Articles

When Extol’s first album came out in 1998, the Christian hard music scene had been dominated by hardcore and the then-developing metalcore sound. This was being spearheaded prominently by labels like Solid State Records (a division of Tooth & Nail), and Facedown Records. Enter Norway’s Extol. No one quite knew what to do with them. Sure, there was still an active underground metal scene, but Solid State had not signed any heavy metal bands yet–only hardcore bands that dabbled in metal. But Burialwas a full-on heavy metal cacophony, bridging subgenres–progressive, black, thrash and death metal–often within one song.… Continued →

As has been the case of late, I am doing a great deal of write ups on little known songs/releases and this one is no exception to that rule. This is one of the better Off The Record songs from their mostly unheard final EP in 2004 titled “Nothing New”. Nothing New was released in 2004 on a west coast punk label called New School Records. The label released albums by 7-10 Split, Off The Record, Twenty2, Not Long After, No Trigger, among many others.… Continued →

While metallic industrial became the dominant form of industrial music in the mid 90s and beyond, it was the dancier stuff that held my attention better. I liked the heavier stuff too (Circle of Dust, Mortal, Generation) because it gave a new spin on metal, but after the while the genre seemed to blend into one. Industrial-dance, or electro as it’s sometimes called (not to be confused with the hip-hop/funk genre from the 1980s) combined harsh vocals and samples with danceable beats into something altogether different.… Continued →

SAE was a fun short-lived ska/pop punk band from Oklahoma circa early to mid-2000s. Their music has even been referred to as “skip hop”! RIYL: Must Build Jacuzzi, Skamikaze, Honeylocust, They released an EP & a full length on the Thin King Entertainment label which also released music from Awaiting Isaac and Radial Angel. Their album Less Talky Talky, More Rocky Rocky is incredibly hard to track down. Every now and then it will be sold on Amazon. Finally got a hold of my copy a few weeks ago!… Continued →

SoCal hardcore band Point of Recognition (or Point of Wreckinthangs as they were affectionately known by fans) released 3 full-lengths, an EP and a pair of split releases before disbanding in the mid-2000s. Members popped up elsewhere in the scene, but the band’s existence was sadly short. Nonetheless, their impact was felt strongly in both the Christian and secular hardcore scenes. Playing a heavy form of “new school” or “tough guy” hardcore, they stuck close to their roots, not following into the more and more metal-influenced versions of hardcore that were developing rapidly around them.… Continued →

Oklahoma’s Gears of Redemption is Nu-metal at its finest imho. RIYL: Korn, These 5 Down, etc… Complete with a thumping bass guitar, driving drums & angst ridden vocals, this 4 piece band brings the controlled chaos. 2000’s The War of Blood & Rust (released by Godfather records) was the only album to emerge before the band disbanded. The rockier indie Christian shows showcased This Is Me, Shedding Skin & My Life in their playlists. Their song No Time found its way on Cross Rhythms Extreme Music Sampler Vol 4.  … Continued →

dighayZoose was one of those outlier alternative bands in the Christian music industry. One could describe their music as funk metal and did not have much of an equivalent in the Christian market alas Scaterd Few with a sound akin to Jane’s Addiction or Red Hot Chili Peppers, but in a much harder vein. The 4 man band only put out a couple demos and 2 full LPs along with a live album before disbanding.  After disbanding, they released an LP on R.E.X as Hot Pink Turtle.… Continued →

"And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." - Mark 16:6

This week, Indie Vision Music introduced our very first theme switch design that allows you to alternate between “Light(side)” and “Dark(side)”. Pick your side and choose wisely! Kidding, but seriously this new theme switcher is pretty awesome. Just tried it on desktop Google Chrome and the “Light” one looks amazing. It works on both mobile or desktop versions of the Indie Vision Music website. I have long been wanting to switch up the site and offer the option of a lighter color so I feel as though this option is best move for us because it retains the original (2016) colors while also incorporating a lighter aesthetic.… Continued →

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 (warning: graphic video)

Break the Curse are a Chi-town style spirit-filled hardcore band out of Bolingbrook, Illinois. Fans of 2Minute Minor, Definite Choice, and Youth Crew hardcore will enjoy.

Loose End were a Christian skate punk band from Chula Vista, CA. FFO: Slick Shoes, Sick of Change, Broken Cedars, Average Joe Aspiring, and MxPx.

xSunday Schoolx were a Christian straight edge hardcore duo hailing from Auckland, New Zealand. FFO: xLooking Forwardx, Hit the Deck, xThe Red Baronx, and Carrying the Fire.

"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul."

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

"There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb."

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

Have you heard of Ten On Sunday? Fans of Rufio, Broken Cedars, and Average Joe Aspiring take heed!

Playlist of Classic Hymns redone by Indie, Punk, Ska, Hardcore, and Metal artists such as False Idle, The Insyderz, Becoming the Archetype, Attalus, and so many more!

"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." -Matthew 4:4

You’re probably tired of hearing it, but these are strange times we’re living in. How could any of us have been prepared for the reality in which we find ourselves? I don’t know about you but I’ve read a lot of dystopian fiction and watched a ton of post-apocalyptic films. Neither of them are all that helpful in our current scenario. But you know what is helpful? Hope. Friendship. Solidarity. Though the song touches on a depressing topic, it is ultimately these themes that emerge. Listen to the urgency with which Steve Taylor croons: If it all comes true And our dreams fall like bombs from the blue Oh!… Continued →

I loved Spoken from the moment their 3rd record dropped “Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell”. The minute I heard this song, “Promise”, from the album “Moment of Imperfect Clarity”, I couldn’t shake my Spoken fandom. This band and their music came out at the perfect time post-9/11. It was uplifting, positive, and the songs were incredibly addictive in melodies. The Used, Story of the Year, Senses Fail, and Blindside all would have made perfect tour mates during this time period. The song “Promise” was really an inspirational song, one that felt like a warm pat on the back and an embrace when you feel broken and miserable.… Continued →

Ok, yes I know, I am incredibly biased toward the music and sound of Five Iron Frenzy. They are high up on my list of “favorite bands” and I hold their songs close to my heart. I was browsing Instagram this morning and saw a couple of fans cover this song in their own unique way as seen on the FIF page and I had to bust this track out from the dusty bins of my fragile mind. It’s a beautiful song in and of itself.… Continued →

Facedown alumni and post-metal juggernauts A Hope For Home are teasing new material (about time), but in the meantime, they’ve made their independently-released debut available on Bandcamp. This is a band that personally has been hugely influential and Realis is one of my favorite albums of all time, so I’m very excited to see what’s to come. … Continued →

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

The Crucified is probably the most legendary Christian hardcore band of all time. They only released 2 full-length albums (plus some demos, and later re-issues) before disbanding in the early 90s. However, their influence cannot be overstated. Their blending of hardcore punk and thrash metal into a unique take on crossover thrash touched and influenced bands in genres as diverse punk, alternative, metal, hardcore and even industrial. Their sophomore effort, The Pillars of Humanity was heavy, fast and bold. And it wasn’t just the music. They lyrics hit hard as well.… Continued →

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2

Along with L.S.U. and the Altar Boys, another band that was really influential in getting me into alternative music (as opposed to straight metal and thrash of my teenage years) was Breakfast with Amy. Their debut album had enough punk rock influence to appeal to that side of me that wanted noise and aggression, but there was more to their sound than just loud, fast, and angry. There were also these weird, angular, noisy expressions and interesting metaphors about the faith that I wasn’t hearing anywhere else.… Continued →