LAZARUS: Exegesis
White Metal Warriors
UK’s Lazarus has for many years remained an enigma to the Christian metal community. The infamous 1991 White Metal Warriors compilation CD (Kingsway/Edge Records) – yeah, that one with songs by legends Seventh Angel and Detritus – featured two songs from this upstart power/classic metal band named Lazarus. Surprisingly those two songs, “Do or Die” and “Overpower,” turned out to be two of the best songs on the release!
Exegesis Exhumed
Oddly, we never heard anything else from this promising band because their full-length recording Exegesis (recorded in 1991) never saw the light of day due to some incredibly strange (and unfortunate) series of events. Ah, you will have to read the interview (in 2-parts) by journalist Olaf Becker with band guitarist Stuart Pope to discover the truth of what happened, and the amazing story of how this release see’s the light of day after 30 some years.
In 2023, Greek label Cult Metal Classics/Sonic Age Records issued a CD version of the original album (plus 3 bonus tracks). The CD is housed in a jewel case with 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes and lyrics. The interview by Olaf Becker (who tracked down Stuart Pope and then the original recording and then presented the album to his friends at CMC) with guitarist Stuart Pope is quite lengthy and insightful. In addition to all the song lyrics, the booklet includes song notes by vocalist Jonathan Budd to the 11 original tracks.
The Sound of Exegesis
Sonically, this recording sounds great. Lazarus consisted of (on this recording) five musicians. Aside from drummer Paul Jarrett, the other four guys all play a guitar (acoustic/bass/lead) so these songs are infused with tons of guitar crunch, shred and melodic noodling.
Stylistically, call this guitar heavy rock/classic metal. While some might call it power metal – pre-1990 the term would apply – this isn’t “power” metal by the standards which would characterize much of the fast, double-bass drum propelled metal which would infiltrate the underground metal scene during the mid to late ‘90’s (and persist to this day).
Lengthy Exegesis
Impressively, Exegesis contains a ton of music – the original songs clock in at over 60 minutes, which might be one fair criticism. As edgy and aggressive as the songs play out, there is a bit of a “sameness” which may tax, by the end, even the most ardent fan. The songs (as can be observed from the track listing) are mostly of the 5–6-minute variety.
Eclectic Gospel Exegesis
Interestingly, while Lazarus shared the most in common with Seventh Angel in guitar sound (when compared to the other bands on the White Metal Warriors compilation), they possessed a more Gospel-oriented lyrical approach.
In retrospect, some of these lyrics may feel a bit “dated” in 2024, but they were “spot-on” for the era during which they were penned. In 1990/1991 neither the Christian church (neither in the UK or here in the US) had come anywhere close to embracing “Christians” playing heavy rock/metal music without a heavy eye of skepticism.
Therefore, a song like “Mockingbird” – the balladic quality a departure here – speaks to the criticism (“mocking”) musician followers of Christ frequently endured circa late ‘80’s/early ‘90’s.
Similarly, the drama presented in songs like “Violent Obsession” (a rant against media sensationalism fostered during the Bosnian war/genocide), “The Aquarian Conspiracy” (a rant against New Age-ism) and the sister song track “Utopia” (a rant against the escapism of drugs and meditation and wishful thinking) serves to showcase Lazarus’ ability to simultaneously shred metal while lyrically espousing something of substance in terms of the cultural relevance of the day.
Contrastingly, “Love is a Crimson Flood” is one of those tongue-in-cheek songs with wit and creativity – the jazz interlude a departure from the metal catharsis which precedes. Similarly, the original release closes out with 2 short numbers, “If I Were You” (a warning against atheistic/agnostic philosophy) and the instrumental rendering of the hymn “What a Friend.”
Extra Exegesis
The “bonus” material here includes those two amazing songs from the White Metal Warriors compilation – “Do or Die” and “Overpower.” Additionally, the demo “On To Jerusalem” was never previously released, but is yet another powerhouse of raw, yet cleanly produced heavy metal might with a message of outreach/hope.
“Love, love is a crimson flood/A healing stream of holy blood/I feel it washing over me”
Exit Exegesis
Exegesis is a diamond in the ruff, a missing piece in the UK white metal puzzle, a long-lost piece of Christian metal history which has been joyfully brought to the light of day by the folks at Cult Metal Classics. Limited to 500 units.
Track Listing:
1. Seein’ Ain’t Always Believin’ (6:23)
2. Violent Obsession (5:58)
3. Silver Goddess (5:50)
4. Caesar Rush (4:24)
5. Aquarian Conspiracy (5:15)
6. Mockingbird (6:03)
7. Utopia (5:05)
8. Catharsis (5:30)
9. Love is a Crimson Flood (6:09)
10. If I Were You (1:28)
11. What a Friend (1:08)
12. Do or Die (5:06)
13. Overpower (4:42)
14. Onto Jerusalem (5:23)
About Author
Hi Johnathan, thanks for the review. Yes, when I listened to the album again in 2020 I realised that we should have condensed the songs somewhat. Beginnings were too long that sort of thing.
It was a lifetime ago, but was a lot of fun.
We met up again recently to celebrate the release and reminisce about ‘old times’, the first time we’ve all been together in 30 years.
Thanks again
Stuart Pope