State of Control
Barren Cross · 1989
50 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless blend of heavy metal riffs and thought-provoking lyrics that confront societal issues with fervor.
Top tracks — play these first
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State of Control — The title track encapsulates the album's themes, combining aggressive instrumentation with lyrics that critique societal norms and personal struggles.
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Bigotry Man (Who Are You) — This song stands out for its direct confrontation of prejudice and discrimination, showcasing the band's commitment to addressing social issues head-on.
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Cryin' Over You — With its emotional depth, this track balances heavy riffs with heartfelt lyrics about resilience in the face of heartbreak, revealing a more vulnerable side of the band.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic riffs with socially conscious lyrics, creating a distinctive sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features rapid tempo changes and complex guitar solos, setting a high-energy tone.
- Several tracks incorporate dual guitar harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the melodic structure.
- Lyrically, the songs tackle societal issues directly, with verses often structured to build tension before resolving in the chorus.
- The final track features an extended instrumental outro that contrasts with the lyrical intensity of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- thought-provoking lyrical intensity
- cathartic energy release
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- short bursts of raw emotion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, soothing sounds
- seek lighthearted themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1989, 'State of Control' is Barren Cross's third studio album, following their previous work, 'Rattle Your Cage'. At this point in their career, Barren Cross had established themselves within the Christian metal scene, navigating the complexities of faith and social commentary through their music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bloodgood· Sacred Warrior· Holy Soldier
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 State of Control 3:52
- 2 Out of Time 4:08
- 3 Cryin' Over You 4:52
- 4 A Face in the Dark 3:55
- 5 The Stage of Intensity 6:35
- 6 Hard Lies 4:17
- 7 Inner War 4:09
- 8 Love at Full Volume 2:27
- 9 Bigotry Man (Who Are You) 4:42
- 10 Two Thousand Years 7:08
- 11 Your Love Gives 3:50
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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