News

Living Fire recently dropped a new ep, titled “Mercy Between Love & Hate”. This release was different than what I was expecting, but a in a really good way. The new ep shows the guys leaning in a much more hard rock/nu metal direction and they pull it off quite well. I’ve given the release a number of listens since it dropped and have yet to find a song I feel the need to skip or that feeling of wearing any of it out, so, to me, this release has great listenability (yes, I just came up with that, shut it, haha) as well as repeatability.… Continued →

Myself and Noah have been hard at work on creating a variety of Spotify Playlists featuring many bands covered by Indie Vision Music as well as other artists you might recognize. Check out the “Pop Punk Essential Playlist” I created a few weeks ago as well as the “New Song Hits” Playlist I just morphed from the prior “Song Blast” one. Each has new and recent songs from a collection of artists. A little disclaimer: The Pop Punk Essential Playlist is not one that features Christian music only artists.… Continued →

Returning to our collective mindset here in 2021 with their first new song in almost 20 years is “Abyss” by the band Beloved. It is everything you wanted the band to sound like in 2021 and everything you’ve dreamed about for years. It certainly does live up to expectations and takes them in an entirely new yet still grasping on to pieces of the past. While I can certainly name off handfuls of bands that have recently reunited that maybe shouldn’t have, Beloved are not one of those bands.… Continued →

Sef Idle recently dropped a new EP called “Retrogradation” which is definitely a “Plugged In” punk rock collection of songs. There is a fair mix of previous acoustic jams from his past material amped up and explored in a more punk rock direction. This is a really great collection of songs. Take a listen to the 4 song ep below via Bandcamp, Spotify or I also included a youtube clip of “Bindsided” which is one of my favorites.… Continued →

Punk Meets Metal Band, Living Fire, just dropped a brand new ep titled “Mercy Between Love & Hate” and it is quite a diverse set of songs. Fans of the Dogwood meets Good Riddance sound of the past might be a little disappointed but fans of the heavy music realm who are looking for a talented band to follow will be pleasantly surprised. I would say there is a heavy nu-metal type sound mixed with the punk underground spirit and a rock back bone. Imagine Disturbed mixed with P.O.D.,… Continued →

Emery just dropped a new song titled “Concussion”. Listen below or on your digital network of choice. The song will appear on the band’s upcoming album, “Rub Some Dirt On It!” Pre-Order here.… Continued →

San Diego-based rock band Robert Vaughn & the Shadows released their classic album Love & War in 1987. As fate would have it, it was the final release on Exit Records (home of Seventy Sevens, Vector and Charlie Peacock), and its partnership with Island Records. Due to the unfortunate demise of the label, the album never saw a CD release (only LP and cassette). While the master tapes were tied up in red tape for decades, Randy Layton of Alternative Records recently worked out a deal to obtain the original masters.… 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 →

Longtime IVM supporter and friend Ben Kunz, performing as Benjamin Daniel, has unveiled the first single off his forthcoming 15-track album. Shelterheart was recorded with Asher Peterson (son of Andrew Peterson) in Nashville. This release sees a powerful marriage of Kunz’s lyric-driven songwriting and the quiet confidence of other Peterson projects. Check out the first single below … Continued →

The band Luxury are returning to the stage for a special one night only concert event in Atlanta, GA. The concert takes place on September 23rd with Unwed Sailor and NRCSSST joining them. You can buy tickets and find out more info right here.… Continued →

The super group of sorts known as “The Lost Chorus“, return with a brand new song titled “Ring The Mission Bell”. Check out the exceptional new song below to get a taste for what’s to come. Featuring members of this band and that band, maybe another band or two, too. Come on, do some digging and you’ll figure it out. This is going to be one of the best things of 2021. Check out the song via YouTube below and listen to the song as intended.… Continued →

The punk rawk family duo known as The Prettybads, just released a brand new song titled “The Watch”. Check out the song below and make sure to buy some merch/digital music right here.… Continued →

Starflyer 59 are returning next month with a brand new album tiled “Vanity” that will be released through Velvet Blue Music. Jason Martin & Co. have been very active the past few years with loads of new music and if the 3 singles off this album are any indication of the quality present in this record then we are all in for a real treat. Pre-order the album in several different options via the Velvet Blue site right here. I was able to order my super bundle this morning so if you act fast, some of these options might still be available.… Continued →

Jeff Elbel has been around the block a few times. Active in one form or another since the 1980s, first via Farewell to Juliet, then Sunny Day Roses, and then Ping. He’s played with members of mainstream new wave/prog band The Fixx and also new age instrumentalists Mannheim Steamroller. He’s even had songs featured on Dr Demento! His latest project The Threefinger Opera is almost at its goal of $5,000 and boasts a wide variety of packages from downloads to CDs, vinyl, and other merchandise! With only 22 days left in the campaign, you won’t want to wait on this one.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Earth Groans – The Body (EP)
• Huntingtons – Back to Ramonia
• Make Sure – Ninjutsu
• Meadows – In Those Days & Also After
• Weapons of God – The War Within Us

Pop & CCM

• Aryn Michelle – Pariah, Pt. 1 (EP)
• Chris Renzema – Get Out of the Way of Your Own Heart
• Kevin Jones – Simple as That

Electronic & EDM

• God’s Warrior – Light Is Greater

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Cory Breth – Wide Awake: Live at the Warehouse
• Strategic – Strangers (EP)

Hip Hop & R&B

• DanMar26 – Armor (EP)
• Derek Minor – Highlight Tapes, Vol.

… Continued →

Today P.O.D. dropped the 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition of their highly acclaimed 2001 release, “Satellite”. The album contains 27 tracks, including a few rarities, remixes, and 4 unreleased demos. Available now wherever you buy/stream music or 2 disc cd.… 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 →

Empty, who had a rather impressive debut release, “Hope & The Loss Of It” on Solid State Records in Sept of 2019, have announced a followup will be released thjs Fall, again, with Solid State. The album, “Made Of Fire” is set to drop October 22nd.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Phinehas – The Fire Itself
• The Protest – Death Stare (EP)
• Theody – Smoke And Mirrors

Pop & CCM

• The Consolation – Roll a Stone (EP)
• Matthew Parker – Dragonfly
• Mike Donehey – Flourish
• Nicole Serrano – all alone all together (EP)
• Panther City Riots – You Gotta Say Something

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Paul Whitacre – Paul Whitacre on Audiotree Live (EP)
• Teressa Mahoney – Disillusions

Hip Hop & R&B

• Christon Gray – School of Roses 2
• Kieran the Light – Storms
• Lamar Riddick, Eli Williams – Nothing to Prove
• Paul the Messenger – Paul (EP)
• Sean Frazier – Gunz N Rozez 2
• Wilfredo – Bloomed in the Moonlight

Worship & Gospel

• All Nations Music – Sanctuary
• Antioch Music – Desertland
• Austin Stone Worship – Jesus Is Greater (Live From The Gospel Coalition)
• Bethany Barnard – All My Questions
• BT Worship – Above | Beyond (EP)
• Dan Goodwright – These Three Remain (EP)
• Eddie James Presents – Intimate Worship, Vol.1
• Journey Worship Co.

… 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 →

Jason Martin is back at it, never ceasing to create and release new music. The new single is called “Sunrise” and is decidedly more upbeat than the recent “Life in Bed.” Perhaps the two work as companion pieces? The 80s post-punk and new wave influences are here again, but filtered through Jason’s shoegaze and indie rock background. Check out the song on your streaming platform of choice. Be sure to download and support the artist where possible. https://starflyer59.bandcamp.com/album/sunrise https://soundcloud.com/velvetblue/starflyer-59-sunrise https://open.spotify.com/track/4o5hLF6WnULrPXFCMzmLH5?si=5ee0b792c04143d1… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Gable Price and Friends – If I’m Being Honest… (EP)
• Meadows – In Those Days & Also After, Pt. III (EP)
• Switchfoot – interrobang

Pop & CCM

• Danny Gokey – Jesus People

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Andrew Word – Walk These Hills (Deluxe Edition)
• Drakeford – Wayward & Home (Part I)

Hip Hop & R&B

• C Duffle – I AM
• Cephas – We Will Go: The Remixes (EP)
• CS LIT – Silva Freestyles 4
• Deraj – MADE FOR THIS (EP)
• Desi Raines – The Last Safe Pack (EP)
• Germaine Martel – 1983 (EP)
• Iam Justified – Mr.

… 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 →

Rock & Metal

• Frost Like Ashes – Fellowship of Suffering (EP)
• Roelant – Live In The Heights (EP)
• Spirit Breaker – Cura Nata

Pop & CCM

• Abby Robertson – Abby Robertson (EP)
• Branan Murphy – Better King (EP)
• Various Artists – Songs We’ve Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven’t), Volume Ten

Electronic & EDM

• God’s Warrior – Melody Island

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Cody Ray Lee – of the dreamer (EP)
• John Yany – Come See the Healing of Nations (EP)
• Wild Harbors – Monument Remixes (EP)

Hip Hop & R&B 

• Aha Gazelle – Spin
• Alano Adan – If Not Now Then When
• CJ Emulous – Can I Take Your Order
• Damac – Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil
• M.A.K

… Continued →

One of my most anticipated albums of 2021 from a highly recommended new band by the name of Radical Radical, drops on August 27th. This emo driven pop-punk album is sure to impress just about anyone who gives it a chance and the nostalgia dripping from your stereo will be enough to overwhelm the senses in a most powerful way. Get into the new record by watching the teaser below and make sure to mark August 27th on your (digital) calendars for the release of Radical Radical “I Feel Like I Want To”.… Continued →

Spirit Breaker dropped the 2nd single titled “The Mountain Between Us” as the lead up to their Solid State Records debut, “Cura Nata”, which just dropped yesterday. So like with all good things IVM related this may be late but still just as good. Check out the song below and find out more about the album here. Buy physical copies here.… Continued →

War of Ages just dropped a blistering new song by the name of “Sleight of Hand” which is certainly, dare I say, one of the band’s best? Really diverse track full of the band’s furious energy, unrelenting heaviness, and irreplaceable singing parts. This is really going to be a great new EP (Rhema) that releases on October 29th via Facedown Records. What goes better with Halloween than some heavy metal done War of Ages style, am I right? Check out “Sleight of Hand” on all digital networks now and listen below.… Continued →

You might be familiar with Sally Grayson’s name due to her collaborations with The Blamed–lending her vocal cords on their cover of the scaterd-few classic “U” (for their Quarantine Days project), or for her contributions to “Away in a Manger” on 2020’s Christmas album. The scaterd-few cover is where I first became familiar with her work. Or you might recognize her from her Ted Talk on creativity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia2ldxK2rF0), or as a member of post-punk outfit Black Swift. Or perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to catch her on tour with two other femmes de puissance Tess Wiley (solo/Splendora/Phantasmic/ex-Sixpence None the Richer) and Kat Jones.… Continued →

Listen: Amazon Music | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Follow: Instagram… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Bred 4 War – Awaken The Harbinger (EP)
• The Letter Black – The Letter Black
• 2 Minute Minor – 8-bit Remixes (EP)

Pop & CCM

• Anne Wilson – My Jesus (Live In Nashville) (EP)
• Jacob Stanifer – Full Circle
• Mirours – dazzle. (EP)

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Jacob Hilton – A State of Falling
• Joe Day – Halflight
• Violet Alexandria, Dudu Vieira, Caleb Joshua – Coastline (EP)

Hip Hop & R&B

• Isreal Perez – LEVELS
• Jarrell – Rise
• Jon Keith – SUMMERTIME IN THE VLLG
• Levante Joyner – Throwaways (EP)
• Phil J.

… Continued →