【Pls look at the top comment first】Watchmen was formed in 1984 in Seattle, Washington. Originally, the band was called "Crosstalk", but shortly after forming, they changed their band name to "Watchmen". Here Watchmen should be distinguished from another notable Canadian alternative rock band "The Watchmen" and an Argentine hard rock band, also called "Watchmen".

The meaning behind the name "Watchmen" is found in Ezekiel 33. Also the band gave reference to Isaiah 52:8. Here I quote one part from it. "The voices of your watchmen they lift up their voices, shouting for joy together; for every eye will see when the LORD returns to Zion." From the band's name, they carried very profound connotation for the faith.

The band was founeded by vocalist Greg Sweet and keyboardist Kevin Anholt. They released two albums in 1987 and 1989 with no more stuffs. But during their active years in the late 1980s, I think Watchmen had warm popularity, which I saw from their live show online. As a band with a self-titled debut, Watchmen did a good job to make their music welcome.

Originally, Watchmen was a Christian metal band, injecting the flaming passion to Christian rock with their melodic metal debut in 1987, entitled "Fear No Evil". In 1989, they released the second album "Generation" and added more melodic rock elements to creations as we hear their music in this album doesn't sound as heavy as the debut.

Search their gig online and feel the passion from the great charms of 1980s melodic metal that the song carries. It is never too exaggerated to say that Watchmen perfectly combined evangelization with rock performance. If the band could exsist today, this would become a big name.

In comparison, Watchmen softened their image in "Generation". Musically, this album is a brilliant melodic hard rock gem or sometimes it is even considered as an aor release by some people who think "Generation" was created softly and neatly. The album was produced by Terry Shelton and Watchmen and recorded at Shelton Sound.

The songs from Watchmen remind me of Christian rock legend Bloodgood. Their songs have so many intercommunities with Bloodgood from music arrangement and the voice feature from the singers as if their albums featured the same person on producing. Incredibly, Terry Shelton was the same producer and arranger for both Bloodgood and Watchmen. Moreover, the lead vocalist from Bloodgood Les Carlsen performed on backing vocals for Watchmen. For whoever has impression from Bloodgood, Les Carlsen and Greg Sweet have so many intercommunities on vocals. Just compare this song "Straight" with Bloodgood's "The World" to feel how the two masterpieces sound alike.

Bloodgood was formed as a Christian metal band, but their 1988 album "Rock In A Hard Place" was a melodic hard rock gem, which was added more melodious creations, produced and arranged by Terry Shelton. The style change between "Generation" and their debut "Fear No Evil" was very similar to Bloodgood. Moreover, both the bands come from Seattle.

Apart from this recommended song "Straight", "Turn", "Stand Strong", "Breakin' The Chains", "United" and "Defenders" carry the rocking passion with strong guitar works and solid drum beats. "Best Friend" is a bluesy-oriented ballad, featuring saxophone on solos. The masterpiece "I Will Be There" is a best choice for aor fans with saxophone arrangements. With the last power ballad "One Day" coming, that is the farewell moment of Watchmen.

Both of Watchmen's albums are memorable, including top-class creations. From the themes of their works, the songs are filled with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ as the lyrics are overtly Christ centered.
#MelodicRock #HardRock #Watchmen #CCM

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