. Three. To the cross from saint. 2. People of the Blood Red Cross from Narnia. And then number 1. Take it to the Cross by Stryper. God damn evil. Alright. Great. That's one of my favorites. Not my favorite favorite, but one of my favorites anyways.

Kris plamondon: across. I really like God damn evil. I think that's awesome.

Arin Rockman H: It's good song too. You tell me the album or the song.

Kris plamondon: ⁓ The album in itself is pretty good, but God damn evil and then take it to the cross. isn't there one after that like the valley or something?

Arin Rockman H: Yeah. Yes, that was on the other one. ⁓

Kris plamondon: I could have put that song on this list, cause that talked about the cross. Yeah!

Arin Rockman H: Yeah, we're not talking about songs that talk about it. There's lots out there that mention the cross in the lyrics. We're talking about the cross in the title.

Kris plamondon: in the title. Well I'm adding the valley because I'm allowed to. I think it's a good song. I mean, god damn it.

Arin Rockman H: Yes. No you're not. That's not... That's against the rules. Oh, it's a great song, but that doesn't fit this episode. I love that. Actually, one of my favorites probably could be my favorite Stryper is that album, which is even the devil believes, but we're not talking about that. We're talking about take it to the cross. So yeah, everybody, like I said, share this episode out. Let's, know, don't keep this a secret from. Yeah, we're over here.

Kris plamondon: Take a look. Yes. Thank you for watching.

Arin Rockman H: ⁓ Don't keep it a secret from your friends. We don't want to the best kept secret. We'd like everybody to know about us.

Kris plamondon: We want everybody to know about us. Well, okay.

Arin Rockman H: Yes. So yeah, show us out and like, subscribe and all those good things. And you know what? Actually, too, I'm to start a mailing list. So if you want to be on our mailing list and find out what's coming out, what's coming up, email the podcast, rocknmetal.faith@gmail Anyways, we're to off with.

Kris plamondon: ⁓

Arin Rockman H: Stryper's, take it to the cross.

Kris plamondon: ⁓ yeah. Huh? Wow.

Carey Kosher Womack: Yo everybody, this is Kosher from One Bad Pig. You are listening to Rock Metal Faith Podcast.