In many ways, a 12-cut compilation of the work of Whitecross doesn’t quite sum it up. It’s not that everything here isn’t great: it is. Put these dudes up against Ratt or W.A.S.P. any day and they kick some serious butt, not only in terms of sheer musicianship, but in songwriting as well. Whitecross blazed across the CCM world as a growling, snarling, blasting heavy metal group. They looked tough, played tough, and made great records. This compilation concentrates itself on the earliest three, but unfortunately there is precious little from the late albums here. Another small complaint is that the fantastic power ballads the group did, such as “You Will Find It There,” or “I Keep Prayin’” are here. Oh well. What is here rocks the joint hard; this is lift-off music, as in lift you to heaven: check “Shakedown,” “Dancin’ In Heaven,” and “Enough Is Enough.” Some of the best ’90s metal is right here. – Thom Jurek
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