News

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

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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 →

The face melting, easycore leaning, pop-punk super stars known as – HOMEPLATE, are back, well sort of. The band just re-released their music on all digital stores and they dropped a super fun sonic (the hedgehog) REMIX track of the song “Time Stands Still”, one of their originals. Check out the song below or on all digital networks. Also be sure to give their debut EP a listen, it’s called “Derby City” and was one of the best things of 2020 next to their pals in Grandpa Loves Rhinos of course.… Continued →

Reap and Sow, an east coast melodic/hardcore band, just dropped one of the best new independent heavy music albums of 2021. Stretching it? Well, give it a listen now and you decide. Remember, all opinions are completely subjective and in my honest opinion THIS is some incredible stuff especially from an unsigned, independent band. New album “Greyworld” is out now and on all digital networks across the world. Listen to the full album in a special link right here.… Continued →

Sorry for the onslaught of news this morning. I’ve got a lot to catch up on due to some health issues I’ve been going through. So let’s get at it. Meadows just dropped another new song titled “The Call” a week ago and have announced pre-orders for their upcoming album “In Those Days and Also After” via Facedown Records. Check out the pre-order here in some really sweet options including vinyl with some unique features. Album is out September 3rd on Facedown Records. You can find the song below.… Continued →

I’d like to introduce HeavyMind to all of you. It’s a kickback indie pop type duo featuring Teddy Boldt (Teddy At Night) and Mark Campbell. They released a debut song titled “Hold Me” on all digital networks back at the end of May and I guess I somehow missed posting about it. To me at least it sounds like mixing up The Weeknd, Chris Isaac, NYVES, TwentyOnePilots, Cool Hand Luke, and Gotye. It sounds like a weird combo of RIYL artists but that’s my train of thought and what I’m hearing.… Continued →

Wow, Facedown Records is on quite a roll with amazing new music and it certainly doesn’t stop as is evidenced by this new HolyName track. Check out “My Way” below and make sure to pick up some merch right here. Who else is looking forward to a full length?… Continued →

I’m feeling somewhat ok today so how about some news? Phinehas dropped another new song titled “Eternally Apart” a week ago from their forthcoming new record “The Fire Itself” which is out on 8/27. Check the song out below. Can we all come to an agreement that this band absolutely RIPS? Oh yeah!… Continued →

I first heard L.S.U. in about 1991. I had been a pretty staunch metalhead, but a few alternative rock bands were starting to open me up to new colors in my musical palette. While the experimental This is the Healing was the first album I heard from them, The Grape Prophet is a favorite of fans and critics alike. The album was one of the first and only concept albums, or “rock operas” as band leader Michael Knott liked to call them. The Grape Prophet tells the story of Ellis, an orange picker who works for Col.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• The Brave – Evie’s Little Garden
• Paradise Now – We Never Die

Pop & CCM

• Ben Lawrence, JSteph – why do i feel this way (EP)
• Coby James – Mixtape: Side B
• Glenmerle – Babel Steeple
• John Michael Howell – Running In a Dream
• Kye Kye – Arya
• NEEDTOBREATHE – Into The Mystery
• NewKings – Finale
• ON / OFF / ON – 101 (EP)
• Sam Rivera – Rise (EP)
• Sarah Nathalié – The Remix
• Sidewalk Prophets – I Believe It Now (Alternate Versions) (EP)
• Tre’ Mutava – The Movies
• 7eventh Time Down – I’m Free (EP)

Electronic & EDM Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Zach Winters – Other Side (A) (EP)

Hip Hop & Urban

• Battz – Carlton Deserves Flowers (EP)
• Big Fil – PHILLY ILLIES
• Ceasar Kiveli – Reborn
• Gil Gatsby – The Nameless Ep
• Kingholyan Miraculous, Eli Williams – Good Guy EP
• Mike REAL – S.O.S.

… Continued →

I’m a sucker for all things shoegaze, including music that often falls under the wider umbrella of dream pop, madchester/baggy, indie pop and some forms of Britpop and space rock. While shoegaze had a limited representation amongst Christian artists, there were a few who really excelled in the genre. Ypsilanti, Michigan’s Velour 100 was one such artist. Led by Trey Many (who had honed his skills in the mainstream His Name is Alive and Liquorice; also a member of indie rock supergroup Lo-Tom), and rounded out by vocalist Amon Krist (daughter of renowned folk artist Jan Krist) on the debut, the band employed a trio of lead vocalists for their more accessible and also edgier sophomore effort Of Color Bright.… Continued →

Most covers are just quickly mashed together, lacking any real emphasis on originality, pulling an existing song out of it’s sameness and reigniting it to a whole new level. Well my friends, Lightworker have taken the old song “Crawling in the Dark” from 00’s rockers – Hoobastank, and given it a whole new life. Most people don’t know that Hoobastank created a whole bunch of music/songs before The Reason took over airwaves and people’s hearts. This song was a real rocker and Lightworker have breathed new life into this song and the genre as a whole.… Continued →

Lots of Christafari news to report on this beautiful Saturday morning here from Southern California. First up, the band just dropped a brand new album on all digital networks titled “Under God”. The new song “Jireh” is currently getting a music video filmed for it and will be released soon. The band dropped a music video for the song “His Blood (Feat. Roland Manakaja)” last week and the song actually comes from their 2020 album “Musicianaries: At Any Cost” which the new documentary is centered around.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Anberlin – As You Found Me

Pop & CCM

• Kevin Hackett – AWAKE AFTER MIDNIGHT (EP)
• NICE. – HOW CAN YOU SLEEP IN A TIME LIKE THIS? (EP)
• Ross King – Unfinished

Electronic & EDM

• JIMMY ROCK – Summer Vibes (EP)
• Jhonny Vergel – Born Again EP

Folk & Singer/Songwriter Hip Hop & R&B

• BigBreeze – Trap Out Da Gospel
• Bishop Freeze – A New Creation: The Memoirs of Bishop Freeze (From Death to Life)
• BrodieDaVinci – I’m Feeling 22 (EP)
• cconsciencee – LIFE INFINITY
• Derek Minor, Greg James, THICC James – I’m Lovely (EP)
• Joey Vantes – SLWD
• R.

… Continued →

How often have you gone back to listen to an album that was more than 10 years old, only to find it didn’t hold up as well as you thought it would? A sloppy guitar part here, or a bad mixing job there, or even just song ideas that didn’t really work as well in hindsight? I first heard Atlantis in 2007 when I was asked to review it for Uprise Zine (if you remember that publication, give me a shout!) While I definitely remember liking it, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds 14 years after its release.… Continued →