Articles

Moral Support were an Irish new wave band that brought the genre to Christian rock in a more open manner around the world. This song is a bit quirky to me (imagine that when we’re listening to new wave!). Hope ya like it … Continued →

Cry Mercy was a groove metal band hailing from Australia signed to Steve Rowe’s record label. I remember hearing them on a compilation put out by Rowe Productions & loved this song. The album didn’t fare well, but might have done a lot better if it came out back in the early 90s instead of 1996 like it did.  Also check out D.A.M. … Continued →

Shade was a post grunge band in the same vein as 12 Stones, Day of Fire, etc… I can’t find much about them, but also check out their amazing song Case from their first LP Middle of Somewhere. … Continued →

Wonderfully noisy, and delightfully obscure, The Lonely Now only released 3 full-length recordings in their short career: —Captive, 1986, Narrowpath Records (cassette only) —Original Intention, 1987, Narrowpath Records (cassette, LP) —Honest Tear, 1990, Narrowpath/Refuge (cassette only) While all of their releases are somewhat difficult to obtain, ironically their final album–the only one with national distribution through Refuge–is the most difficult. It was released through the same agreement as debuts by The Crucified, Breakfast with Amy, and The Swoon. In fact, founding member Greg Sostrom (AKA Greg Strange) was the owner of Narrowpath Records.… Continued →

Microskapic (also seen listed as Microscopic) was a quirky Christian rock/reggae/ska/punk hybrid band that started on Travis Wyrick’s Rugged Records label. They seemed to have only released 2 LPs before disbanding. Other than that, good luck on finding much about them. … Continued →

Beekin was a rap/modern rock hybrid that hailed from Tennessee. They released one full length 2009’s All That’s Left Behind which sported the single Take Everything, but also has a decent cover of Mister Mister’s Broken Wings. … Continued →

Kronicles was a nu-metal/modern rock band that changed their style to dubstep rock. I dig the change & hope you like this one also. As far as I can see, no one knows me like you do. And no one knows where the wind blows, Where it comes and where it goes, but I just need you here. I need you. Anxious, I confess Break it down and I’m 46ed And when it all comes down I need you Mad stressed, I digress Feelin down and I need my fix And when it all comes down I need you.… Continued →

Swiss band Morgarten are back with a new full-length album, this time on Inner Wound Recordings. The album is called Cry of the Lost and was released in June. While the band still plays in the folk metal genre overall, the new material is heavier than their debut, and features more prominently the elements of black metal and some of the fantasy/epic battle elements of power metal, as evidenced by the accompanying music video. Slight warning: while the band’s lyrics clearly use battle stories to paint an allegorical picture of spiritual warfare and Christian spirituality, there are some moderately graphic fight scenes in the video.… Continued →

My Epic is great live. They are also an emotional post hardcore band that hails from North Carolina whose lyrics seem to pour from a longing to understand Jesus. I am not going to write much on this epic band as IVM already did an interview that you can check out here https://www.indievisionmusic.com/interviews/my-epic-3/ … Continued →

Akeldama is a Christian arena rock band that released their self-titled release in 1996. Think Warrior, Blood & Fire, Krush or Laudamus to get a feeling. Anyways, had a really hard time finding their music, but was able to speak with the bassist/vocalist on social media who subsequently sent me a few of their songs. “Akeldama” is actually the Aramaic name for field of blood which is where Judas hung himself after betraying Jesus. Anyways, this song speaks of a girl who is going the wrong direction away from YHWH & the singer is crying out for her to wake up & come back to Jesus.… Continued →

So a new friend or acquaintance finds out you’re into music. The inevitable question follows: “what kind of music do you like?” How honest are you? Do you simply say, “I like a little bit of everything?” You know that’s not true. You can’t stand Matchbox 20. Do you try something a little more honest, but still generic, like, “mostly rock stuff.” No, that won’t work either–they might think you mean Lynyrd Skynyrd. Or are you blatantly honest with them, knowing they are unlikely to have a clue what you mean: “my favorite genre is probably shoegaze.”… Continued →

Point of Recognition was a metalcore/spirit filled hardcore band that changed their sound after their Admiration of a Son LP.  The band came onto the scene when Underoath was still in their early days & No Innocent Victim was huge. TBH I never did care for their muddy hardcore sound after Admiration. This SOTD was chosen due to its sound & great lyrics, but also check out Return to Strength, A Path Unknown & Unlawful Burden. I thank you Lord for the grace you’ve shown me sometimes I just don’t know why, because there’s no creature ever so more wretched than I, and I will bow down with my face to the floor from all those times that I’ve searched for something more, but I will dry those tears and hold my head up high, cause I stand a conqueror in Jesus name.… Continued →

Hey, I get it. 80s metal is a love or hate thing. Many IVM readers are fans primarily of pop-punk and related genres. The thought of dudes in make-up, hairspray and spandex just seems like a bad joke. But for those of us who were there, it comes with a heap of nostalgia, and occasionally some good tunes too! It’s a shame, but Watchmen never quite got the level of attention that some of their peers received (Whitecross, Guardian, Holy Soldier), perhaps because of the brevity of their career.… Continued →

Broomtree is a modern rock band from a small record labelled called Rustproof that brought us Polarboy, Send the Beggar & a few others. Vocalist Kylie has a distinct voice that sill reminds of a few 90s female fronted bands. Reckless is from their 2nd LP which has a more polished sound to it & contains some thought provoking lyrics. I see what you want, I know who you are The latest big shock won’t get you too far You live in the dreams of how your life seems But you never care for the reality Your personality is not be coming to me You won’t drag me down into this world You know the truth but won’t live the life You make the rules, the rhythm and rhyme Behind the wheel, don’t know how to drive You travel still, through your reckless life I hear the excuse blamed on the abuse You give out your heart and you claim that you’re used You know how it feels but you welcome it still As you tear at the whole when there’s nothing to fill It’s temporarily hiding the fact that you’re in need Then you’re sinking down into this world… … Continued →

Hope Kills Fear hails from New York City & started in the mainstream when a few members came from another band. The band’s name comes from a fan of the band when their vocalist saw the phrase on the fan’s Myspace page. Although they have shared the stages with mainstream artists, the band is most definitely Christian based. Besides this inspirational SOTD about surrendering to YHWH & to “destroy the thing you’re running after”, check out Save Me. … Continued →

Fight the Fade is a modern rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma that remind me of a harder edge 7eventh Time Down for some reason.  The band has released 5 albums thus far & several catchy singles including some amazing songs including Rise, Seasons, Lanterns, Falling & some great covers from Adella, Linkin Park & this SOTD from Echosmith. … Continued →

Contemporary Celtic band Iona have been making music since their eponymous debut released in 1990. Fusing traditional Celtic folk instruments (flutes, whistles, bodhran drums, etc.) with jazz and progressive elements caused them to stand out from their other contemporary Celtic peers. Albums from the band commonly featured worshipful tunes (“Treasure” for instance, from their third album Beyond These Shores or “Revelation” from the second one, Book of Kells), traditional Scots-Irish tunes, as well as lengthy instrumental songs, or instrumental sections within songs. One of the most stunning examples of the latter is “Bi-Se I Mo Shuil” (Irish Gaelic for “She is My Eye”), from their fourth album Journey into the Morn.… Continued →

Is there something that you’re holding onto that you need to let go?  I think we all have felt that from time to time as Christians as YHWH continuously works on us. White Heart was an amazing rock band that had a plethora of members & albums. I actually worked with Rick Florian’s son a few years ago! Anyways, today’s SOTD was chosen as a reminder of the joy of letting go of what hurts us/holds us back from the potential that YHWH wants for us.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:… Continued →

AsFireFalls formed as a electronicore band with a softer edge. Hailing from Idaho, the 3 piece (which apparently started out as 4 members) has released an EP & numerous singles that have aired on Christian rock radio stations/shows. Branson is so darn catchy that it was just itching to be a SOTD. Also included is a live video & their website. https://www.asfirefalls.com/about … Continued →

Eight28 is the band that formed after the modern rock Human disbanded. From what I understand, their original singer Randy sang vocals on many of the songs that would become the full length Systems Down released on Cul De Sac Records in 2001, but left the band shortly thereafter. Another singer whom I have spoken to a few times on social media, Marshall Mcluhan, ended up singing for a short time & the N.A.G song is on his 2017 album. It also seemed appropriate to run this SOTD on August 28 (catch my drift lol)!… Continued →

Fluffy’s debut, Fluffy Luvs You, was a fun punk rock record, even if it was a little predictable. Featuring 3 chord thrash goodness, and nonsensical lyrics, it stood out in the Christian punk scene for its lack of preaching. So fans and critics alike were a little puzzled when the band dropped their sophomore effort, Go, Fluffy, Go! In place of the fast, simple riffs, were long, slow songs that juxtaposed indie rock, sludge metal, and noise rock–something that wouldn’t be seen in CCM by another artist for another 5 years (yes, I’m thinking of Warlord’s EP, from 1997).… Continued →

Officer Negative is hxc punk at its finest imho. The Californian band even recently re-released some stuff last year from my recollection& I was able to buy a JCHC t-shirt! I am still stoked lol!. Anyways JCHC stands for Jesus Christ Hardcore & is an in your face about such. After the band disbanded, they formed a couple of other bands including hxc Hit the Deck metalcore The Death Campaign Project & cowpunk Zippy Josh. Below are its lyrics as well as a live video: Living for Christ is what we do That’s the definition of our hardcore We don’t need drugs or booz Christian punks we won’t loose Jesus Christ Hardcore Kick satan in the face With our steel toe boots We are in the army of God With salvation as our roots We all stand together Unified by Jesus Christ Defeating Satan spew With the word of Jesus Christ Sick and tired of worldly views Sick and tired of satans abuse Sick and tired of compromise Sick and tired of all his lies     … Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:… Continued →

Altar Boys are a long running (formed in 1982) (punk) band whose very existence is a huge force in how our Christian punk subgenre has come to be. Mike Stand & company have done a wide variety of genres including modern rock (see my Clash of Symbols review) & rockabilly. There is a plethora of AB’s songs that I could have done for this SOTD, but 1000 Miles is about how Jesus loves us & is patiently waiting for us to turn to Him no matter how far we feel or seem to have gotten from Him.… Continued →

Big Methuselah is the Texan Christian rock band from North Carolinian Ted Pearce who has done a few different genres including world & trance going under such monikers as Phatdawg & also hung out with Joel Chernoff of the epic Messianic Jewish group Lamb. Nuff said lol! Anyways, this song is about the fight we have with ourselves & our sin nature. The video is hilarious imo but it is grainy & feels like it was amateurly made. This song actually made it into the Guinness Book of World Records on a compilation cd that was the longest of all time.… Continued →

I first heard Nobody Special in 1989. My local contemporary Christian music radio station (KOKF 91.1 FM out of Oklahoma City) played their new album in its entirety over the airwaves. You see, KOKF was not your average CCM station. Sure, they played some adult contemporary and “inspirational” stuff during the daytime, but as the late afternoon and evening hit, they would feature more contemporary styles including pop, rap, rock, etc. And then after 9:00, it was all heavy music–mostly metal, but with some punk and hardcore thrown in from time to time.… Continued →

Kenny Marks is an epic singer/songwriter IMHO & I have owned several of his heartfelt discography over the years. He first came to my recognition with his song The Party’s Over back when my generation had cassette tapes. Then he came out with the phenomenal LP Another Friday Night. Every single last song on it was mind blowing & I was hooked. Today’s SOTD is actually the 3rd part of a 4 part song series on a relationship that started with Growing Up Too Fast & ends with Fire of Forgiveness which is what his story is all about.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics: … Continued →

Goodnight Fear is an indie alt-rock pop band from Ohio. For the longest time I thought the band’s name was Ex-Nihilio which was actually the name of their debut EP. This is one catchy song that makes you want to sing-a-long & generally puts me in a good mood. Although this song released in 2016, they came out with a new one this past May called You Got Me ( I Got You).  Hopefully you dig it! … Continued →