Articles

Today is my birthday (when this will run) & so I decided to let y’all hear the song that I asked for on the CCM local radio station to play every year for like 3-4 years of when I was a kid (circa the early 80s). Anyways, check out the song that originated a lot of the Christian dance music that became a scene. … Continued →

Welcome to the song that brought me a lifetime love for Christian Reggae. The band has been around since the mid 90s & still releases music almost every year. They have done a few worship albums & even some kid stuff! This is an example of a band that I label in the ministering category of “Christian” music as they are unabashed about the Gospel. From their LastFM site The name is pronounced CHRIST-AH-FAR-EYE, in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, Christafari is the name given to “a group of people who collectively represent Christ.”… Continued →

Back in my military years I ran into a Christian family who was into goth music. The daughter introduced me to this band whom I have followed ever since. Check out all their stuff as you will not be disappointed if you’re into the doomy symphonic sub genres of goth. Also, check out a bad audio, but live version of another of theirs. Sombre Romantic is one of my fave albums of all time.   … Continued →

Geoff Mann was a fairly well-known prog rock artist in the UK, but unfortunately his renown didn’t quite make it across the Atlantic. Having been the vocalist in an early incarnation of famed UK prog rock band Twelfth Night, he effectively left the band when they moved to London and he decided to remain in Manchester. Sometime in the early 80s, Geoff became a Christian through a “deep and lasting Christian conversion” (for more info, check out this article). At this point Geoff begins making very creative, even experimental prog rock.… Continued →

Prodigal Sons were a rave/techno trio that produced some great tunes back int he late 90s/early 2000s era. Greg Hobgood still makes music which you can find on Bandcamp. I always liked this one due to the music & the whole home school in the remix name. I was homeschooled most of my childhood.   … Continued →

This Swedish death metal band formed in 1996, and has been active ever since. They immediately began recording cassette demos, initially focusing on traditional death metal and morphing over time into more a melodic and progressive take on the genre. Of course, Sweden is known for its melodeath sound, centered in Gothenburg, but Pantokrator are from the opposite side of the southern peninsula. Lyrically the band tend to feature songs about biblical mysteries, not your typical Christian metal fare. Rather than topics of salvation and judgment, they tell stories about obscure characters like the Nephilim, the legendary and quasi-biblical Lilith, and Melchisedec, featured here.… Continued →

Texan Bloodlines is a cross between metalcore/deathcore/djent. They have even tapped into the Mainstream with Colder. Anyways, my son & I like this song & it was my ringtone for about 6 months. Also check out the lyrics. I’m giving in, giving in once again Cause I can’t keep up I’m caving in to my sins and I feel like I’ve lost all hope I keep on fighting this war Thatdoesn’t seem to end And now I’m broken inside I think I’ve lost my mind When does it end, when does it end?… Continued →

Let the Day Perish is an awesome up & coming metalcore band from the Chesapeake Virginia area. I moved down here about a month ago now & actually attend the church guitarist Juan attends. Their name comes from KJV Job 3:3 “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said., There is a man child conceived.” The band is comprised of 3 military veterans & resonates with me as I spent almost 8 years in. Check out their Bandcamp where the lyrics for both hard hitting songs are housed.… Continued →

This pop punk band only released 2 full lengths, but obviously caught the punk scene by surprise as they were an all girl band on their first LP. They added a guy for their 2nd. This song reminds me of ska band Bob’s (Bunch of Believers) Mission Trip to Mexico for obvious reasons as tunes referencing mission trips.   … Continued →

The best way I can describe Coolidge is as a sort of ‘prequel supergroup.’ All of the members are now well-known for their contributions to indie rock, though none of them were very well-known at the time, and Coolidge remains a fairly obscure blip on the map of alternative music. Formed in 1992, the band featured Damien Jurado on bass and vocals, David Bazan (Pedro the Lion, Headphones, Lo Tom) on drums, and Eben Haase (Blenderhead, Don’t Know) on guitar. They played an intense and unique form of emo-core that interweaved lo-fi indie rock into the mix.… Continued →

This is a blues rock band from Massachusetts. They remind many of ZZ TOP due to the look & their sound. Anyways check out this SOTD which is vocalist/guitarist fave of their discography.   … Continued →

New Zealand’s Enoch has been on the scene since 2016. They remind of groovy djent metal whose comparison artists could be Azusa or mainstream Arch Enemy. Check em out if you haven’t already.   … Continued →

I have dug this song from when I first heard it when it came out. The 2 piece is a brother & sister duo that primarily did pop rock that explored CCM radio back in the early 2000s. They were in their mid teens when they started. The band resonates with me also as both were homeschooled just like me. Both pursued soloist careers after they released 3 LPs together. Check out these lyrics. & hope y’all have a great safe New Years! It’s a beautiful pain When Your grace shines and touches my face I know Your love I’ve heard it sung a thousand times before But still I cry for more Surrender to my Lord And tonight and the rest of my life I want to live for You Still I cry for You … Continued →

Haven was a heavy metal/power metal band from New Jersey active in the late 80s and early 90s. The band released two stellar full-length albums for R.E.X. and a third independent release that moved away from heavy metal into hard rock and alternative territory. Fans were often divided on Haven, particularly over the vocals. They were kind of a love ’em or hate ’em thing. Personally, I really enjoyed the unique style. There were enough similarities to Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Mike Lee (Barren Cross), or Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) to draw comparisons, and yet there was a roughness to the high-pitched vocals that made them stand out.… Continued →

So this band reminds me of Memphis May Fire. Yeah, I saw them around, but never listened as they never landed on anything Christian related that I saw. Until maybe 10 years ago for both bands. Thrice is very well known obviously so I started to listen to their back discogs. They got some great stuff & this is my face from them, but please check out their other stuff. And yes, their songs are in the mainstream. Also, Check out their vocalists Dustin’s solo stuff   … Continued →

Pop punk Philmore were a band that released some fun songs back in the early 2000s era. Most would remember Our Finest Hour, but my friend loves Fishy. The members currently work in a few different fields. One is a fireman, one realtor & one photographer. Enjoy my fave!     … Continued →

Merry Christmas, Friends! I’m going to type up some thoughts on bands that should most definitely reunite in 2023 to 1) Play an anniversary set, 2) Re-Release a classic album on either vinyl, tape, or cd with bonus features (and band commentary) and 3) Throw some new and/or unreleased tracks at us that we most definitely need to hear. Thoughts and ideas can be found below…. Oh, and Tim Taber if you’re reading this, I hope you’ll consider the words below and incorporate them into future plans with Transparent Productions here in Orange County and Southern California in general.… Continued →

This 4 piece Canadian band released a demo & 1 LP. They sound pretty tight to me & I’ve heard thousands of bands. The Chrisman tape underground has a little info on them if you want to check that site out. Anyways, enjoy from 1993.   … Continued →

Honestly I think this is a song that only Half-Handed Cloud could write. Aside from the ever-present pop bliss is a song about a baby trying to reach shiny Christmas ornaments that are out of reach, and yet so desirable. But Ringhofer makes a point that only he could make, about humanity’s incessant need to grasp for shining things that are always slightly out of reach and that we really don’t need after all. Merry Christmas IVM friends–may you find the true joy of Christmas this year–the baby in the manger!… Continued →

All In released 2 LPs on & then fell away into obscurity from what I gather. Their 2nd cd was very different in that every song is titled after someone in basketball’s Olympic dream team. They are hardcore & appears to have had 5 members. Anyways, love this song.… Continued →

The WWMT has so many good dance songs. They changed their name to The Tribe & influenced so many Christian EDM artists. Beth is actually worship artist Matt Redman’s wife. My fave member of the band is Andy “Heavyfoot” Hawthorne. His voice is very unique. Also check out the other projects LZ7, & thebandwithnoname.   … Continued →

NT was a band from Cali who released 3 LPs of energetic pop punk tunes circa the late 90s. Appears the bass player went on & played w/ Eager Seas & Lakes that I’ve seen around. Their drummer was also in Upperhand. This jam is my fave.   … Continued →

Emotional, ambient, heavy, screamo act out of Detroit, MI. Featuring members of Kept on Hold.

Free show tonight 12/16/2022 in Canton, MI at The Barn! American Arson, Kept on Hold, Camino Kid, Ryley Kilby, and Rosemont!

This brilliant synth-pop band hailed from Sweden. They released one fantastic album in 1989, that hit the States the next year, then disappeared until 1994 when they re-surfaced–though just barely–with a Swedish-language album, that didn’t make much of an impact outside of their homeland. Their debut, the nearly-eponymous W.O.W., was beautiful, but sadly never got the attention it deserved. Recorded primarily in the synth-pop style, it also had hints of Europop and new wave. In short, it was too alternative to be mainstream pop or CCM, and too poppy to appeal to fans of alternative rock.… Continued →

So this has gotta be the heaviest song Andrew & co. has ever released. It is the first single for their last project (no pun intended!) entitled Omni that will be released in early 2023. I’ve seen them almost as many times as Norma Jean live & they are great in ever way with their musical finesse. I helped crowdfund their live album & have a unreleased pressing from it. Their eponymous album was the first cd I purchased when I joined the military at an army PX!… Continued →

This Arkansas band was a fave of mine when their The Scenario We Know So Well EP released. Prior songs from their Moments to Monuments were on my radar but this EP blew me away. They reeased a S/T LP that tbh I didn’t really care for which is I am guessing they went from the emoish modern rock sound to a rock n roll band.  Anyways hope y’all like it & here are some lyrics. I was lost at sea And your gentle touch rescued me You said you would stay but I was walking away I heard your voice say come to me It’s Our Time I feel so free tonight    … Continued →

This blues band has been one of my musical faves for years. I finally got to see them live & took my mom!  Check out their whole discography as they have released a lot over the years. This review will also run on a day when I will be travelling to my new job in another state so seems like a fitting title!   … Continued →

This 3 piece grunge band made one album & fell into obscurity from what I can tell. Their label is none other than Grrr which houses a lot of the Jesus People U.S.A artists. Check em out if you like the garage grunge that seemed to rule the early 90s. … Continued →

Embraced was a short-lived hardcore band from Florida, active in the early 2000s. I was able to catch the band live a couple of times at local gigs and mini-festivals, and enjoyed their shows. I always liked their semi-melodic take on hardcore (I mean, they were from Florida, after all!) They were clearly playing HC, but with hints of emo and indie rock at times. Perhaps in a similar vein to Bloodshed, Beloved, and Underoath, but with their own take on it. The band only released one mini-album, the 7-song An Orchestrated Failure, in 2002 for Theory 8 Records (who also an album by The Goodbye Letter and an early split with Copeland and Pacifico, among others).… Continued →