{"product_id":"trytan-celestial-messenger-3-bonus-gold-disc-edition-with-trading-card-new-cd-2020-retroactive","title":"TRYTAN - CELESTIAL MESSENGER + 3 Bonus: GOLD DISC EDITION with Trading Card (*NEW-CD, 2020, Retroactive)","description":"\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0yxQsH016aQ\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e TRYTAN - CELESTIAL MESSENGER + 3 Bonus: GOLD DISC EDITION with Trading Card (*NEW-CD, 2020, Retroactive)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***We strongly encourage all orders to purchase HASSLE FREE INSURANCE during checkout. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e#25 on Angelic Warlord's Top Christian 50 albums of the 80's\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e85% Review from AngelicWarlord.com\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited Edition Gold Disc Edition CD\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 previous unreleased, thunderous, must-hear demo bonus tracks \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e16 page booklet \/ jewel case with lyrics\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes interview with lead singer, Lary Dean\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2020 remaster by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnhanced artwork by Scott Waters of NoLifeTilMetal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull sized panel with all-new cover by NLTM Scott Waters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGold Disc Edition front cover features the original classic cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j9GxLZtYKko\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT \u003cem\u003eCELESTIAL MESSENGER....\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTrytan represents one of the first Christian bands to explore progressive metal but with a front man in Lary Dean who is a dead ringer for Geddy Lee (Rush). I never get tired of listening to “It’s War” and “Mr. Electric.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e                                                          Angelic Warlord Reviews\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe eight-song R.E.X. version is revered as a masterpiece by Christian metal fans.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e                                     Mark Allan Powell \/ Encyclopedia of CCM\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE ALBUM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLet us take you back in time to the 80's. Open the wardrobe and grab your spandex trousers, look in the mirror and get the spray ready to make that hair big! Trust us - just close your eyes and take a super-charged spaceship back to the glory days of hard rock and heavy metal smack-dab in the middle of 1987! The music on \u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e is exquisite - featuring thundering bass lines, wickedly righteous guitar riffing, and drumming perfection while all being tied together with the silky-sweet Geddy Lee inspired vocals of Lary Dean.  One listen to the remastered magic of this classic album and we were instantly hooked just like 30+ years ago when we bought the cassette at our local Christian bookstore!  The Rush-inspired synthesizers cannot be overlooked as they continue to be a critical part of Trytan's progressive rock masterpiece that has aged like a fine wine over time.  As an added treat, Retroactive Records worked with the band to come up with three must-hear bonus tracks from Trytan demos and wow - wow - and more wow are they progressive rock round-house kicks - one after the other.  While they are demo tape tracks, the music is top-shelf elite and the kind of songs you want to listen to repeatedly.  Tryan proves this band knows how to balance melody, musicianship, jams, complexity and hooks with progressive rock finesse.  The 2021 Gold Disc Remaster is the quintessential CD reissue of this revered classic.  This CD reissues comes with the strongest recommendation possible.  It is elite in every way and comes with a Trytan foil-stamped trading card.  For fans of Kansas, Rush, Balance of Power, Threshold, Jacobs Dream, Veni Domine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1 Gettin' Ready 3:44\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2 Don't Turn Away 4:08\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e3 Mr. Electric 5:14\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4 It's War 5:19\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e5 Rip Van Winkle 4:22\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e6 Chains 4:47\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e7 Nowhere To Run 4:57\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e8 Genesis 7:07\u003cbr\u003e9. In the Distance (demo)\u003cstrong\u003e (bonus track)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10. The Goat (demo) \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(bonus track)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11.  Waiting Forever (demo) \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e(bonus track)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tPw_DC2AK6U\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eANGELIC WARLORD REVIEW\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTrytan’s 1987 R.E.X. Records debut full length\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewon over plenty of fans with its critically acclaimed ‘Rush influenced progressive metal’ sound.  No doubt, Trytan imbues its songwriting with some intricate and at times lengthy nuances and features a front man in Lary Dean with a vocal range a near dead ringer for Geddy Lee.  In taking a closer look, however, I identify with Trytan less as ‘artsy Rush style progressive rock’ and more as eighties metal reflective of trends at the time but with a progressive edge.  One reviewer that accordingly describes Trytan as a heavier version to mid-eighties Rush (think\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrace Under Pressure\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u0026amp;\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ePower Windows\u003c\/em\u003e) has the right idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eWith its name an acronym for To Reach Youth Through the Almighty Nazarene, Trytan came together in the early eighties prior to placing the track “Rip Van Winkle” on the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eChicago Metal Works\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecompilation and recording a nine song demo.  A deal with R.E.X. subsequently followed, which led to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand 1990 sophomore effort\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSylentiger\u003c\/em\u003e, both of which went out of print and turned into hard to find collectors items.  Enter Retroactive Records, whom re-issued\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSylentiger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein February of 2020 and\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein April the following year on Limited Edition Gold Disc CD.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eIn addition to re-mastering courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound (improving upon what was already very fine\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eproduction), Retroactive re-release comes with an alternate version to cover art and a 16-page mini booklet home to vintage band photos, interview with Lary Dean, lyrics and detailed song descriptions (crediting Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal graphics).  Three previously unreleased demo tracks and a cool Trytan trading card round things out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e“Getting’ Ready” is a good indicator of the progressive influenced Trytan sound.  Yes, the song manifests heaviness to put it within the metal category (production reinforces a strong guitar focal point) but also the type of intricate underpinnings leaning towards the progressive (Steve Robinson delivers a creative bass flair).  One also cannot help notice the vocal comparison of Dean to Geddy Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e“Don’t Turn Away” backs from the heavier progressive nuances of its predecessor in favor of an eighties based melodic hard rock approach.  It is still good, with front to back upbeat propensity and type of alluring hooks to reach for the commercial, albeit not to a fault.  The creative drum presence of Scotty Blackman equally stands out.  Song talks about finding God’s love:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eI don’t know what you’re going through\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAre you wondering what to do?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eI’m not the one who will see you through\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBut let me point Him out to you\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomeone really cares for you\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe One that I know is true\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd when you find His love\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou’ll never be the same\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eEnsuing is one of the finest two song runs in Christian hard music history, only rivaled by “If You Will” and “The Call” off the 1989 Deliverance self-titled debut.  It begins with “Mr. Electric”, a return to a heavier and more technical form to highlight some of the most engaging riffs you will hear (for the minute and half instrumental opening) and refrain for all the ages (with its bombastic form):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eElectric man reaching for the stars\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSlightly eccentric, you know who you are\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMr. Electric, we love the way, you play air guitar\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eLengthy instrumental run gives prominence to Dean’s ample guitar abilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eIt also includes subsequent cut “It’s War” with its brilliant semi-ballad flair.  Song begins to an opening keyboard run underscoring vocals for the initial verse sections, with force escalating as rhythm guitar cuts in to make an accelerated statement and leads the grandiose way to the every bit manifest Christian battle cry refrain:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou know Who it is we are fighting for\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOh, please see it’s war\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBefore He closes the door\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eAnother extended instrumental run highlights the above the line Trytan musicianship.  “It’s War” delivers spiritual warfare themes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere’s a battle raging\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn outside these doors\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe enemy is making his moves like never before\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThere’s people dying, get ready\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBecause you know it’s war\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe King has called His soldiers of light\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo take the cross out into the night\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe battle is raging in the hearts of men\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eThose Rush influences best reveal on “Rip Van Winkle”, a keyboard based and complex drum roll specific progressive rocker with a pensive demeanor.  Said keyboards uphold the first minute and half until initiative picks up as elevated guitars take the song in a more assured direction, with similar slower to faster transitions made the remaining distance only interrupted by a spicy lead guitar run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e“Chains” is lone\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003etrack in which I pass.  It has nothing to do with guest vocalist Scotty Blackman, whom does a fine job with his classic tenor voice.  Rather, it points toward manner in which song traverses keyboard heavy AOR to melodic rock territory, which I find not the best fit for Trytan.  Group commands a bit more muscle… \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e.. which is delivered on following cut “Nowhere To Run”.  Begins with how it manifests a heavier direction, almost touching upon power metal, and places a strong emphasis on instrumental execution, noting the lengthy instrumental opening and Dean’s hammer on driven soloing.  It also encompasses an accenting keyboard role without coming across overriding.  I interpret lyrics as finding the right path:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eI was walking down streets I’ve seen before\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo mercy’s to be found\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eI thought I knocked on every door\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSearching the night\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd it’s nowhere in sight and I feel like I’ve got\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eA new life begins today\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSurrender to His call to your heart and say\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNowhere to go, nowhere to run\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eNowhere to stay, the struggles begun\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecloses to seven-minute epic magnum opus “Genesis”.  Song initiates to keyboards and narration from Genesis 1:1-3 prior to breaking out after a minute to a crescendo of emotion as a composite direction reveals moving forward.  As a catchy keyboard line carries over a foundation of restive guitars, intricate instrumental territory is periodically traversed to see a spacey keyboard cameo appearance (at the mid-way point) alongside brazen guitar soloing (at the end).  A deep melody rises to the surface in the process.  Subject matter is self-explanatory:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCreate the world in six days\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBehold the creatures of the earth\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe universe unfolds with His light\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAt the dawning of the age\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the dust man’s to rule\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe earthly hosts are placed\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eCast out of Paradise\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the darkness lurks the snake…\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eDemo tracks, as one might imagine, are a bit rough production wise but are solid musically.  Highlighting the Trytan progressive sound is “In The Distance”, six minutes of mid-tempo keyboard driven time signatures (sort of like “Rip Van Winkle”), and “The Goat”, a non-stop jam session with length instrumental opening (two minutes) and closing (three) runs.  “Waiting Forever” comes across as an eighties style hard rocker with upbeat proclivity and energy to spare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eThe Trytan comparison to Rush might be overstated outside of Geddy Lee influenced vocalist Dean, but one cannot deny the progressive nuances to the groups sound.  No, not Rush style progressive rock but better described as eighties metal with a progressive edge. \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eseparates with some classic material in the process, including epic showstopper “Genesis” and catchy riffs and hooks to “Mr. Electric” and “It’s War”.  The musicianship of Dean, Blackman and Robinson likewise is well up to the standards of the progressive genre.  Credit to Retroactive Records for releasing\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCelestial Messenger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein such a highly upgraded (in terms of re-mastering) and professionally packaged (mini booklet) format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003eReview by Andrew Rockwell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrack Listing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\"Gettin’ Ready\" (3:47), \"Don’t Turn Away\" (4:10), \"Mr. Electric\" (5:15), \"It’s War\" (5:22), \"Rip Van Winkle\" (4:24), \"Chains\" (4:47), \"Nowhere To Run\" (4:58), \"Genesis\" (7:10), “The Distance” (bonus track) (6:13), “The Goat” (bonus track) 7:08), “Waiting Forever” (bonus track) (5:05), \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMusicians\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLarry Dean - Lead Vocals \u0026amp; Guitars\u003cbr\u003eSteve Robinson - Bass \u0026amp; Keyboards\u003cbr\u003eScotty Blackman - Drums\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boone's Overstock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51705120456950,"sku":"lky1789817600796","price":10.86,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0808\/4907\/6470\/files\/trytan---celestial-messenger-3-bonus-gold-disc-edition-with-trading-card-new-cd-_1.jpg?v=1789817605","url":"https:\/\/intentionalcladfit.shop\/products\/trytan-celestial-messenger-3-bonus-gold-disc-edition-with-trading-card-new-cd-2020-retroactive","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}