“Roxx Records is excited to announce the release of another stellar band from the 1980s-1990s: the progressive rock band Damascus! Coming together in February 1982, Damascus set out to create music where art met faith. Booking themselves into larger halls, churches and school gymnasiums throughout the US Midwest, there was a demand at concerts for a recording of their music. So in 1983 they released a self-titled four song cassette EP independently. They also began publishing their own newsletter called ‘The Damascus Chronicle’. In 1984, they released their first full-length cassette, Will I Find You There?, which became widely available in record stores and at concerts. The project included two songs originally on their debut cassette (“Truth” and “His Love Today”) and quickly surpassed sales of their debut EP. Doug Van Pelt of Heaven’s Metal Magazine wrote: “I must say I am very impressed. They are polished in technique and have an artistic flair for emotional creativity. The music is full and rich.” Dan Kennedy from The Cutting Edge said: “The difference here is that the instrumentation goes beyond the basics… very fine challenging music. ‘The Lost Prayer’ is one of the most stirring songs I have heard this year.” With national attention and a boost in sales and publicity, the band remixed the master tapes and put it out for sale again in 1986. By 1987, they recorded their third cassette album, Timeless, which received rave reviews from nearly every Christian publication, which led to radio interviews and an appearance at Cornerstone Festival. Doug Van Pelt of Heaven’s Metal Magazine wrote about Timeless: “They have improved with age… in every category. The music hides some real gems… soaring music.” They continued to tour in support of the Timeless recording for the next year and a half. Damascus began work on their fourth recording, Soon… The Doors Will Open, which was released in September 1990. The album was hailed by many reviewers as their best work. White Metal Review wrote: “I was blown out of my chair… incredible musicians… I am convinced that these guys could rock anyone’s socks off as they did mine! Soon… The Doors Will Open is an incredible masterpiece… Damascus is one group that knows what it is doing.” Mark Hodges in The Obligator wrote: “I’m amazed a major Christian label hasn’t picked up these guys. Their sound… is peppy and exciting with tons of excellent keyboard action… the words are like poetry set in motion… some of the best modern rock on the globe.” And Bob Felberg writing in White Throne Magazine said: “The lyrics… are part of the drawing power of this band. There are several real strong points with Damascus, one is Tom McKeown’s vocals… very engaging… with conviction and power.” And Risen Rock wrote: “…very intellectual… Lots of melodic changes and excellent instrumentals. A very good tape, excellent production…You’ll want this one.” It seemed the band was on the precipice of success, but Christian labels who took an interest in them wanted them to change their sound to match other popular artists, a compromise they would not do, and mainstream labels found them too “Christian” for their tastes. Thus, a band who wrote and recorded such complex and thought-provoking progressive art rock started to face some challenges. Founding member guitarist/vocalist Marc Reich left the band. The remaining three members decided to continue on touring as a trio and then they started recording some demos for a fifth album. Three songs slated for that fifth album were put out on cassette entitled Demo 91. Others songs were recorded in demo form or in rough recordings, but when drummer Dave Coy decided to leave the band in 1993 Damascus came to an end. Founding member Tom McKeown, who is still active in music as a producer and with his Americana/folk/rock band Shadowfields, as well as his prog/rock side project Undoubting Thomas, has taken all those fifth album demos and rough recordings and brought them to a state of restoration for this special anthology release. The unreleased fifth Damascus album, The Turning Tide, now can be heard for the first time in this special Roxx Records release. Don’t miss your chance to experience some of the most captivating, creative and inspiring progressive rock ever released in Christian music. As Judd Harper of Rizzen Rocks wrote: “Their music is not just catchy tunes but works of art… a classy sound… they have something a lot different… that will just blow you away.”” -Roxx Records

TRACK LISTING:
DISC 1:
The Damascus EP (1983)
Slipping Away
Nothing Left To Fear

Will I Find You There? (1984)
Will I Find You There?
Truth
A Father’s Only Son
His Love Today
Circle Of God’s Love
The Lost Prayer

Timeless (1987)
Time For A Season
What Four?
A Knight To Remember
Timeless
Lord Of The Mountain
The Keeper

DISC 2:
Soon… The Doors Will Open (1990)
Decisions
Psalm AD
An Angel
Reckless
Lead Me On
Blind Peace
Something To Live For
Still Waters
Waves

The Turning Tide (2024)
On A Wire
The Turning Tide
So The Story Goes
Screwtape
Ice Of My Desire
A Passing Of Moments
Time Is A Tool
Unfinished Business
A Passing Of Moments (Revisited)