Articles

Veil of Ashes was a college rock band from Oakland, California, who debuted with the critically-acclaimed album Pain on Graceland Records (an imprint of Frontline) in 1989. While they had started out as a post-punk outfit with goth leanings, most of that influence had faded by the time their debut hit. A second album The Young and the Reckless: The Regression of Veil of Ashes was released on Blonde Vinyl in 1992, but it was actually a retrospective release of earlier demos. That same year the band shortened their name to Veil and released their final studio album (before taking a long hiatus and re-forming in the late 90s) Mr.… Continued →

American Made was a fun band that only released 2 LPS, but some of their songs have remained my fave in their tiny genre. What I mean by that is that they combined rapcore with funk & punk & hip hop. Interesting combo for sure, but imho it worked for its time. Both releases garnered Christian rock airplay with the Against The Flow title track, Earth Girls, Matt & Benny & the awesome Better Off Dead. Today’s SOTD believe it or not, was produced by White Heart’s Billy Smiley!… Continued →

I’ve got a confession to make. I don’t know a lot about electronica. As much as I love genre-fying musical artists and trying to pinpoint them within their style or scene, I just can’t get my heard around the hundreds of subgenres of electronic dance music. I was never one for going to nightclubs (where the genres and all its cognates developed), and the scene is just too huge to know thoroughly without being immersed in it. However, I do know what I like, and occasionally an artist or album comes along that just sounds good.… Continued →

Pulling from the archives, Oregon’s The Clergy had a sound that was a cross between the Go-Gos & old skool punk rawk. With only one album under their belt & songs on several compilations, this seemed to be a one-off in Christian music. One of the band members even went on to start the quirky art rock band Yum Yum Children who found themselves eventually on 5 Minute Walk records. I remember this song on an indie college rock station that played Christian music every once in a while & has stuck with me as memorable over the years.… Continued →

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

With the band name pulling from Matthew 12: 40, 3 Days Under is a hard rock band from Kentucky that is not ashamed of the Gospel. Today’s SOTD is my fave from them, but their song Mended comes in at a close second. They also just released a new single called Bleeding Through on March 21st, 2021. … Continued →

If you turn the Christian indie shaker upside down, not too many psychobilly bands fall out. One of the first and best was The Calicoes, from Texas. They released one fantastic EP called Rumble (the title a contextualized reference to the battle between good and evil), and a full-length named Custom Acceleration. For my money, the EP is the better release song for song. It’s more primitive and raw, which suits the style better in my view. You can’t go wrong with any of those 6 songs, but check out track 5, “Read.”… Continued →

Ravenhill is a soulful blues rock tinged band hailing originally from southern Illinois. Nearest mainstream bands would be The Black Keys or The Ranconteurs. My son Tyler & I had the pleasure of chilling with vocalist Joshua Clifton a few times locally at a music festival called Audiofeed & seeing them live.  To be honest, there are several great songs I could have chosen with this band, but another album review was done on Soul & Midnight Gold deserves some recognition! Anyways have fun with this rocker that eludes to our freedom in Jesus as only He has the cure for our sin-His forgiveness by His death burial & resurrection.… Continued →

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

Indiana’s Richard Wayne Mullins is a vital part of the Christian music industry. Besides penning & performing one of the best worship songs of all time, “Awesome God”, he also was a very talented musician who was proficient with the piano & the dulcimer which can be heard on many of his songs. His first couple albums did not gather much radio play, but The World As Best As I Remember It Vol 1 & 2 garnished many songs heard all over the radio at the time.… Continued →

Arkansas’ Common Children reminded me plainly of a cross between The Prayer Chain & Skillet. Why, might you ask? Well, CC has some serious ethereal atmospheric music akin to The Prayer Chain. And Skillet due to the obvious grunge influences and the three male band members when they first formed. Skywire came out in 1996 as did Skillet’s S/T. As far as the band’s name, well Jesus Freak Hideout’s site interview vocalist Marc & it is “because we are all common children in the sense that we all live together, in a broken world, in need of grace—beggars attempting to tell other beggars where to get bread.”… Continued →

Last year I shared my top 100 albums and EPs of 2020. This year I thought I’d try and break that list down a little and share my top albums and EPs for each quarter of 2021. So here’s my top 10 album for January-March 2021. You can find my full list of 2021 new releases here. 10. Fight Deck – Signs of Life I love the alt-rock vibes I get from this album. Right up until a song makes turn that makes me cringe.… Continued →

Peoria, Illinois’ Must Build Jacuzzi are a throwback to 90s era ska music. Having seen them multiple times, I can say they are most def a fun band to catch live. My son had fun the last time back in 2019 when he learned how to crowd surf at 12 years old! They also released a 2018 album right here on our own IVM. Check this SOTD & try to stop you head from bobbin’. … Continued →

The Sprinkle brothers are very talented & have been very busy in the music world. Just think about all the bands the 2 of them have played in: Poor Old Lu, Demon Hunter, Rose Blossom Punch, Fair, Blank Books, The World Inside, The Wrong Mind, Serene, A Cold Vein & Transparent, amongst many others. Although most projects Aaron has worked on lean to the alt-rock genres, 2017’s Escaping Light had a synthpop indie flair. Elle Puckett from Poema & Eisley guest vocals on this SOTD.   … Continued →

Celtic punk-now that’s a genre one doesn’t hear much of!  But, Chi-town’s Ballydowse does it well. along with other genres such as oi, folk, klezmer & aboriginal. The band rose from the ashes of one of the best hard punk bands ever Crashdog & released 2 LPS produced by Steve Albini. Their lyrics dealt with many social issues that were taboo in the “Christian” music industry. They used many instruments besides the normal guitar, bass, drums including the mandolin, didgeridoo, moorhen, bodhran, whirligig, concertina, fiddle, bagpipes & bullroarer.… Continued →

In the mid- to late-90s when all of the other Christian hardcore bands were doing new school/chugga chugga style hardcore with increasingly metallic influences, Bakersfield’s Chasm were drawing on earlier inspiration. These influences came mostly from the 80s British hardcore punk/d-beat sound (Discharge, Conflict, etc.), although somewhat ironically this track has elements of early black metal in the guitar riffs (a la Venom or Bathory). Nonetheless it’s still filtered through a hardcore punk sound. The band released one 7″ (Squander, Squander the Bright New Dawn) and one full-length (Gye Nyame, from whence our featured song is taken).… Continued →

L.S.U. has been around since the mid 80’s & have had several monikers including Lifesavers, Lifesavers Underground & L.S. Underground. They have also attacked several genres including, alternative, new wave, indie rock, surf rock & a tad being goth tinged with Michael Knott being the mainstay. Freedom is the first I heard from them from 1994’s Grace Shaker & the lyrics portray an homage to the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus. Hopefully you will like this song as much as I have over the years.… Continued →

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

Rising from the ashes of 2 other bands (one of which A Past Unknown has been played on a few Christian radio shows, including Ohio’s RadioU), Iowa’s Then It Ends is a metalcore band that has some great melodic stuff. Besides their most awesome energetic Kingdom which has profound lyrics (Someone else already beat me to a quasi review on July 3, 2014!), their rendition of Bethel’s It Is Well is worship music with a metalcore twist. Be prepared to raise your hands in worship to our Saviour Jesus with this one.… Continued →

Bam-this is hands down one of my fave songs of all time from a band that hails from the same town as another great (softer) band Eisley. This ballad just has some type of energy with its musical prowess & soaring vocals & provocative lyrics that makes me contemplate my life & relationship with YHWH. FFAK also still keeps releasing more music it seems like very year & vocalist Ryan has recently joined forces with Chris Wiseman from Currents on the metalcore project Our Eternity (see my review on that January 27, 2021).… Continued →

Is it a bit pompous to call your band “God”? Maybe. But what’s particularly interesting about this band is we know nothing about them. Band members are completely anonymous. Is it even a band, or a solo project? Where are they from? No idea. Because the project is completely designed to “Challenge you to consider Him as well as your life & death through the power of music,” they figured the best way to do that was anonymously. And you know what? I can respect that.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:  Shut up. Follow: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube… Continued →

Now here is a rarety from a Texan industrial rock artist known as Laing. His given name is Trevor (Laing) & his music falls somewhere in between Circle Of Dust & Mortal or even Skillet’s Hey You, I Love Your Soul release. He released 2 LPs 2001’s Groove & 2005’s Ashes. If you like this SOTD, check out my other fave from him the similar The Finish Line. … Continued →

So our family discovered this cute little Netflix film called “A Week Away”, which conveys a strong, hopeful message, and plenty of sing-a-long moments (think The Greatest Showman meets High School Musical meets Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist). The film takes cues from familiar Christian stories and uplifting films without getting too overly cheesy. Yes, it’s a family sing-a-long film but kids can stay connected to the story regardless of age(s) and find something meaningful to absorb. I found the film not only brings families together but can also be a great teaching tool for sharing Faith with those that are maybe seeking out greater meaning in this chaotic life we share.… Continued →

David Meece is a classic singer/songwriter hands down. Known primarily for his piano skills & his many Christian contemporary radio hits, he was also a subtle rocker. I think I remember seeing him on Trinity Broadcast Network’s Fire By Night hosted by Blaine Bartel back in the day.  Today’s SOTD is a bittersweet story of his life growing up & how Jesus was there all along. I think we all can understand that still small voice of Jesus calling for us while we were yet sinners.… Continued →

This band reminds me so much of mainstream’s 5 Finger Death Punch. Hailing from Kentucky, the band incorporates melodic hard rock from a Christian perspective. The band formed in 2009 with 2 members meeting due to the military bringing them to the same area. Being prior military for close to 8 years, this resonated with this reviewer. They have toured with mainstream & Christian bands alike & have great songs such as From The Inside Out (Not the worship song cover) & Still Standing. Check out my fave from them.… Continued →

While Gospel music to most probably represents tradition and preservation, there is also a strong undercurrent of experimentation and the avant garde. Among faith-filled artists are John Coltrane’s divinely-inspired free jazz, classical composers pushing the envelope of what music should be (Bach, for instance), heck even the first rock and roller (arguably) was essentially a Gospel singer/guitarist who just cranked things up a little louder. I mean, of course, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Add to the list Orlando Greenhill. Greenhill is probably most known for his upright bass playing in Havalina Rail Co.… Continued →

This Arkansas macabre husband/wife team has finally crossovered to mainstream with their catchy song Bring Out The Dead. Their musical talents seem to have many influences as heard in their many great songs including Try The Swine & Black Heart Hearse (alt-rock) & I Didn’t Come Here To Die (alt-country). This band is on my bucket list (to see live In person that is!). They seem to have high energy shows & wear various masks through them & their music videos. Check out the SOTD (which is in homage to my fascination of arachnids) & also a live quarantined concert below!… Continued →

Kiros (Greek for a moment of divine time) was a Canadian punk influenced modern rock band that had an 11 year career ending in 2013.  It also appears a review was made on their release prior to today’s SOTD on this very website! Today’s SOTD is extremely catchy so check out these lyrics & hilarious video! Careful living Is reckless at the core You trade in sell out Is this what I’ve waited for It’s so inviting Pursuing empty dreams With hearts left behind But I can’t resort to settling When I just want some clarity Cause these blurred lines are all I see Illuminate I can’t afford the price you’ve paid to Recreate But I can’t take this broken state of me These shallow things Don’t help me feel okay It’s wasting my time Instead of walking on the waves I’ve been so resigned To life in black and white But I have this time To add some colour to the sky There’s a conviction, there’s a reason that I’m reaching for Cause in this fading place I can’t help thinking that there so much more … Continued →

Veio is a crossover Oregon band that has a progressive metal sound akin to Tool & Deftones & being a fan of Maynard’s voice, I was happy when I found about this band on another Christian online radio site. Their mainstream song was Flare of Defiance & they have toured with other crossover bands Red & Starset . They formed in 2010 through Craigslist when the 2 originating brothers decided to start a band with their name being inspired by a Da Vinci sketch. Today’s SOTD is in prep for the new album that they are starting to write, but also, check out their cool cover of Filter’s Hey Man, Nice Shot.… Continued →