Guardian (or rather Gardian as they first spelled it, or even Fusion as they named themselves to begin with) started out in the 1980s as a traditional heavy metal band and had morphed into a hybrid hard rock/alternative/groovy blues project by the time they finished in the early 2000s, changing their sound dramatically throughout their existence, though always in hard rock territory. However, along the way, they recorded quite possibly the best (or at least one of the best) glam metal releases ever put out by a Christian band (yeah, I said what I said–of course they’d have to contend with Stryper, Zion, Holy Soldier, Angelica and Whitecross for the top spot).
Original vocalist Paul Cawley had a strangely soft voice for heavy metal, which gave Guardian a unique approach for their stellar debut First Watch, which I would argue is a highly underrated Christian metal classic. For reasons unknown to me, Cawley exited the band after their debut and in stepped Jamie (or J.R.) Rowe, former vocalist for another melodic metal band, Tempest (who had released two albums for Pure Metal). Rowe’s grittier, bluesier vocal style suited the more commercial direction the band took for their sophomore effort, Fire & Love, a powerhouse hard rock record, and as stated above one of the best in the genre.
It wasn’t just Rowe’s vocals that shifted the band’s sound. The music and songwriting structures were entirely different on the second album. More hooks, more commercial melodies, and perhaps the biggest change of all–the commercial production techniques of none other than John and Dino Elefante. While fans of heavier forms of metal may not enjoy their big production style, we cannot understate the influence the brothers have had on bands in the more commercial forms of hard rock and metal, working with everyone from Petra, to Barren Cross, X-Sinner, Leviticus, their own project Mastedon, and so much more.
And for my money, the work they did on Fire & Love is exquisite. As much of a fan as I am of First Watch, Guardian achieved new heights with the Elefantes they wouldn’t have garnered otherwise. We finally had a band who could compete with Def Leppard, Dokken, Dangerous Toys and the like in the realm of bluesy glam metal.
Some fans will argue for later releases as their favorite, like Miracle Mile or Buzz. Personally I could get into them as much when they moved further into other forms of rock (ironic for me as I’m a huge fan of 90s alternative), and away from their metal roots. Fire & Love is the pinnacle of Guardian, and quite possibly the pinnacle of Christian glam metal. Decide for yourself.
