Articles

The Stand was a 90s power pop band that played on the CCM radio scene when Petra, Wayne Watson, Hoi Polloi, Out of the Grey, Point of Grace, The Winans, Whitecoss were all on the same playlist. It was a way cool time in the scene as you could the radio friendly songs from hard rockers right along next to CCM mainstays. I found out when I got older the formats varied across the USA & I was pretty blessed to have a modern CCM station near me.… Continued →

Steadfast is an obscure pop punk band from Canada it appears. One fan remarked on my Youtube page that they changed their name to Out of the Monetary after this release at some point   … Continued →

This German symphonic unblack metal band has been musically compared to Emperor & Dimmu Borgir whom I personally have never listened to. From what I gather they used the Endtime record label which has worked with Drottnar, Bloodwork, Crimson Moonlight & Dalit. I happen to really dig symphonic unblack metal more than other heavy genres such as thrash, deathcore or death metal so this track resonates with me. Anyways, enjoy & hope your Saturday is going awesome!      … Continued →

I’m not surprised there was Christian punk and new wave already being made in the 1970s. Contrary to popular belief, believers have always found new and innovative ways to express their faith creatively. It’s the broader public of the faith community that is often slow to accept change, not the artists themselves. This is why I am, in fact, surprised that a Christian record label was publishing Christian punk in the 1970s. It seemed the church in the UK was more open to avant garde presentations of the Gospel than in the US.… Continued →

This cd that this song came from was nearly impossible to find. I finally was able to upload it so it wasn’t lost forever. If I find any songs elsewhere on YouTube then it probably wouldn’t be relevant to my channel as it’s dedicated to obscurity in the vast “Christian” realm of music. The man in the picture is my grandpa on my channel who passed away in his 90s & is an homage to him as I was able to obtain the last picture of him.… Continued →

Jeff Hansen is the man behind one man “unblack” metal band Geistkrieg. It’s German name translates to something like spiritual war. He also worked on P!g3on. Anyways, this song sounds so cool & you can read the lyrics on his Bandcamp page here. https://jeffhansen.bandcamp.com/track/peculiar-compulsion  … Continued →

Naos Project aka Naos was a nu-metal band in the mid 2000s. They are pretty obscure & I have very few songs from them. This song came from a CDR album & was also listed on the old mp3.com site. They have another song called You that’s really good also. From what I have gathered over the years is that they changed their name to The Heroine & dropped the nu-metal vibe. for a more southern rock tone. I did come across a San Antonio Herald article on a very brief history of the band, but not including due to the language included.… Continued →

This 5-piece band from Norwalk, CA started as a metalcore band but morphed into something heavier and more technical with an interesting mix of death metal, grindcore, and the odd jazz passage. The band only released two demos. The first was a 5-song tape called “Soldiers of the Cross.” In 2006 they released their more known, somewhat ironically titled “Death Gospel” (Gospel set to death metal, get it?) cassette, featuring 4 songs. Then the band was never to be heard of again. However, just this year an independent secular metal label from Riverside has re-released the demo as a cassette-only release, with three bonus tracks.… Continued →

I don’t write much on Hip Hop on here, but this song is very catchy. Elzakiah is based out of Fort Wayne, IN & appears he only released 4 songs. … Continued →

Saw this band at Kingdom Come Fest a few months ago now. They are a hard rock/post hxc band, but this song is particularly heavy. By the time y’all read this, this SOTD would have hit radio. Turn it up! It gets heavier about 3/4 thru, just letting y’all know! … Continued →

Pillar is a band I really got into while I was stationed in the military. My friend & I weren’t to so many shows I lost count. I remember seeing Pillar w/ EastWest & The Benjamin Gate in Greenville, SC. I didn’t get into their stuff much after Where Do We Go From Here save a few songs. Fireproof is just a staple int heir career, but Simply has lyrics that I have not forgotten over the years. I’ve made it so hard on myself, turning my back on how you felt Seeing a lie that led me on, leaving a love that did no wrong That’s what it took for me to say That you simply love Despite all the stupid things I’ve done It’s hard to remember That you simply love Even though I know not what I’ve done It’s hard to remember That you simply love I’ve tried to do all this on my own Not thinking once of what you’ve shown All that I’ve done has blinded me To everything that you have for me I want you to know that I finally see I don’t know why I can’t understand I don’t know why I can’t comprehend … Continued →

This is an indie pop band from Ohio that changed their name to Euovia after a band member left. This song has always got me as is darn catchy. I think to sum them up is their Bandcamp page saying. We create music for you.  You are not alone in this messed up world. And I say Amen to that! … Continued →

Some of you are going to hate me for including this (what?!? country music on IVM?!?) Others of you–maybe only a few–will recognize the importance this type of music played on the development of both rock and roll (which somewhat ironically owes a huge debt to country music), as well as to contemporary forms of Christian music, because of the strong relationship between country music and Gospel music in the middle part of the last century. Brothers Ira and Charlie Louvin began playing and singing together in the 1940s in their home in Alabama, and later branching out to nearby Tennessee.… Continued →

I’ll probably catch some flack for this one, but hey, this song is a rocker. Kim Boyce was known in the CCM industry & was all over AC radio. But, when you’re a kid & your parents make you listen to only AC Christian music, you would get excited for a rock song on the radio!  Songs like this help me remember my childlike faith. This was 1992. Anyways, hope y’all like it & check out these lyrics. Reminds me of being on fire for Jesus which I have lost a lot of it tbh over the years and day to day life is an ever consistent reminder of the love of Jesus.… Continued →

Aviadora is a Christian metalcore band that incorporated electronica elements. I know it was only a fad for a short period of time, but I dug it. It broke up the monotony of other metalcore music. I believe they disbanded, but there is still stuff on them on the world wide web. Check em out. … Continued →

Jesus Freaks was a thrash groove metal band that changed their name to Sub-Train after releasing 2 albums. They had some decent Christian metal airplay back in the day. Yeah they sounded like Metallica ripoff, but I’m not too worried about it. They still have headbanging music! And yes, I thought about this band when DC Talk came out with their Jesus Freak stuff.  And as a sidenote, Scott Waters’ No Life Til Metal site has a great review on them as he toured with them while with Ultimatum.… Continued →

I can only think of 1 or 2 songs where the structure of the song is built primarily around one chord. It’s a pretty risky thing to try. Luxury did it with “South” from their debut album. While there are probably others, the only other one I’m aware of is Honey’s “The Way You Move Me” from their sophomore album, Lost on You. A one-chord song seems like it would be incredibly boring, but with the various embellishments, runs that weave in and out, and ways they alter the chord (okay, technically it’s not only one chord–but it’s built around only one) keep things very interesting and almost psychedelic.… Continued →

Shock rockers R&D have released their new album which is the first of the Sanatorium collection & is currently on all digital networks as of tomorrow. I have been friends with Kandy for many years & have enjoyed all the music I have been sent that they have been working on. If you are a long time fan, you will recognize the reworks such as Milk & Cookies & Stix & Stonz. There is also a new one Suicide Machine which I had the opportunity to hear a demo probably a year or so ago now.… Continued →

This is an arena rock band who eventually turned grunge before disbanding. Have always dug this song & the bass line helped a lot! Nostalgia… … Continued →

While I’d been hearing their name pop up here and there on the internet, I was fully introduced to Voluntary Mortification’s music when I caught them opening for As Lions and Lambs here in Indianapolis. Shortly after that press manager, Mason Beard got in touch to request an interview. I got the lowdown on all things Voluntary Mortification, including the origins of that interesting band name, when I caught up with guitarist Jacob Kanclerz, and vocalist Conner Luttig. IVM: Tell me a little about the band name.… Continued →

Picking a SOTD from this band is a difficult task for me. I have thought of them for years as one of my fave heavy bands of all time. I got the chance to see them live probably 20 years ago now. Here is also a live video of the same song when they reunited in 2017 it looks like. Check out their whole discography. … Continued →

This is a hxc punk band I just saw live back in July. Their name is just the Doulos if you want to pronounce it correctly. Trust me, I know! They put on an awesome show & are really nice in person. Check ’em out! … Continued →

Jacob James Wilton is one of the more unique entries into modern Christian music, taking an alt-country and self-described “prairie pop” approach toward songwriting. There’s a certain sobriety to these songs, and there’s even some nostalgia in the form of alt-roc influence. His full album is still forthcoming, but you can check out his first three singles below. Personally, I find this to be one of the more adventurous angles of indie and I hope you enjoy what you hear. … Continued →

There was a lot of hype surrounding this band when they were first signed by Facedown Records, in large part based on the fact they had three vocalists. While the hype, and sadly also the band, were short-lived (they only released one full-length and one 3-way split album), they definitely generated a healthy buzz in their short existence. And for good reason too. Soli Deo Gloria (roughly translated as “to the glory of God alone”) dropped in 2001, and stylistically the album shows its age. Torn in Two were building off of the heavy, metallic, chugga-chugga or “new school” style hardcore of the 1990s, and adding more metallic leads and riffs without ever fully crossing over into metalcore.… Continued →

So what is the actual name of this band? The Supertones, Supertones, OC Supertones! Anyways, they got the whole Christian industry into 3rd wave ska music. The other 2 Five Iron Frenzy & The Insyderz caught on right afterwards if I remember correctly. My acquaintance from high school was actually trying to bring them to Bloomington/Normal Illinois, but from what I gather they got stuck in a snow storm. Pretty sure this was circa 1995. Anyways, the bass lead is fun to play & not that difficult if you want to learn it.… Continued →

So I saw this band when they first changed their name to FZ from Mortal. I talked to I think Jerome before the show with Bloomsday & asked for what I think was Kingflux & they ended up playing it for me. Yah! Anyways fast forward all these years later & Jerome has been working with Switchfoot & then AI find out they might come out with more music? Sounds good to me. Oh yeah, & remember YHWH is still in control of king planet! https://www.morzanmuzik.com/… Continued →

The passing of Michael Bloodgood still hits hard with all of us who remember his music and have followed his health on social media. This SOTD was actually my 2nd intro to them. My first being Battle of the Flesh off one of the Intense Records comps I found at a Hobby Lobby almost 30 years ago! I fell in love with this ballad & I still about the lyrics to this day how much Jesus still loves us. I felt my heart was leading I set my course on you In your eyes I’m reading Tell me what you want to do I want to live in your heart I want to be in your thoughts Where you go, walk with me And when you talk, talk about me The whole world sits and wonders How a man loves his woman When passion’s filled with thunder From the trance they’re under When you’re alone in the middle of the night Let my love be your light When you awake from your sleep Know in your heart my love’s deep My love’s deep … Continued →

Dennis Childers has deep connections to the Christian indie scene, going all the way back to the 1980s and Flock 14, the most excellent new wave band he played in at the time. However, when Flock 14 morphed into World Theatre, Dennis went underground/disappeared and not much was heard from him musically save for a few album credits here and there. Nate from Destroy Nate Allen/Good Saint Nathanael got in touch this week to let me know that Dennis had a new album dropping–literally just 2 days ago.… Continued →

This worship artist is one I interviewed back in college. He gave me this cd & I was hooked-every single song resonated with me & not many worship artists have, Anyways Check the whole album & these mission lyrics from Phil 1:20, Psalm 145:13, 46:10 which should be our anthem.  Jesus-nuff said For Erick there was one thing, one thing and nothing more That moved his growing family to the slums of Bangalore For Becca there was one thing, one thing that kept her home She gave up her career to take an orphan in her arms What would make a man so bold Make a woman lay her own life down Only one thing Jesus Christ, Magnified All over the world Lifted High, glorified All over the world Only One thing Is Worth everything Jesus Christ, Magnified All over the world For David there was one thing he gave his life to preach His church in China meets in secret growing every week For Ruby there was one thing that kept her in the choir It hurt to stand at 90 but she worshipped with a smile What would make a man so bold Make a woman lay her own life down only one thing For us now there is one thing A choice that we all have Living for our kingdoms or the only one that lasts..… Continued →

South African Tree 63 delivered a lot of music mostly through the AC format, but they also had some rockier tunes. They started in 1996 under “Tree” but the name was taken already by others. They added 63 based on Psalms 63, a reference to their second LP. Anyways hope you like this one as much as I have over the years. Also, vocalist John Ellis eventually struck on his own. Check him out as his solo stuff is decent also.    … Continued →