Michael II - Never Before Released Album!!!

MICHAEL – II 
Track Listing and Bio

Roxx has done it again! We are super stoked to be bringing you the second album from Michael! Wait are you saying ‘What are you talking about Bill and Scott, there was no second album from Michael after ‘The Battle Rages On?’ Well guess what? There Was!

This album has NEVER and we repeat NEVER been released before in ANY format whatsoever! So you are hearing this song as a WORLD PREMIER as no one has EVER heard this album before! Check out this brand new track from Michael entitled ‘Lost At  The Cross’ 

https://youtu.be/S1-427zg0ig

Now check out the story behind this Long Lost and NEVER before released album in the words of Shane Freeman of Michael! 

“Shortly after the release of ‘The Battle Rages On’ life happened for Michael. Drummer Dennis Raymond left the band to focus on his family and was replaced by former Stutz drummer Vaughn Zajicek. Shortly after, keyboardist Todd Waites was forced to leave as his job moved out of state. Finding a replacement seemed futile so the band decided to move forward as a power trio. The song writing was geared to be more guitar oriented to fill the void where the keys once sat. Michael II was completed and studio time was booked just a week prior to entering the studio to cut the album. Mike Slone left for medical reasons, leaving just myself and Vaughn. We decided to march on and complete the recording, no matter what. Vaughn handled the drums and did everything else. We even hit up former Stutz lead player Jerry Roelke to play a solo. After the album was tracked Vaughn and I decided to go our separate ways. Michael was officially over and this recording would never see the light of day, until now! Thanks to Roxx Records this release finally gets a proper pressing I’ve always believed in Isaiah 60:22 “When the time is right I, The Lord will make it happen.”

-Shane Freeman, March 2020

This brand new release is being released on CD in a very limited physical CD pressing of only 300 copies. This CD has been immaculately put together with Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound completely remastering this never before released album. It also features a killer 12 page booklet in a jewel case with brand new artwork and layout designed by Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics.

Official release date for this package is April 17th and if you preorder now until release date you can get it for the introductory price of $11.99

Michael II Track Listing

1. Fire In Me
2. Lost At The Cross
3. We Don’t Care What They Say
4. Kick Down The Walls
5. You Need Some Faith
6. No
7. We Got A Prayer
8. Will You Love Me?

Bonus Tracks
9. When You Feel The Love
10. Movin’ On
11. Crucified
12. Grace

I like it, seems a little heavier then the first album. Production is fairly muted though.

The production was muted on their first one as well, but both of these albums were self produced and not label backed resulting in poorer overall quality.  Most old demo album from back then seem to have either muted tones or are tinny sounding to me.  Mastering these will help, but you can only do so much without actually having the master recordings, remixing for a more modern sound, and mastering that.

I believe I will enjoy this album, and it is nice to see a CD released that I have never had or had the chance to own before.  For people who missed out on some of the Christian metal releases of old, I am glad for the remaster/reissues.  However, it gets old just having the same stuff marketed over and over.  I know that the Christian metal scene, if there even still is one, is nearly gone and there just isn't as much new stuff coming out.  So, when one of these unearthed diamonds in the rough actually see the light of day, it is quite exciting and refreshing.  It may not truly be new material or new bands, but at least it is something I have never heard before.

Not bad, but I don't think it is something I would listen too a whole lot.

The first one left me a little flat, but honestly I havent spent enough time listening to it...