News

Rock & Metal

• Love Like Gravity – Break the Silence

Pop & CCM

• Adam Watts – The Devil & the Light
• Adelaide – What Really Matters

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter Hip Hop & R&B.

• Eddie Clark – Soul Talk
• J. Will – My Brothers Keeper II
• Jordan Copas – Focus
• LLC Flame – child. (EP)
• Mike Teezy – Pressure (EP)
• outr.cty – FOTO DUMP, Vol. 1
• PNTDXTR – Extraterrestrial (EP)
• Reece Lache – All Love
• RmvChosen – New Vessel

Worship & Gospel

• AR Base – Love, Soul & Fire (EP)
• Celtic Worship – Morningtide
• Eleven32 Music – Goodness (EP)
• Futures – Hills & Horizons
• Greenhouse Worship – Heaven on Earth (EP)
• Humility and Hunger – In The Dark (EP)
• Mountaintops – All I Am is Yours (EP)
• Passion – Burn Bright (EP)
• River Valley Worship – Attention (A Devotional Project) (EP)
• Still Morning – War Zone (EP)

 Instrumental & Other

• Charlie Peacock – Blue For You (EP)
• Poor Bishop Hooper – Book IV (Instrumentals from EveryPsalm)
• Tommee Profitt – The Remixes (Vol.

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If you’ve followed my writings for any amount of time, it’s not hard to discern my love for all things shoegaze, dream pop and the like. One of the best in the game was the mysterious LN. I was never quite sure if it was a band, or a solo project masquerading as a band. Sure, it was fairly well known that Gary Murray (who later recorded as Gary Murray and LN, and then just as Gary Murray) was the principal of the band, but not as clear who else was involved or at what level.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Anberlin – Under A Dying Sun
• Buried Above – Buried Above
• Final Surrender – Frogs in a Pan
• Manafest – I Run With Wolves (EP)
• Sad Astronauts – Adult Fears

Pop & CCM

• The Afters – Where Heaven Touches Earth: Live at The Grove
• Ben Lawrence – BEN
• Brian Morykon –  Known
• Hannah Schaefer –  Crown (Deluxe)
• Jacob Stanifer – Full Circle (Deluxe)

Electronic & EDM

• God’s Warrior –  Happy Soul

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Chris Beland – What I Believe
• The Crossing – ‘Til We Meet Again
• Jameson McGregor – after the dust clears (EP)
• Paul Whitacre –  hard to dream (EP)
• Sandra McCracken,  Liz Vice

Hip Hop & R&B

• Alvin Cedric – Alvin Cedric (EP)
• ASAP Preach – Heaven Bound
• BigBreeze –  It Could Of Been Different
• BritYah – Kingdom Is Near
• BrodieDaVinci –  Snowed In (EP)
• CS LIT – Deleted 6 (EP)
• D-Rock – Blessed Up EP
• Da Young Disciples – Pressure
• Eliyah Monroe –  Long Lost But Found
• F.

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I don’t know why it took me so long, but recently a very simple thought has helped me out immensely in my spirituality and my walk with Christ. It’s simply this: choose love. That’s it. When I am tempted to sin, choose love instead. When I want to be selfish, choose love. When I want to do something that would only please or elevate myself and not others, choose love. Mike Stand was singing about it decades ago. And of course, the ultimate trump card here is Jesus himself.… Continued →

Just like that fabulous 1983 Star Wars sequel that people pretend not to enjoy because of a cute bundle of Ewoks, Nate Parrish will return but without cuddly little ewoks of course, in fact I don’t think there are any real Star Wars parallels to be drawn. I mean he is a wreck in the most loving reference but space action is kind not punk rock, or is it? Anyway, in 2022 Nate is returning with some of his best music yet. He was gracious enough to let me listen to a couple unmixed/unmastered songs and from what I heard, my fandom has increased by more than 1% (which is quite telling because it was already at 99.99 %).… Continued →

That most excellent pizza loving, video game playing, pop-punk giving, easy-core teasing band – HOMEPLATE, are back with a brand new EP titled “Welcome to Breitenstein” which will release via their new label home, Small Step Records. The EP drops on January 4th (a Tuesday like old times!) and is a rollicking good time for those that have the insatiable appetite for quality pop-punk music without all the nonsense and politics. When the scene becomes devoid of FUN, Homeplate bring it just like a steaming hot plate of pizza pie!… Continued →

This quirky alternative rock band released one independent EP and one full-length for Broken Records (also home to Undercover, The Holidays, Adam Again, etc.). While their normal material was interesting, to my ears the most compelling thing they recorded was a song for the Broken Christmas project, called “Born in a Stable.” While technically a Christmas song, it does a great job of pointing to Jesus’ purpose for coming to save us, by tracing the story of Jesus’ life and ministry all the way up to the empty tomb.… Continued →

Harvest Bloom is a Christian modern rock band that I interviewed during my college days. I love this song & a few others including Devil’s Poison & hope you do also. … Continued →

One of the very few true “screamo” bands in the Christian scene (not just melodic hardcore/emo-core), Fable only released 6 songs in their entire career–4 on their 7″ Give Us the Night (through the legendary Takehold Records), 1 on the hardcore compilation A Testament to Broken Walls, and 1 on a split with secular screamo band Mara’akate. Band members were only 15 when they started playing together in their hometown of Holland, MI, but they quickly made a huge impact in the underground scene. Unfortunately they fizzled out too quickly and left us with only these 6 songs.… Continued →

Lacey Sturm just posted a deeply poetic, and incredibly powerful new song titled, “Awaken Love” which can be heard below this post via YouTube. What are your thoughts? I could listen to this on any day, through any mood, and in practically any season.… Continued →

Los Angeles, CA. based pop-punk band – Protect Your Heart, have returned with not just a new song but also a NEW Music video to accompany the track. This one is on FIRE so give it a listen and spread the word. So dang catchy, am I right? Anyone else getting a Cove era Saosin vibe with a splash of State Champs in here?… Continued →

Insane new thrash/groove metal inspired band – Testimony of Apocalypse, have dropped their new song “Truth Vs. Lies” that you can listen to right below this post. I also placed the recent lyric video for their first official song, “Redemption”, that now has a lyric video. Be sure to follow the band here and pick up more music from the band and label here.… Continued →

Righteous Vendetta are returning in a big way with their new song/ep/album (which will it be?). Current title is “No Vacancy” and the release date is January 7th 2022. Who else has been wanting this band to return in a big way?… Continued →

I remember when I first heard this song. It was on the Tooth & Nail Songs from the Penalty Box compilation, amidst other songs ranging from pop-punk to hardcore and everything in-between. But Blindside was hard to peg. It was heavy and raw, and kind of hardcore, but not really. There was a mild rap influence in the delivery, but it wasn’t really rapcore either. Post-hardcore hadn’t really occurred to me as a category yet. The band put the song on their debut, self-titled, full-length album and a year later released a second–both albums on Tooth & Nail/Solid State.… Continued →

Big news for those into extreme metal. There is a new collaborative band in the war metal/bestial black metal style by the name of Cataclysmic Warfare. Vocals will be handled by Nocturnal Servant (of Goatscorge, Shekinah), and music by E.O.S. (of Marble Tomb, Antiviper). They are currently recording an EP, which they hope to release by mid-2022. The band will release a lyric video in the very near future, but for now they’ve offered this brief teaser. If this sample is any indication of the full EP, then black metal fans definitely have something to look forward to in the new year.… Continued →

Wisdom and Wages which is the new project from Jason Wisdom who is quite the musician and prolific songwriter, are releasing new music which includes and instrumental “Christmas” EP. Check out two songs, below. More to come from this project in 2022. Love this progressive metal Christmas music and it’s what we need right now. Can I get a righteous headbang of a yes?… Continued →

Ronnie Martin (Joy Electric, Brothers Martin, Dance House Children) just dropped his 2nd single titled “Snow Like Wool” which you can take a listen to right here (or below). Pick up a CD Deluxe Version of the song along with 2 bonus tracks right here from VBM. The new full length album will be out sometime in 2022 via Velvet Blue Music.… Continued →

San Francisco-based goth band BATZZ in the Belfry are relatively unknown in the mainstream, but that is a real shame. They combine “unashamed traditional old school goth” with ethereal dream pop, and even hints at shoegaze at times. I suppose this puts them in the realm of darkwave. Take “Touch the Stars” for instance. The song would easily be at home on a Metropolis or Projekt Records compilation alongside Sisters of Mercy, Love and Rockets, or Love Spirals Downwards. The song could almost fit on the Twin Peaks soundtrack as well.… Continued →

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of a little known melodic punk rock band’s debut album called “Sumo Surprise” (that band being GHOTI HOOK) UnoriginalVinyl and Tooth & Nail Records are putting out a limited Vinyl Pressing. UnoriginalVinyl has carefully and tastefully recreated the artwork, packaged it together with some thoughtful elements, remastering handled by Troy Glessner of Spectre Studios, and available in 2 different variants. One variant will have 500 copies and the other one, believe it or not, will have just 50 limited copies available!… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Guardians of the Secret – TRUE.CRISIS.
• Kept On Hold –  Tumtum Sessions, Vol. 2 (EP)
• Nick Law – The Whispers and the Rumours of War
• White Collar Sideshow – I Didn’t Come Here to Die (Instrumental)

Pop & CCM

• WeAreGeneration – Momentary Hue

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter Hip Hop & R&B

• Antwoine Hill – Jesus Peace
• the Apologist – Art & Facts
• AST 29 – Confessions
• oxphur – Nothing’s for Nothing
• Starringo – Ringo 4 President 2 (EP)
• Shiwan – Fragments

Worship & Gospel

• Colorvault – Until I Dream Your Dreams
• Fresh Life Worship – Noon (Live) (EP)
• Matthew Lilley – The Moravian Demos (EP)
• OneEleven Music – Worship Him (EP)
• Pete Crockett – Live at the Barn (EP)
• Phil Laeger – Calmed + Quieted (EP)
• Poor Bishop Hooper – Hymns II (EP)
• TheEDGE – Holding Nothing Back

Christmas

• Bethel Worship Arts – Christmas At Shiloh (EP)
• Brightline – Christmas With Brightline
• The Brilliance – Advent Collection (Remastered)
• Caleb and Kelsey – The Christmas Ballads (EP)
• Cherry Hills Worship – The Kingdom Is Yours
• Eddie James – Glory
• The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers – Americana Christmas (EP)
• Harbor & Home – A Saucy Christmas
• The Huddle Worship – Coming Off The Bench, Vol.

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Welcome to the best band you’ve never heard of. Enemy Ships (FKA The Emergency, not to be confused with The Emergency, AKA Ten-33) was a sort of supergroup with members from Christian alternative heavyweights like Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Bon Voyage, Neon Horse, etc.), Dirk Lemmenes (Stavesacre, Focused), Ryan Denne (Stavesacre), Travis Zimmerman (Jupiter James), and Frank Lenz (Fold Zandura, Frank Lenz, etc). The band recorded an album for mainstream Atlantic Records entitled The Emergencyin 2007, but sadly it was never released. Stylistically the band play rock and roll, but with a punk energy and aesthetic.… Continued →

Legendary singer, songwriter, musician, and one of the most recognized voices in Christian Music that many people still haven’t heard – Michael Knott, is back with a brand new EP. The All Indie EP Vol. 2 by Michael Knott is available right here through bandcamp on CD/Digital. “Underrated”, “Classic”, “Legend”, are all terms that can be unfairly associated with aging and relatively unknown musicians that have been slinging their instruments around for decades. Michael himself is more than just your common Christian Rock musician because he has been doing things his own way, despite his own struggles & past, and to the delight or dismay depending on how you look at it, for years and has inspired so many.… Continued →

Some classic 90’s era Christian Rock albums from groups like Switchfoot, Newsboys, and Audio Adrenaline, are getting the vinyl treatment. Check out Switchfoot “Legend of Chin”, Audio Adrenaline “Bloom”, and Newsboys “Take Me To Your Leader” all just now released as an exclusive through SMLXL Vinyl here.… Continued →

Relient K have reemerged from their hiatus to announce the “Um Yeah Tour” for 2022. For full list of dates and tickets, click here. Let’s hope there is new music and it picks up from 2009 with a splash of everything before. Who’s with me? Are any of you going to catch a date on this tour?… Continued →

Nate Parrish will return in 2022 with NEW music. I am hoping for a new full length. Labels take note, Nate Parrish needs to be signed or at least promoted by other companies. This is punk rock with real heart and soul. Who else is looking forward to this new music?… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Anberlin – Heavy Lies The Crown
• Chase Tremaine – Development & Compromise
• Love and Death – Perfectly Preserved Live (Release Event 2/12/2021)
• Matt Moore – The Art of Precious Scars (EP)
• Twenty One Pilots – Scaled And Icy (Livestream Version)
• UnWorthy – In The Face Of Death

Pop & CCM

• Jonathan Jackson – Enough
• Pyramid Park – /əˈnɒm(ə)li/ (EP)

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter Hip Hop & R&B

• Hulvey – COMA
• Ty Brasel – Destiny: Vol. 1
• ZDIORX – CHRISTIAN DIOR
• Malachi the Messenger – Letter From Paradise (EP)

Worship & Gospel

• Audacious Worship – No One Else EP
• Brian Sauvé – Sing Psalms, Let Joy Resound
• Central Worship – Present and Pleased (Live)
• Chapel Worship – Chapel Worship Waves + Wonders Eastern University (EP)
• Dana Dirksen – Songbook for the Soul, Vol.

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Craig’s Brother are back yet again with a brand new jaw dropping, hot track – “All The Way”, out now through all digital networks. This is the perfect representation for the Craig’s Brother song and a much welcomed song in their diverse catalog of music dating back over 20 years now. The backing vocals will give you chills. Check out “All The Way” below and be sure to support the band on socials by hyping the song and sharing the links. This is the 2nd song put out by People of Punk Rock Records and will be featured on their upcoming full length due out sometime in 2022 through that label!… Continued →

It’s time for some industrial! But not the guitar-heavy metallic brand. The November Commandment (or often Nov*Com) were doing EBM/electro before it was trendy–or even before it was called that. Hailing from Sweden, the band emerged with an independent cassette in 1988 called Complete Structure. The tape featured a minimalist sound driven by synthesizers, not too unlike Coil and some of Wire’s more experimental material. They released another cassette in 1991, this time a 5-song EP. The band made their appearance in the consciousness of American fans via the fantastic SLAVA compilation, Voice of the People, co-released through Blonde Vinyl Records.… Continued →

The melodic punk act “Namesake” which was originally from Arizona just came back out of retirement to release their first official record. Say what? Well this band existed from the late 90’s to early 00’s, playing along side some of the best early bands of our music scene and doing a few spot dates on west coast. The band released some demos and even was included on “I’m Your Biggest Fan Vol. 2“, that infamous Tooth & Nail Records compilation that dropped almost 20 years ago (2002).… Continued →