Eternal Ryte - World Requiem (Pure Metal) 1990

1. "Tightrope Dancer" (4:37)
2. "Requiem" (4:42)
3. "Someone to Love" (4:19)
4. "Say Hello" (4:48)
5. "The Killer" (3:06)
6. "Surrender" (4:02)
7. "On the Line" (3:42)
8. "You and Me" (5:01)
9. "The King" (5:14)
10. "No More Lies" (3:52)

I remember when this CD came out because I was on a strict "Christian music only" diet. I bought everything and anything that was labeled "Christian metal". "World Requiem" was similar in style to band's like Dokken, Mass, Stryper, Holy Soldier, etc. Eternal Ryte were unashamedly, 100%, Hollywood, big hair, heavy metal. This should have been right up my alley and would have been had it come out a year or two earlier. At the time I was focusing more on thrash metal. Bands like Believer, Sacrament, Deliverance and Vengeance Rising were my forté. Still I purchased this tape and gave it some playtime. I remember being disappointed with the overall production, especially compared to the band's demo from a year before which had a heavier, edgier sound. I hadn't listened to cassette tapes in some time, so it had been over a decade since I had last heard this album. Unfortunately after being able to listen to this album on CD, I still think the production is lacking and robs the band of the power they had. If they had only had a better recording this CD could have easily riveled the aforementioned band, as well as bands like Skid Row. Musically, this is L.A. metal at it's finest. Phil St. Vincent has a fine voice and Bobby Smith is a total shredder. Unfortunately this would be the only proper album this band would record. With some proper remastering, or oveall remixing, this CD would be killer. Songs like "Tightrope Dancer" are good as they are but would be even better with a beefier mix. Here's hoping that might happen someday.

In 2007 Roxx Productions in California was working on a 2-CD re-release of "World Requiem", along with a bunch of bonus material. Included on the remastered re-release will be the 1987 Anthem demo, as well as other rare material. Looking forward to that.

Two of the band members commented on this album at HeavyHarmonies.com:
From: Bobby Smith Date: February 19, 2004
I thought the guitar player kick ass. ha ha ha. Of course I would, I am the guitar player that formed said band. I do have say it was fun recording that record... I have done 3 more CD's since ER. I had formed a swing/rockabilly band in 1994-2001 called Jumpin' Jimes. "They Rock They Roll They Swing" came out in 1998. I did a CD with my current band called 18 Wheeler in 2001, and just released a 5 song live CD called 18 Wheeler "Live and 4 Shots In", all of which you can find at www.18wheeler.net.

From: Phil St Vincent Date: January 26, 2005
That critique was pretty much on the money. It was half fun making it (World Requiem) & the other half was sheer torture, as was evidence on the finished product. When one of the first things your producer tells you is that he really doesn't like LA bands you know it's gonna hurt...it DID! Not as much fun recording for me as for Bob. Early AM vocal sessions that go 12-14 hours are not the way to record. It was fun being with my pals though. That will always be the thing I loved about making the CD.