Whitecross hails from Waukegan, IL where they deliver up Classic 80s style Heavy Metal with technical fast guitar shredding. Whitecross formed back in 1985 and are known for their early work drawing comparisons to the secular 80's band 'Ratt.' Vocalist Scott Wenzel might sound a little like Stephen Pearcy(Ratt) but he definitely is no clone as Ratt's singer has more of a Glamour type delivery common to Glamour bands of the 80's.  
       Whitecross has a number of albums to their credit. In 1987 Whitecross released their debut self-titled album, in 1988-Love on the Line(EP), in 1988-Hammer & Nail, in 1989-Triumphant Return, in 1991-In the Kingdom, in 1992-High Gear, in 2005-Nighteen Eighty Seven, in 1994-Unveiled, in 1995-Equilibrium, and in 1996-Flytrap. 

       Rex Carroll left Whitecross in 1994, shortly before the band began work on the Unveiled album. At that time, he departed to form the band King James with Jimi Bennett and pursue other musical projects. 

      In 1998, frontman-Scott Wenzel put his band on hold and left the country to do some mission work in Paraguay, South America. Then in 2000, Whitecross was reformed with powerhouse Rex Carroll returning to the band in 2000 alongside Scott Wenzel, Michael Feighan and newbie Benny Ramos on bass and Keys. The newly reunited/reformed band made their presence known at the 2000 'Cornerstone Festival'.

       Whitecross has won their share of awards with the album 'Triumphant Return' winning 3 dove awards back in 1990. Then in 1992, the album 'In the Kingdom' won "Metal Album of the Year"
       As a teenager I remember getting the privilege of going to see Whitecross in concert in Greenville, SC with a few friends and what a performance it was. I remember there being quite a few headbangers there as the band rocked the night away. Also, the band delivered a great message at an intermission during the concert, telling everyone about Jesus out Savior.  

       Rex Carroll handles lead Guitars and is the primary song writer for Whitecross. One of the bands signatures that they mark each album with, is a guitar solo by Rex Carroll. On their self-titled debut album, the solo is "Nagasake", on their album 'Hammer and Nail' the solo is "The Hammer and the Nail", on their album 'Triumphant Return' the solo is "Flashpoint", and on the album 'High Gear' the solo is "Overdrive". On these solos, Rex sounds like he's playing the guitar from on top of a mountain and the riffs are thundering down from every swipe of the pick! Rex always delivers the Metal goods as he plays the electric guitar with mind boggling ability. He plays some blistering fast guitar riffs which sometimes cross over into the Power Metal realm as he did on the song "Attention Please". At times, his guitar riffs take on a Bluesy Metal sound and then there's tunes that he trades his electric guitar for an acoustic one bringing things down a notch. 
       Rex Carroll has worked with other bands as well, he is the leader and lead guitarist for 'Fierce Heart, 'King James, and 'The Rex Carroll Band'. He also did all guitar work on Eden's 1994 album 'Fan the Flame'. The 'King James' project included members of Stryper Robert Sweet and Tim Gaines.
       Some of Rex's accolades start back in 2004 where he placed 3rd in the North American Rock Guitar Competition sponsored by Guitar Player Magazine and WNED/NY. Rex also won the "Heaven's Metal Magazine Guitar Hero award four years in a row.    
       If you love guitar noodling that is reminiscent of the 80's Metal bands, "only better", and you love great Christ centered lyrics, then pick up a copy or two by Whitecross, you won't be disappointed!