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.
Somewhere Far Away
Barren Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the night l can find my heart a resting place
From the world that can steal my dreams away
So I’m on my way to You
Take me to a higher ground fly me across your highway
Lord l want to feel the sound fly me somewhere far away
On the road going nowhere l felt the pain
Realized that l needed a place inside for you
I'm on my way to you
Take me to a higher ground fly me across your highway
Lord l want to feel the sound fly me somewhere far away
Shake the stars all around fly me somewhere far away
Lord l want to feel the sound
Fly me somewhere far away
Late in my room - so real it changed my life
I can feel You keeping my dreams alive
Give me wisdom. Bright as the sun and moon
Leave the light on; I’ll see ya soon
In the lyrics of the song "Somewhere Far Away", Barren Cross express their love for God as their hideaway from the world that can steal their dreams away. The first verse speaks about how the singer's heart finds a resting place in the Lord during the dark nights when the world tries to snatch away their dreams. The second verse is about how the singer had to face the pain of a road leading nowhere and realized the need for God to have a place inside them. The bridge points out the transformation that God has brought in their life, keeping their dreams alive, and granting them wisdom needed to navigate through life.
The chorus expresses the yearning to reach God and be taken to higher ground, where they can feel His presence and hear His sound. They want to be flown away to a place far away where the stars would shake all around them, and they would be able to feel the music of God. The last verse is a plea for God to keep the light on as the singer is journeying towards Him and promises to see Him soon.
To sum up, the song is about the love for God and the need for Him to be present in our lives to help us navigate through the pain and difficulties of life. The song highlights the comfort and solace that one finds in the Lord, who can transport us to a higher ground where we can feel His warmth and love.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the one that l love, my hideaway
The person speaking is deeply in love with someone who provides them with a sense of refuge and safety.
In the night l can find my heart a resting place
At night, the person speaking finds solace in the arms of the person they love, and it brings them peace.
From the world that can steal my dreams away
The world can be cruel and snatch away one's hopes and aspirations, but the person the singer loves provides an escape from that harsh reality.
So I’m on my way to You
The artist is making a journey towards the person they love, seeking comfort and support there.
Take me to a higher ground fly me across your highway
The artist is asking their loved one to help them reach a higher level of understanding and experience, symbolized by a spiritual journey on a highway.
Lord l want to feel the sound fly me somewhere far away
The singer wants to be transported by their loved one's teachings to a spiritual place that takes them far away from their troubles and worries.
Through the cracks in the mirror l had to gaze
The singer had to confront their own flaws and mistakes by looking at themselves in a metaphorical mirror, which was not always pleasant.
On the road going nowhere l felt the pain
The artist was lost and felt a sense of despair, but they knew they needed to search for something deeper.
Realized that l needed a place inside for you
The artist came to the realization that they needed to make space in their heart and soul for their loved one to truly find happiness.
I'm on my way to you
The artist is actively making an effort to reach their loved one and build a stronger, deeper connection with them.
Shake the stars all around fly me somewhere far away
The singer wants their loved one to take them on a journey that feels vast and expansive, symbolized by shaking the stars in the sky.
Lord l want to feel the sound
The artist is seeking an emotional and spiritual experience that fills them with joy and is deeply meaningful.
Fly me somewhere far away
The singer wants to be transported to a place of spiritual and emotional growth, free from the worries of everyday life.
Late in my room - so real it changed my life
The singer had a moment of realization or clarity in their personal space that brought about a significant change in their life and perspective.
I can feel You keeping my dreams alive
The singer feels comfort in knowing that their loved one supports and encourages their hopes and aspirations, allowing them to flourish.
Give me wisdom. Bright as the sun and moon
The artist is asking their loved one to provide them with wisdom that is all-encompassing and illuminating, symbolized by the sun and moon.
Leave the light on; I’ll see ya soon
The artist is telling their loved one to keep a light on for them, as they will be reuniting with them soon.
Contributed by Cameron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.