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.
Just A Touch
Barren Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world goes through a change
Miracles ever day
A man receives
He prays "God, take my life"
Now his eyes can see
Just a touch
Of His hand
And you'll be healed - you will
A hand is healed
A finger grows in place
A little of God's grace
A man walks
Not prisoned by a chair
God can hear our prayers
[Chorus]
A family lives
God can heal the pain
Divorce is just insane
His word is right
It takes away your pain
Call on Jesus' name
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Barren Cross's song Just a Touch speak of the miraculous healing power of God. The song begins by acknowledging the changing world and the daily occurrences of miracles. The first verse recounts a man's prayer for God to take his life, but instead, he receives healing and his eyes are opened to see. The chorus emphasizes the transformative power of God's touch and how it can heal anyone who receives it.
The second verse tells of a hand being healed and a finger growing in place, which highlights the miraculous nature of the healing. The lyrics also mention a man who once relied on a wheelchair but now walks, which emphasizes God's ability to answer prayers and heal those who are physically disabled. The final verse speaks to the healing of families and the pain of divorce, emphasizing that God's word can take away the pain if one calls out to Jesus' name.
Overall, the lyrics to Just a Touch highlight the transformative power of God's touch, and the miraculous healing power that comes from trusting in Him.
Line by Line Meaning
We see the days
We witness the passing of time and the events that unfold.
The world goes through a change
The world is constantly changing and evolving.
Miracles every day
Miracles happen every day, although we might not always notice them.
A man receives
A man is the recipient of something.
He prays 'God, take my life'
He prays for God to take his life, either as a request for mercy or as an expression of despair.
Now his eyes can see
As a result of his prayer, his eyes are opened to the truth or he is granted a spiritual vision.
Just a touch
A single instance of contact.
Of His hand
Referring to the hand of God, representing His love and power.
And you'll be healed - you will
You will experience healing, either physical or spiritual.
A hand is healed
A hand is restored to wholeness.
A finger grows in place
A lost finger is regrown by the healing power of God.
A little of God's grace
God's merciful favor is responsible for the healing miracle.
A man walks
A man is able to walk, having previously been unable to do so.
Not prisoned by a chair
Not confined to a wheelchair.
God can hear our prayers
God is able to hear and respond to our petitions.
A family lives
A family is able to continue living despite setbacks and difficulties.
God can heal the pain
God is able to alleviate the emotional and physical pain of human beings.
Divorce is just insane
Divorce is a senseless and tragic occurrence that can be prevented through faith and perseverance.
His word is right
The words of the Bible are righteous and true.
It takes away your pain
Through belief in God's word, one can find relief from their pain and struggles.
Call on Jesus' name
By invoking the name of Jesus, one can receive healing and salvation.
Just a touch
Again emphasizing the power of a single act of divine intervention.
Of His hand
Still referring to the hand of God as a symbol of His mercy and compassion.
And you'll be healed - you will
Repeating the earlier assertion that God's touch can bring about healing.
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.