Pioneering Christian Hard Rock Singer/Guitarist Paul Cawley & Drummer Rikk Hart Return as Guardian1

July 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Irvine, CA, July 26, 2011—The Christian Rock genre just got interesting again with the release of "Empire," an explosive new 3-song EP from two of the original members of the legendary and pioneering Christian rock band, Guardian. Following the success of their First Watch album on Enigma/Capitol Records, singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Cawley and original drummer Rikk Hart return as GUARDIAN1 with a new mission and a new message. Their friendship and passion for making music are immediately evident as the first song on Empire, “Rock Stars,” begins. Its story resonates with a loyal and global fan base that followed them as teenagers in the 1980s and have eagerly awaited this dynamic, grassroots EP.

Empire, released on July 26th from G1 Records, delivers a completely fresh approach to the "First Watch"-era sound and strikes a chord unlike any previous Guardian recording. With the two musicians in top form, the songs take listeners beyond the current world of music with a message of second chances, standing up for your beliefs and God’s power to make a personal difference in each individual life on earth.

Empire is produced by Paul Cawley, Rikk Hart and Michael Jones who have created an energetic blend of the original Guardian sound of the late ’80s and their progressive roots plus an infusion of a more modern rock sound. The result mixes the original hard-rock Guardian sound with a fresh and edgy new take on the melodic rock they have always enjoyed.

Anticipating fans have asked Paul and Rikk why they have chosen now to reunite. “It’s been more than twenty years, and we never had any intention of working together again musically,” Rikk explains, “but we felt strongly that now was the time and that God was calling us to make music again and to convey the message of hope that He has put in our hearts to Guardian fans and to the world. This new EP brings the heart and soul back to Guardian First Watch-era fans,” Rikk says. “Paul and I have always been very good friends, and we always enjoyed working together. Paul and I took a very grassroots approach to this record, and we’re both very happy with the new sound.”

About Guardian1:

Guardian1 is comprised of founder Paul Cawley and original member Rikk Hart, both formerly of Guardian. Guardian is best known as a Christian rock band that came to prominence in the 1980s and on into the ’90s. Prior to the release of their new EP, Paul and Rikk last appeared on Guardian’s critically acclaimed debut album titled First Watch of which Paul was the main songwriter. Produced by Oz Fox of the legendary Christian hard rock band Stryper, the 1989 Guardian debut was released on Enigma/Capitol Records and sold over 30,000 copies in the first month and since then has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide. The group immediately launched an extensive tour of the U.S., Canada and Japan after the album release playing to screaming fans everywhere. Soon after the tour ended in 1990, Paul and Rikk left the band unexpectedly. Perhaps one of the most significant facts about Guardian’s original line-up is that they were at the time, the only other Christian hard rock band in the world to be signed to a secular major record label – the other band being Stryper. At present, Paul and Rikk are excited to work together again and are determined to make the music relevant to a new generation, believing their project is “divinely” appointed and that the future is wide open for a resurgence in the rock music industry, both spiritually and musically.

For more information or band interviews, please email info@Guardian1.net or visit http://www.guardian1.net or http://www.facebook.com/G1empire.

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Guardian1 is comprised of founder Paul Cawley and original member Rikk Hart, both formerly of Guardian. Guardian is best known as a Christian rock band formed in 1982 that came to prominence in the 1980s and on into the ’90s. The band released six studio albums, three additional albums in Spanish, as well as numerous live releases, compilations and special projects. The band recorded their official debut album, “First Watch,” with producer Oz Fox (Stryper) released on Enigma in 1989. The band toured the world extensively from 1989 to 1999, after which Cawley and Hart departed. Paul and Rikk reunited in the fall of 2010 and began the process of working on new material. The result is an edgy mix between their original sound and a fresh, more modern and progressive take on the melodic rock they have always enjoyed. The new EP “Empire” is an energetic blend of the original Guardian sound of the late ’80s and their progressive roots with an infusion of a more modern rock sound.