Reviewed by David Cranson

Deliverance first appeared on an album called 'California Metal' back in 1987.  They stuck out because they were louder and faster.  This release is their first two albums from '89 and '90 on one CD.  Unlike some others, you can make out most of the lyrics and they do hit home at times.  Jimmy Brown, mainstay and lyricist, was very much to the point in a lot of his writing.  For example, off 'Weapons.': "Will you be wrapped in the chains of torment or pass from death into life?" from "Greetings Of Death".  Or from the first album: "There is only right and wrong, there is no in between/The spirits of Hell are calling, are beckoning thee/A bloody cross stands alone on a hill, It cries out to the souls of men/Accept him if you will./There is only one choice my friend- choose Christ if you will!" ("If You Will").  Some would say too simple, but that's the message - "Choose Christ or else.".  There are a couple of standout tracks, the chugga-funky (!) "The Call" and "Jehovah Jireh" - ("His grace is sufficient for me!") from 'Deliverance' and "23" and "Solitude" from 'Weapons.' (okay that's four but who's counting).  Psalm 23 never sounded so - different.  Actually, I found my feet tapping to this, it really is that good - thrash with rhythm.  They went on to some great things - including a rather, erm, groovy version of "Silent Night" - from '91's 'What A Joke'; but this is how it all started.  They even managed a video to "Weapons Of Our Warfare" on MTV.  Pioneers indeed.

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