Barren Cross

Barren Cross, an American Christian metal band, was formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by high school friends Ray Parris and Steve Whitaker. By 1984, bassist Jim LaVerde and vocalist Michael Drive joined the lineup. Their first EP, Believe, released independently in 1985, gained national attention. In 1986, they released their debut album, Rock for the King, on Star Song Records. The band's subsequent releases included Atomic Arena (1988) under Enigma Records and State of Control (1989). They went on hiatus after releasing Rattle Your Cage in 1994. Barren Cross reunited for shows in recent years, including a performance at Elements of Rock in Switzerland, which was recorded as the live album Birth Pangs in 2013. On November 6, 2025, drummer Steve Whitaker died from amyotrophic lateral scleroris at the age of 62.

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