News

Indie Pop Singer-Songwriter-Drummer extraordinaire – Teddy at Night, just dropped his new song titled “Mr. Celsius” and it’s a total bop and/or banger as the kids would say. Check out the song below and make sure to follow all his socials.… Continued →

Jonathan Caro (Bloodshed, Stairwell) and Jeff Jacquay (Unashamed, Rainy Days, and Stairwell) have a fun new project called “The Concrete Slabs”. They just released their first song over on a newly created bandcamp page right here and it’s called “Post Meridiem”. Make sure to chip in some dough and grab this awesome new song. More to come I’m sure.… Continued →

THE great Southern California rockabilly trio – The Altar Billies, just released a new song back in December titled “High Iron in The Hills” which is a fitting tribute to Steam Locomotives, the C&O 1309 Steam Locomotive to be exact. You can watch the video and listen to the song below. Make sure to read the full description on YouTube for information on this glorious Train and it’s full restoration. Way to go guys!… Continued →

One visit to the Close Your Eyes facebook page and it’s clear to see that there is activity on the band side of things. Quite possibly we are looking at some sort of legit return and/or anniversary celebration for their 2 albums. What does that mean? A tour? New Music? New Merch? Return of old Vocalist? What do you want to see more of from Close Your Eyes in the future? What is your favorite song of theirs?… Continued →

for KING & COUNTRY are gearing up to release their brand new full length record (their 4th) titled “What Are We Waiting For?” that drops on March 11th 2022 and have just released a new song titled “Unsung Hero”. It’s a beautiful song and a fitting tribute to parents all over the world that raise us, leading by example. For those that didn’t have the most ideal parental experience, consider it a song for anyone special that came into your life and taught you life lessons, speaking truth.… Continued →

When Bloodgood’s lead guitarist left the band to go solo, fans of the 80s metal stalwarts weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We probably assumed more heavy metal–at least that’s what I expected. And while there is certainly some hard rock (almost glam metal) at times, The Other Side was much broader in scope. The album showcased Zaffiro’s excellent guitar work, as we’d already become familiar with through three albums with Bloodgood: Bloodgood (1986), Detonation (1987, often hailed as the band’s finest effort), and Rock in a Hard Place (1988).… Continued →

Tantrum of the Muse is a band that can be hard to define, including their lyrics & sound. I would suggest soundwise post hardcore, but with a prog & punk twist. Their label was the same whose roster included early Underoath & Narcissus. After the band’s break up, the members joined other notable bands  such as Hand of Fire & Huntingtons & OnceDead. … Continued →

What They Died for is a rapcore/screamo band comprised of 3 friends from New York, Their CD is in reference to Matthew 16:26. … Continued →

San Diego based pop-punk band Summer Years which features a couple ex-members of Mainsail, just dropped their debut EP titled “You Can’t Live There Forever” and you can find it on all digital networks and streaming platforms now. A music video for the song “Small World” off this new EP can be seen over on ChorusFM here. There is a certain splash of unrelenting nostalgia dripping through every note of the band’s songs and their infectious blend of melody and punk rock energy will surely win over a whole new spectrum of fans.… Continued →

Dallas Taylor and the boys in Maylene And The Sons of Disaster have surprised everyone by posting some info regarding new music and a music video that will drop soon. According to sources here and here, there is even a pic of Dallas Taylor with former Underoath bassist/guitarist, Octavio Fernandez. No exact word yet on when this new music video (or new music itself) will drop, but we will try and keep you updated. Praise God that Dallas is recovering well and that we will be able to hear his massive, thunderous voice once again.… Continued →

Homeplate’s new EP, “Welcome To Breitenstein” got pushed back a week and is now dropping on January 18th through all Digital networks. This is one EP that you DON’T want to miss! It’s going to rule the scene in 2022 without a doubt. Go give them a follow here and their label here. Make sure to order your physical Homeplate merch right here.… Continued →

The now classic 2000 era Project 86 album, “Drawing Black Lines”, is available for purchase on Vinyl via the band’s own bandcamp page. There are two different color options, and it looks absolutely amazing. Randy, Alex, and Steven are a part of this and secured the rights to the vinyl re-release so it adds an extra layer of coolness. Get your copy right here before it sells out for good.… Continued →

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.

… Continued →

This is my 25th anniversary tribute to albums that released during the year of 1996 (and/or presumed to have released during this particular year). It was a monumental year in underground, indie music and one that was ignited by artists sharing a similar Christian Faith. While the rest of the world was consuming their Michael W Smith, or Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, DC Talk, Amy Grant, Rebecca St. James, Jars of Clay, or even that guy who wrote the Butterfly Kisses song, we on the indie circuit side of things were rejoicing with a newfound optimism.… Continued →

My Top Albums & EPs of 2021… Continued →

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.

… Continued →

7/1- Split were a fast harder edge punk rawk band from Georgia. This SOTD was on a comp from Screaming Giant Records listed as Force Beyond Strength, but was the wrong song. It starts off with a bang on an older gong cymbal which I always though was cool. Anyways this is my fave from them & hope y’all like it also.     … Continued →

Gathering of Souls is an industrial rock band whose producer also started Silverstar, another SOTD I wrote last year. Hope you like it. Their cd title comes from Matthew 6: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: … Continued →

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 →

LikeDavid released 2 full lengths & a few indie singles. I sill speak with vocalist Marc Haley a few times a year. The band helped me through some difficult times in the past. Also check out Suffer To Reach. … Continued →

Manufraqture is reminiscent of Disengage Circle of Dust era. Hailing from Chicago, this industrial band has an interesting stage presence. Check out the live video also I have included. Christian industrial label Flaming Fish picked up the band for one of its comps also. … Continued →

This band consistently releases quality pop-punk that rivals just about anything the general market scene throws our way. Check out At The Wayside’s brand new music video for the song “Lie to Me” which appears on their 2021 EP, “Somewhere Between”, available right now!… Continued →

Following up last year’s big 20 I thought it was only appropriate to continue on with these “anniversary” look back at the past type posts. These are my 20 favorite albums from the year 2001, in the Christian Music realm. Read on to see what albums made the list.… 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 →

Day of Fire was a Tennessee post grunge band. Vocalist Josh Brown has a quasi similar story to Head from Korn. Both realized they had a drug problem & let it go when they came to Jesus. This song is so powerful & I have to turn it up every time I hear it. Jesus will never leave us. Can I get an Amen! … Continued →

Freeto Boat was an awesome punk rock band mixed with ska. Like my previous SOTD for Sick of Change, this one is also a love song. Today I’ll let the sun set, There’s no anger in my heart. Tonight just let the moon rise, Our time won’t be spent apart. Starlight and confessions Of what you mean to me, These twilight conversations they’re helping me to see… What you are in God’s eyes, what you are in mine not a hair too shy of perfect and always just in time.… 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 →