New Singer Dean Kohn studied for two years under renowned vocal teacher, Elizabeth Sabine, who has trained many Hollywood artists such as Don Barnes of .38 Special, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and Michael Sweet of Stryper.
Dean first broke on a large scale in 1988, singing full-time for the underground metal band ATTAKK, which had a huge cult following. Dean would move on to practice and enter pre-production record with Japanese metal band Loudness for their CD, Soldiers of Fortune, though they replaced him. By 1989, Dean was full time in a metal band called Malice, known for their time touring with Slayer. Dean, as many victims of the time and scene fell to drugs and alcohol and left the band and music. Dean announced his coming to Christianity in 1991, but remained under the radar onto now.
Original lead singer Michael Lee has moved on and pursued his solo music project as Barren Cross reunites with new music and a passionate new singer. In 2008 they announced a successful short-term reunion with a few international reunion concerts. Now they have followed that up and announced their return to the studio with new music.
Barren Cross was known for their bold and unwavering outspoken voices on justice and political issues thats were prevalent in their day. Also a defining trademark was their similarity to Iron Maiden. Barren Cross formed on the heels of bands like Stryper, in the early 1980's, and has seen their share of successes since their start in 1983. In 1985 their first EP, Believe, was produced by award winning producers, John & Dino Elefante. "Believe", a independent release, garnered national attention and trade marking their raw metal sound. The following year, Christian label, Star Song Records, released their first full length, and still widely sought after CD, Rock for the King.
The attention, record sales and buzz that was now forming around Barren Cross, attracted mainstream recording label Enigma Records (now Capitol Records) to sign them to their label. Barren Cross took their seat of honor next to label mates, Poison, Ratt, Slayer, Stryper and other legends of classic metal. The Band Released one of their top selling CD's; a full length CD called Atomic Arena on Enigma Records.
In 1989, as a follow up to their Enigma debut, they released a third CD, considered their most successful release, State of Control also on Enigma Records.
By 1990 they saw a full production Live CD on mainstream Medusa Records called Hotter than Hell Live! A few months later, Rock for the King was reissued and has since become a collector's item. Subsequently, the band enjoyed a bit of a break while lead singer Michael Lee pursued another project (becoming writer and lead vocalist for the band, BareBones) until Barren Cross' last release (to date) in 1994 on Christian Label; Rugged Records, the stylistically evolved release, Rattle your Cage. At the height of their career and large audiences, the band faded quickly into oblivion.
Besides six major label releases (five of them full-length), Barren Cross earned their stripes through relentless touring in their day; many full US and World Tours. Their sound and full passion for what they do has earned them respect and airplay on VH1, MTV, countless radio stations and several label and metal compilations. For over twenty years, international music magazines have featured the band consistently, confirming with certainty that this is a band that cannot be limited by time or trends. Their sound is as raw and tight as ever and there is no question that it can only be described as full-fledged rock for the King that will rattle your cage.
As they say, Rock and Roll never dies. There have been many incarnations of Rock and Roll over the years, but perhaps none as engaging as the music culture that erupted out of the scene in the late seventies and eighties. For the first time it seems Rock and Roll had come into it's own, and become more than a style of music. Perhaps if Rock and Roll never dies, then neither will the forefathers of this edge-defying genre that helped develop the culture we are in today.
Barren Cross, legends in their own right, return to the stage of intensity by inviting the music culture back to Arena Rock once again to prove that rock and roll never dies. They are once again here with a sound that will cause their audience to feel, to be challenged and remind us all of the full scale that rock and roll demands.
Barren Cross now invites you back to arena rock, in full passionate stereo with a new talented singer and a refreshed sound. You can't keep a good band down, or from releasing new music.
Here I Am
Barren Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been living my life by my own rules, l walked away from Your holy Son
Oh God now l finally realize that there is only one thing l can do
I repent from my sin, set me free once again, Lord myself l present unto you
(Chorus)
Here l am, take all of me,
Send Your almighty power to come over me
You have given me everything I’ll ever need
Forgive me
You hold the answers Lord, the key to this human race
To know that I’m safe and secure in You’re arms here on earth
There is no better place
Oh God give me faith to live by your Word glorify You in all that l do
It is this that l pray, in Your arms I will stay
My God l cry out to you
(Chorus)
(Bridge, solo)
(Chorus)
The lyrics of Barren Cross's song "Here I Am" depict a powerful, heartfelt expression of repentance and surrender to God. The singer acknowledges their past mistakes and sins, recognizing that they have been living by their own rules and walking away from God's holy Son. However, in a moment of clarity, the singer realizes that they must repent from their sins and present themselves fully to God once again. The two choruses of the song emphasize the singer's complete surrender to God, asking Him to send His almighty power to come over them and acknowledging that God has given them everything they will ever need. The bridge and solo sections emphasize the singer's faith and their desire to glorify God in all that they do.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a fool Lord, can you forgive me for what l have done
I acknowledge that I have made mistakes and ask for your forgiveness.
I've been living my life by my own rules, l walked away from Your holy Son
I admit that I have been living without regard for your teachings and I have turned away from Jesus.
Oh God now l finally realize that there is only one thing l can do
I have come to the conclusion that there is only one way to make things right.
I repent from my sin, set me free once again, Lord myself l present unto you
I am sorry for my wrongdoing and I ask to be forgiven and set free. I offer myself back to you.
Here l am, take all of me,
I am offering myself completely to you.
Send Your almighty power to come over me
I ask to be filled with your strength and presence.
You have given me everything I’ll ever need
I recognize that you are all I need in order to be fulfilled.
Forgive me
I ask for your forgiveness again.
You hold the answers Lord, the key to this human race
I believe that you have the solutions to all our problems and are the key to our existence.
To know that I’m safe and secure in You’re arms here on earth
I find comfort in knowing that I am loved and protected by you while living on this earth.
There is no better place
I believe that being with you is the best place I can be.
Oh God give me faith to live by your Word glorify You in all that l do
I ask for the strength to live according to your teachings and to bring glory to you through my actions.
It is this that l pray, in Your arms I will stay
I pray to remain in your embrace.
My God l cry out to you
I call out to you, my God.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
God's Warrior
I've been a fool Lord, can you forgive me for what l have done
I've been living my life by my own rules, l walked away from Your holy Son
Oh God now l finally realize that there is only one thing l can do
I repent from my sin, set me free once again, Lord myself l present unto you
Here l am, take all of me,
Send Your almighty power to come over me
Here l am. Take all of me,
You have given me everything I'll ever need
Forgive me
You hold the answers Lord, the key to this human race
To know that I'm safe and secure in You're arms here on earth
There is no better place
Oh God give me faith to live by your Word glorify You in all that l do
It is this that l pray, in Your arms I will stay
My God l cry out to you
"Here I am Lord!"
#GODSWARRIORPRINCESS
4themusicman
As a massive BC fan, I was hyped like crazy when Rattle Your Cage was released. I thought the album was borderline drivel. However, THIS song alone made the disc worth every penny. One of the best worship songs ever recorded.
Gordon Helele
I grow up with heavy metal christian songs.you all are my favorite Rock gospel bands so keep on rocking boys
Steve Whitaker
i Love how you did this video. Great interpretation of my song. Thanks!
Danyael L. Johnson (USN Retired)
Steve, thank you for your kind words. I've been a Barren Cross fan from the beginning. Any time I make one of these Music Video Tributes I always want it to have the best quality I can do. Sometimes it is a hit or miss. "Here I Am" turned out good. It really means a lot when the Artist approves of it. It takes time and patients when making them. God bless you bro...
Bob Greer
It brought me back home in tears....thank you!!
petetodd Todd
Steve Whitaker , Thanks for this! I Rilly Enjoy this Jesus Music, it's So Joyful and Positive, Definitely Gives me a Jesus Buzz!!!!!!
Manoj Kumar
Hello Steve, I am an 80's kid and I in recent time have come across of Barren Cross. I want to thank you and everyone in the band for the way your albums have been a blessing to me.
GodRulZtheworld
Hail Yeshua!!!
Scott Hart
Thank you Lord Jesus... I love you...
Maximilian Scott
I don’t