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This melodic death metal band is another rarity from my archives. Hailing from Duluth Minnesota, their lyrics are definitely Godly. The only other place I have found about them is the Spirit of Metal site. Their cd even references myspace if that tells you anything. Anyways, check ’em out. https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/album/Vox_Dei/114308 … Continued →

This southern tinged metal band from Tennessee (not to be confused with the spirit filled hxc band of the same name from Texas) is one of my faves in the genre. Their LP dominated my cd player back in 2006. Their only LP was released on Strike First Records which was a sublabel of Fasedown’s. Check out our own IVM review of the album also. … Continued →

Endless Sacrifice is a brutal death metal band from Argentina. The project formed in 2009, and has only had one constant member–Diego Barrera on vocals, guitar and songwriting duties. Carlos from Antidemon has provided guest vocals occasionally as well. With only one constant member, the ‘band’ has more or less remained a studio project. Nonetheless, add Endless Sacrifice to the long list of quality, brutally heavy bands from South America. Their debut, Dominio Total was released in 2016 on two different Latin American independent labels: Bolivia’s Vampire Records and Mexico’s Warriors Records before finally seeing a U.S.… Continued →

So today is my birthday and I have been recollecting my life these past 46 years & how it relates to the music I have grown to enjoy. I originated from the quad cities in Illinois. I accepted Jesus into my heart at around 5 years old from a lady who ended up being a missionary to Europe. My earliest music memory was calling in for Farrell & Farrell’s People in a Box to be played on my birthday for a couple years on local CCM radio.… Continued →

This LA hip hop band was awesome back in the day. They were formed by vocalist Ahmad who actually released his first song back in ’93 when he was only 17. They have worked with mainstream artists Black Eyed Peas & KRS-One amongst others. This catchy track features turntables & a very cool synth line. … Continued →

This crossover band’s sound totally reminds me of Wage War. I really like them as their vocalist is actually the creative director at his church. Check out these lyrics from another of their earlier songs. Follow this band as they are doing big things. I’ll shout Your name, for You alone are King. And I’ll sing Your praise, ’cause You reign in me. Though I stumble and stray from the path, You never cease to love me with open hands. Though I may falter, You never alter.… Continued →

I have listened to many instrumentals over the years. There are not too many that land on radio. Prog’s Fourth Estate’s song here did back a long time ago If I can recall through the 7Ball Magazine’s charts. I still think Whitecross’s guitar solos are so talented. But, alas I wanted to share this band as their member Dave Beegle is still going strong all these years later. Check him out on Bandcamp. And Everdown’s track is just plain awesome!   … Continued →

Milk the G6-49 was a two-man noise rock/math rock band from Indianapolis, and spearheaded by Joyful Noise Recordings founder/owner Karl Hofstetter. The band was entirely instrumental, yet reflected biblical themes in its song titles and album titles. Their debut is based around the “writing on the wall” story from Daniel chapter 5. Having said that, it’s not clear the band’s (nor label’s) current take on faith, despite early recordings being inspired by and/or dedicated to it. The band was active in recording from 2001 – 2004 and then went quiet until releasing a 7″ in 2022, so here’s hoping that means the band will kick back up.… Continued →

This “metal/hxc core” band hits hard. I first heard about them through a darn good comp called Battle of the Bands released by Rugged Records back in ’99. Appears they were from Nebraska & disbanded in 2003. They stood out from other bands as the bass guitar stands out & you can understand the vocalist mostly. Check em out.  I have also added live distorted footage from another great song of theirs called All Is Silent. … Continued →

The following ideas are my own opinion and do not represent IVM as a whole. For all the creeds and confessions we have, for all the things Christians past and present have died and are currently dying for, for all the sentiments of things that were simply understood in regards to what it means to be human, the present understanding of what it means to even be a Christian is about as abstract as trying to define which subgenre of punk this or that band is.… Continued →

Female vocalist led Arkport released their only LP back in 2000. Most who have heard of them would know them from the 2nd Ronnie Martin’s (Joy Electric) label Plastiq Music 2nd compilation that featured great synthpop bands such as Norway or Fine China. Arkport isn’t really a synthpop band though. They create dreamy atmospheric pop music. This  SOTD was played on a really great online station ran by Dan Preston called Freerock1 whose site is still accessible. Enjoy & take a breather with this one. http://freerock1.faithweb.com/… Continued →

This British band completely flew under my huge “Christian” music radar. I discovered them through a British website/radio station called CrossRhythms that basically houses tons of Christian artists bios. Anyways, the band reminds me of quirky music akin to Canada’s Hokus Pick or even Believable Picnic or Rhubarb. Great band names I know :). Anyways, the first SOTD was released as a single from their 2nd LP & the 2nd is the first song of their 1st LP. They released a 2nd LP before changing their name to Audiogene.… Continued →

Tonio K. was one of those hard-to-classify artists. He employed elements of rock, alternative, new wave, singer-songwriter, and more. He was too alternative for the mainstream, but not quite weird enough for indie rock. Let’s just call it rock and roll, shall we? Born in Southern California, the son of Armenian immigrants (born Steven Krikorian), K began his career with garage rock band The Raik’s Progress (who opened for Buffalo Springfield), then played a stint with Buddy Holly’s band the Crickets, but he got his first real break with a publishing deal for Intersong.… Continued →

From 2004’s release Broken, this song has always reminded me of the story of Saul with the scales that fell off his eyes. He realized his past mistakes & changed his name to Paul & the rest is history. Check this band out along w/ their song Picture Painted. … Continued →

This band from Florida released a few CDs over the years. A few of their songs were on CCM radio, but this SOTD has always my fave. Our God is incredible no doubt. Sometimes it does not feel like He would love us at our worst, but yet He does. Praise be to him forever & always. This is the type of worship song I wish was on CCM radio currently.   … Continued →

This band was pretty cool back in high school. One of those you like their sound or hate em. Here is a couple of their songs from 2 different albums they released under the Elder name. Instead of giving y’all tons of info on them-check their background here at this sire.  https://downthelinezine.com/cue/four_living_creatures  And, they totally are from this town I moved to recently I just found out!!!  … Continued →

While the alternative rock revolution was exploding all over the 90s, another musical genre was becoming ever more expansive in the same decade–electronica. Faith-based artists were pursuing new subgenres from house to techno/rave to EBM and lots of other styles. One pioneering artist in the house genre was Rhythm Saints, comprised of husband Stephen Nixon and wife Lee-Jane Nixon. Although Stephen was British born, the couple were based in Los Angeles, whence their inspiration for this track emerges. While most of the album channeled house and progressive house sounds, this track (incidentally the only one I could find from their debut via YouTube) dabbles pleasantly in ambient as well.… Continued →

Here is another deep cut from 90s alt shoegaze female led Morella’s Forest. Maybe someone knows if this one became known by another name? The other is my 2nd fave song song from them following their superb cover of ‘Til Tuesday’s Voices Carry. Enjoy!    … Continued →

Starting off the year with another Afewloosescrews deep cut. This one’s production isn’t all that decent, though, so beware. It does, however, show how far one of my original favorite punk bands had come by the time there were signed by Alarma! Records. Anyways, enjoy!   … Continued →

So I have been listening to gospel hip hop for many years. I remember having this rap group Pullin’ No Punches as a kid. It sported the marvelous collab w/ Bride & the reworking of the God Gave Rock & Roll 2U song. DOC was an abbreviation for Disciples of Christ. There were several 90s hip hop artists that abbreviated their names such as ETW’s End Time Warriors, SFC’s Soldiers for Christ, PID’s Preachas in Disguise, CROW’s Constantly Right Overcomes Wrong, etc… Anyway’s fast forward to 2016 & w/a name change released Welcome to Nimisilla Park.… Continued →

This band from Southern California was one of the first wave of bands who set the foundation for what was known as “Spirit-filled hardcore.” A wave which also included Focused, Strongarm, Six Feet Deep and a handful of others, many of which remained unsigned. The scene was characterized by ‘new school’ or ‘chugga chugga’ or metallic hardcore of the early to mid-90s, combined with lyrics that were bold and unapologetic about faith issues. The first time I heard Unashamed was actually a live show as they were the opening band at the first Tooth and Nail Weekend in 1994, a mini-fest at the Where-House in Bartlesville, OK featuring all Tooth and Nail bands (also on the bill were Focused, Chatterbox, Plankeye, Starflyer 59 and Wish for Eden who sadly had to cancel due to a broken down van).… Continued →

In some ways, it hasn’t been the most exciting year for music. Perhaps I’m getting older, busier, or pickier. Either way, I know I statistically listen to a lot less music as a whole than I did even five years ago. That said, there were an incredible handful of releases this year that I wanted to highlight. This list is in no particular order as they all play to different strengths. Maggie Miles – The Lack Thereof I wanted to start with an album that we haven’t covered but that you’ll nonetheless want to check out.… Continued →

The Bell Jar is comprised of 3 friends, 2 of whom were in the original Showbread line up. You can definitely hear Showbread’s influence on TBJ’s sound. Josh Porter aka Josh Dies is a music genius imho. Check out his Church of Agony project as well & his site. This SOTD is a reminder that hurting people hurt people so try & be kind as Jesus would. https://www.joshuasporter.com/ … Continued →

This band is a supergroup with members of P.O.D, Demon Hunter, Disciple, Attack Attack & Inhale/Exhale. I have seen all bands except for Attack & Beartooth is on my bucket list. This song has been on various Christian/Mainstream music charts for the past 6 months or so. This song is so darn catchy dont’cha think so? & Merry Christmas! … Continued →

Let’s mix it up with some Celtic folk punk music akin to The Crossing or a toned down Ballydowse. They are like Jesus People USA to a degree in that they are a Christian community. I ran into another community like their in Charlotte NC when I lived down there several years ago. Anyways, this pretty song is obviously worship & I love what vocalist Scott Krueger’s view that “our Christian walk is supposed to affect every aspect of our lives. So as artists, we want to have that shape our art.”… Continued →

My favorite Christmas songs tend to be the traditional carols. Sure, I love a good cheesy secular holiday tune every now and then (“Let it Snow” anyone?), but I find the deep theology of the carols to be particularly meaningful, and therefore apropos for the season. Having said that, there are also some wonderful contemporary renderings of the traditional tunes. Viva Voce was an indie rock band, centered on wife-husband duo Anita and Kevin Robinson. Originally from Alabama, they transplanted to Portland, OR somewhere along their musical (and geographical) journey.… Continued →

California’s nu metal band Prone released one 2006 EP. They also have a girl drummer which is different. Check em out & good luck with finding the full EP as I have tried to track it down for years. Also, here is a great site that I use & this link has a bunch of verses that deal with hypocrisy. My fave verse on the subject is 1 Peter 2:16. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-hypocrisy/ … Continued →

Hope for the Dying is a symphonic metal band which had its roots in metalcore. They formed under the moniker Convicted in 2003 & released 3 EPs/demos until 2007 when they changed their name. Seriously, If you haven’t heard their stuff check em out.  I haven’t heard anything new since their awesome 2016 release Legacy so here’s to hoping they release new music at some point. … Continued →

I’m very excited to introduce you all to Linden Hope. She released her first single today, and we had a great opportunity to discuss the context of the song, the ways we truly live out Christ’s mission of being one family, and all things surrounding her forthcoming record. Check out the song below and read on – this is personally one of my favorite interviews in quite a while! … Continued →

This band released one demo in 2008. Appears they were labeled as spirit filled hardcore & were from Sacremento, Cali. Check this rarity out.  … Continued →