The Crucified formed back in 1984 and is an American Crossover Thrash band from the area of Fresno, CA. (Crossover Thrash or simply Crossover-meaning that the band crossed over from Hard core Punk to Thrash). The band's original name was KGB and was made up of four friends from the same church with Vocalist Wayne Stonecipher, Guitarist Greg Minier, Bassist Kirk Palmer, and Drummer Jim Chaffin. In 1985 Vocalist Wayne Stonecipher left the band so Minier asked Vocalist Mark Salomon to try out for the part. After singing a few of the band's songs, Salomon was chosen as the new lead Vocalist.
      That summer, KGB recorded a 10-song Demo, but it never reached circulation. Bassist Kirk Palmer left the band and was replaced by his brother Trevor Palmer. During this time, guitarist Greg Minier decided that the band needed a fresh start and took the opportunity to rename the band The Crucified. 
      In 1986 The Crucified released a demo called 'Take up your Cross' and it was distributed worldwide via mail order. In 1987 the band released the demo EP 'Nailed' as their exposure continued to grow. On these two albums, you can hear the development of the bands musical style. The two demos have a Punk/Rock sound with a few songs having some fast-Speed Metal riffage in them. Some of the guitar work has that 70's feel to it. The production is pretty good for Demo albums. Shortly after the release of 'Nailed', the whole band graduated High School and Bassist Trevor Palmer left the band in order to go to college. Soon thereafter, local- Mark Johnson joined the band replacing Palmer.     

       Greg Sostrum of Narrow Path Records, saw the band playing and offered them a recording contract so the band produced a new full-length album self-titled 'The Crucified.' Then the band began touring throughout California and playing at the Cornerstone festivals near Chicago. The unique vocals of Mark on this album really stand out as he has a Skat-like fast delivery that when combined with the moments that he talks in the songs, it comes across as sounding a bit Jazzy. He also sounds very comfortable behind the mic giving the band a mature sound.

Lyrics are Christ centered as one can see here:

CONFIDENCE
WE'VE GOTTA MOVE ON 
JUST LIVIN' OUR LIVES FOR JESUS CHRIST 
I KNOW. IT'S HARD TO BE STRONG. 
BUT JUST HAVE FAITH. HE'LL KEEP US IN THE FIGHT. 

AND HE 
SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE US 
OR FORSAKE US 
HE TOLD ME SO 
HE'S IN CONTROL, AND SOON HE'LL TAKE US HOME. 

STICK TOGETHER, LOOK AHEAD 
NO MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS 
JUST THINK BACK TO YESTERDAY 
YOU'RE STILL ALIVE IT DIDN'T GET YOU YET 

HE'S IN CONTROL 
DON'T BE AFRAID 
HE SAID HE'D NEVER LEAVE 
OR FORSAKE US 

THAT'S CONFIDENCE MY FRIEND.

(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)

       Shortly after the release of the album "The Crucified," Bassist Mark Johnson left the band and was replaced by Jeff Bellew. Under a new record label called Ocean Entertainment, the band began recording & laying down tracks for a new album titled 'The Pillars of Humanity' at Mama Jo's Recording Studio in Hollywood, CA. Pillars is a hard-to-find collector's album that is considered to be one of the best releases by The Crucified so if you get your little greasy hands on a copy, then hold onto it and consider yourself blessed. The reviews for 'Pillars' were strong, but Ocean was unable to market the album, so sales never took off. In the summers of 91 and 92, the band loaded up and toured the U.S. to promote the album. 
       In 1992 the band began to grow apart and in '93 the group broke up ending their 9-year run as one of the top Crossover Thrash bands within the genre.  Jeff Bellew and Mark Salomon went on to form the successful band Stavesacre. The Crucified did some more shows in 2009 including playing at Conerstone and one show overseas at the Nordic Festival in Norway.

     The Crucified is recommended to all who like their Thrash laced with a slightly Punk attitude along with an uncompromising message. The Crucified make a great addition to any Metal collection so, pick up one or all of the band's albums. They are guaranteed to dust off those old speakers sitting on your shelf!

Musicians:
Mark Salomon - Vocals
Greg Minier - Guitars
Jeff Bellew - Bass
Jim Chaffin - Drums