Bloodgood – Rock In A Hard Place (*Red Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) Only 200 Units
Musicians
Les Carlsen – Lead Vocals
David Zaffiro – Guitars
Michael Bloodgood – Bass
Mark Welling – Drums
- Originally released 1988 on Frontline Records
- Third classic album by iconic Christian rockers, Bloodgood
- Featuring the hit track, “Seven”
- Remaster by Rob Colwell
- 12×12 insert w lyrics and band pics
- Artwork layout by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal
- Last album with legendary axeman, David Zaffiro (Zion, Holy Soldier)
- Limited to just 200 units, Red Vinyl
ABOUT THE ALBUM
When Bloodgood released Rock In A Hard Place in 1988, it caught many fans completely off guard. The blistering metallic attack of the band’s earlier releases gave way to a more melodic, polished, and emotionally layered hard rock approach — but make no mistake, this album still carries the unmistakable passion, conviction, and power that made Bloodgood one of the most important bands in Christian metal history.
Instead of chasing trends, Bloodgood expanded their sound. Songs like “She’s Gone” reveal a haunting emotional depth, while “Shakin’ It” bursts forward with swagger and arena-ready hooks. “Never Be The Same” and “Heaven On Earth” showcase the band’s gift for memorable melodies without sacrificing intensity. Then there’s “Seven” — a thunderous, dramatic closer that reconnects the band to the heavier spirit of their earlier classics and remains one of the standout tracks in the Bloodgood catalog.
This album also marks the final Bloodgood release featuring legendary guitarist David Zaffiro, whose fiery playing and unmistakable style helped define the band’s classic era. His work throughout Rock In A Hard Place is both tasteful and explosive, proving why he remains one of the most respected guitarists in Christian hard rock and metal.
For this definitive Retroactive Records vinyl edition (only 200 copies, Red Vinyl), Rob Colwell delivers a powerful new remaster that finally gives the album the warmth, punch, and low-end presence it always deserved. Combined with Scott Waters’ stunning artwork restoration and layout work, this release breathes new life into a criminally underrated melodic hard rock masterpiece.
Whether you discovered this album back in the late 80s or are hearing it for the first time, Rock In A Hard Place stands today as a bold and unforgettable chapter in the legacy of Bloodgood — melodic, passionate, honest, and timeless.
Track Listing:
“Shakin’ It” (2:52), “Never Be The Same” (3:59), “The Presence” (3:29), “What Have I Done?” (3:41), “Heaven On Earth” (3:43), “Do Or Die” (2:21), “She’s Gone” (4:29), “World (Keeps Movin’ Around)” (4:09), “Seven” (4:47)
Bloodgood – Out of the Darkness (*Blue Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) Limited 200 copies!
KEY COLLECTOR DETAILS
- Originally released 1989 on Frontline Records
- #18 on top 50 albums of the 80’s by Angelic Warlord
- Fourth classic album by iconic Christian rockers, Bloodgood
- Featuring the hit tracks, “Mad Dog World” & “Top of the Mountain”
- Remaster by Rob Colwell
- 12×12 insert w lyrics and band pics
- Artwork layout by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal
- Limited to just 200 units, Blue Vinyl
#18 on the Top 50 Albums of the 80’s by AngelicWarlord.com
A close second on my list of favorite Bloodgood albums but does not quite have the historic impact of Detonation. Regardless, it features the heavier guitar and drum sounds along with two of the best ballads you will every hear (“Top Of The Mountain” & “Changing Me”).
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Released in 1989, Bloodgood’s Out of the Darkness marked the beginning of a new era for one of Christian metal’s most important bands. Following the departure of legendary guitarist David Zaffiro, many fans wondered what Bloodgood would sound like moving forward. The answer was an album that confidently carried the band into a more melodic, polished, and arena-ready hard rock direction without losing the heart, conviction, and intensity that made them legendary in the first place.
Rather than trying to recreate the past, Bloodgood evolved. Out of the Darkness blends massive hooks, emotional songwriting, powerful rhythms, and polished production into a record that stands as one of the strongest melodic hard rock releases in the band’s catalog. Tracks like “Mad Dog World” deliver driving energy and attitude, while “Top of the Mountain” remains one of the band’s most uplifting and memorable anthems. Throughout the album, Les Carlsen’s unmistakable voice carries both grit and vulnerability, giving the songs emotional weight that still resonates decades later.
Often overlooked beside the band’s earlier heavier material, Out of the Darkness has earned increasing appreciation over time for its songwriting strength, maturity, and accessibility. Angelic Warlord ranked the album #18 on its list of the Top 50 Christian Metal Albums of the 1980s — recognition that confirms the album’s lasting impact and importance within the genre.
For this definitive Retroactive Records vinyl edition, Rob Colwell’s remaster brings new depth, warmth, and clarity to the recording, allowing these songs to hit harder and sound fuller than ever before. Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal also provides a refreshed artwork layout worthy of this classic release.
More than thirty-five years later, Out of the Darkness remains a shining example of late-80s melodic hard rock done right — passionate, memorable, inspiring, and timeless.
Tracks
1. “Out of the Darkness” (3:43)
2. “Let My People Go” (4:09)
3. “America” (4:04)
4. “It’s Alright” (3:44)
5. “Top Of the Mountain” (6:30)
6. “Hey! You” (4:04)
7. “Mad Dog World” (4:24)
8. “Changing Me” (6:38)
9. “New Age Illusion” (3:18)
Sacred Warrior – Rebellion (Yellow Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) Limited 200 copies!
KEY COLLECTOR DETAILS
- Iconic debut album from Sacred Warrior (Intense Records, 1988)
- 95% Review on Angelic Warlord
- #1 album on top albums from 1988 on Angelic Warlord
- Remastered by Rob Colwell
- Layout by NoLifeTilMetal’s Scott Waters
- 12×12 lyrics insert
- First time ever on Yellow Vinyl!
- Limited to just 200 copies
- Part of the exclusive Metal Icon Series
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Released in 1988 on Intense Records, Sacred Warrior’s Rebellion didn’t just introduce a new band to the Christian metal scene — it announced the arrival of one of the most ambitious, sophisticated, and powerful progressive metal acts of the era. Combining soaring vocals, intricate guitar work, dramatic songwriting, and spiritually charged themes, Sacred Warrior created an album that immediately separated itself from nearly everything else happening in Christian metal at the time.
Drawing comparisons to Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory, Fates Warning, and Iron Maiden, Rebellion blended technical precision with emotional intensity in a way that felt both intelligent and deeply passionate. Rey Parra’s commanding vocal performance became one of the defining elements of the album, effortlessly shifting from melodic restraint to powerful high-register intensity, while the band’s musicianship delivered progressive arrangements without sacrificing heaviness or memorable hooks.
Tracks like “Rebellion,” “Heaven’s Rage,” and “The Flood” helped establish the album as an underground classic, but Rebellion works best as a complete listening experience — dramatic, cinematic, and spiritually thought-provoking from beginning to end. More than thirty-five years later, the album still sounds fresh, unique, and emotionally gripping.
Over time, Rebellion has earned legendary status among Christian metal fans and collectors alike. The Angelic Warlord website awarded the album an incredible 95% review score and ranked it the #1 Christian Metal Album of 1988, placing it alongside the most respected releases of the entire decade.
This definitive Retroactive Records Metal Icon Series edition finally gives Rebellion the deluxe vinyl treatment it deserves. Featuring a powerful remaster by Rob Colwell, stunning updated artwork and layout work by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal, and a full-size 12×12 lyrics insert, this release presents the album with renewed clarity, depth, and visual impact.
Pressed for the first time ever on Yellow Vinyl and limited to just 200 copies worldwide, this collector’s edition celebrates one of the true masterpieces of Christian progressive power metal.
TRACK LISTING
1 Black Metal
2 Mad, Mad World
3 Stay Away From Evil
4 He Died
5 Children Of The Light
6 Rebellion
7 Day Of The Lord
8 The Heavens Are Calling
9 Famine
10 Master Of Lies
11 Sword Of Victory
Sacred Warrior – Wicked Generation (Blue Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) Limited 200 copies!
KEY FEATURES & COLLECTOR DETAILS
- 1990 Progressive Power Metal Classic (Intense Records)
- 85% review on the Angelic Warlord website
- Limited to just 200 copies, Blue Vinyl (first time color variant)
- Part of the exclusive Metal Icon Series
- 12×12 lyrics insert
- Remastered by Rob Colwell
- Artwork and layout by Scott Waters (NoLifeTilMetal)
- One of very few Christian “concept albums” dealing with abuse & healing
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Released in 1990 on Intense Records, Sacred Warrior’s Wicked Generation stands as one of the most ambitious and emotionally powerful albums ever released in Christian metal. At a time when most bands were content writing disconnected songs about fantasy, rebellion, or surface-level spirituality, Sacred Warrior delivered something far deeper — a progressive power metal concept album that fearlessly explored themes of abuse, pain, brokenness, justice, and ultimately healing and redemption.
Musically, Wicked Generation pushed the band far beyond traditional heavy metal boundaries. Building on the progressive melodic metal style they had become known for, Sacred Warrior crafted a record filled with soaring vocals, intricate guitar work, dramatic arrangements, and emotionally charged songwriting. The influence of bands like Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory, and Fates Warning can certainly be heard, but Sacred Warrior carved out a sound and identity entirely their own — intelligent, melodic, heavy, and spiritually compelling.
Songs flow together with purpose and emotional weight, creating an album experience that feels cinematic and immersive from beginning to end. Rather than offering easy answers, Wicked Generation wrestles honestly with darkness, trauma, and the consequences of human brokenness while still pointing toward hope and restoration. Few albums in Christian metal history attempted something this bold — and even fewer succeeded this completely.
Over time, Wicked Generation has become a cult classic among fans of progressive and melodic metal, earning an impressive 85% review score from the Angelic Warlord website and continuing to gain appreciation from listeners discovering the album decades later.
This definitive Retroactive Records Metal Icon Series edition finally gives the album the treatment it deserves. Rob Colwell’s remaster breathes new life into the recording with greater depth, clarity, and power, while Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal provides stunning updated artwork and layout work worthy of this progressive metal masterpiece.
More than thirty-five years later, Wicked Generation remains one of the most unique, intelligent, and emotionally resonant albums in Christian metal history — a fearless artistic statement that still sounds powerful today.
TRACKS
No Happy Endings 5:09
Little Secrets 6:18
Standing Free 5:00
Are You Ready 3:05
Minister By Night 3:35
Miss Linda 4:51
In The Night 5:58
Warriors 3:13
Wicked Generation 4:44
War Torn Hero 4:57
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 