News
August 8, 2021
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 Release Punishing New Album That Will Ignite Your Stereo in an Explosive Ball of Flames
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 →
Meadows - The Call (New Song + Album Pre-Order)
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 →
HeavyMind - Hold Me (Debut Song)
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 →
HolyName - My Way (New Song)
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 →
for KING & COUNTRY - RELATE (New Song and Video)
for KING & COUNTRY just released a brand new song titled “RELATE” which you can watch the music video for, below. Check out the new song on all digital networks now. Album IV is coming!… Continued →
Phinehas - Eternally Apart (New Song)
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 →
August 7, 2021
Song of the Day: Circle of Dust - Prayers of a Dead Man
Circle of Dust, aka Brainchild, aka Scott Albert, aka Klayton, aka Celldweller, aka a plethora of other names has been around since the early 90s. I have been following Scott’s music career since then & receive emails from him at least bi-weekly. The guy is a mastermind, but a jack of all trades, master of none (if you catch my reference!). Currently he works a lot with FixT records which basically does a lot of “industrial” artists & makes tons of video games soundtracks. This reincarnation was I believe his foray into the secular industry as was using the Brainchild moniker when it was released as the disc titled Mindwarp on R.E.X.… Continued →
August 6, 2021
Song of the Day: L.S. Underground - The Fold
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 →
August 4, 2021
Song of the Day: Blackball-Wither
Blackball is the reincarnation of Precious Death which was a funk alternative grunge band that had a decent following back in the 90’s. Their first LP 1996’s Super Heavy Dreamscape was a very appropriate name for the album as was a lot heavier in tone than their follow-up. Vocalist Chris Scott has a very distinct voice that seemed to crossover from grunge to funk very easily. Hope you like this song as it remains one of my faves to this day. And happy birthday to my sister who is an outstanding wedding photographer!… Continued →
August 3, 2021
August 2, 2021
Song of the Day: Wage War -Grave
Wage War is a newer band in my collection. Disclaimer-They seem to be a quasi-Christian band as has had not too much recognition in the Christian market, but I have seen their videos that hint at the subject. Other bands that fall in the quasi category are Memphis May Fire, The Devil Wears Prada, Gideon, etc… Anyways, this song is so darn catchy & just happens to be one I can relate to. Just know that in Jesus, anyone can change if they let the Holy Sprit lead.… Continued →
August 1, 2021
New Music: July 30, 2021
Rock & Metal
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 NathaliĆ© – The Remix
- Sidewalk Prophets – I Believe It Now (Alternate Versions) (EP)
- Tre’ Mutava – The Movies
- 7eventh Time Down – I’m Free (EP)
- Zach Winters – Other Side (A) (EP)
- 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.
July 31, 2021
Song of the Day: Fireflight - What I've Become
Fireflight is one of the bands that each cd they have come out out with, there is always one that stands out the most to me. Dawn Michell’s voice is just so Today’s SOTD is just that coming from 2009’s For Those Who Wait. Also, check out the original version of Serenity The Call, You Decide, Stay Close, We Are Alive. I have not heard much of their latest so I will be checking it out soon. This song is literally the one on my Facebook page it is so good.… Continued →
July 30, 2021
Song of the Day: Velour 100 - Toledo
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 →
July 29, 2021
REVIEW : Ischus - Blessed Assurance
Troubling times call for “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” alike. And man, are times troubling. Thankfully, Ischus’ six-track debut satisfies all of these qualifications. From acoustic, folk-adjacent arrangements to lofi songs to whatever the sonic expanse of “My Soul Belongs to Thee” might be called. If you’re looking for the quick hits, fans of My Epic’s Broken Voice will appreciate this collection of restrained-yet-lyrically-rich tracks.
Ischus begins with a unique rendition of “Doxology” – there’s in inherent irony in that Pauline doxologies typically end their respective letters.… Continued →
July 28, 2021
Song of the Day: The Call - All About You
I never did listen to this band when they were around, but caught up to them much later sad to say. This song has an awesome groove & is basically a worship song as shown by the lyrics below. The band got some mainstream success ban in the day when their song I Still Believe (which was also covered by Russ Taff) was in the vampire movie The Lost Boys Listed also is a live version just because 80s live videos are always a treat!
I was never too wild about big shots
I was never too calm about pain
I wasā
neverā
too cool aboutā
the heat
But I’m [burning again?]… Continued →
July 27, 2021
July 26, 2021
Song of the Day: Dimestore Prophets - Hitler's Girlfriend
I remember seeing this band in Missouri I believe back in 1994 era.Ā The band signed my t-shirt which was the Love Is Against The Grain cd cover. The band released a few songs on Christian modern rock radio back in the 90’s, but today’s SOTD stood out for obvious reasons.
… Continued →
July 24, 2021
Protect Your Heart - Closer To The Grave (Official Music Video)
New pop-punk band Protect Your Heart from the Los Angeles, California area, are back with another new song. This new song is titled “Closer To The Grave” which is one of the best things to come out of the pop-punk scene at this current moment. Check out the song and music video, below. “Closer To The Grave” is available now on all digital networks!… Continued →
Lightworker - Crawling in the Dark (Hoobastank Cover)
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 →
Jason Dunn - Billy Enforcee (New Music Video and Song)
Jason Dunn is without a doubt, BACK! If this new song “Billy Enforcee” and it’s accompanying music video is any indication of what’s to come, well then we are in for one of the best new releases of 2021. Check out the music video for the new song, below. The hard charging and heavy new pop-punk rock song definitely shares a lot in common with the first couple Hawk Nelson albums before the band went the CCM route without Jason. Download the song via bandcamp right here.… Continued →
The Protest - Show Up To The Showdown (Music Video)
The Protest just put out their brand new, firery music video for the song called “Show Up To The Showdown” and its a lesson in wild west vengeance. Well not really but it is a really cool new music video for a song that is just as amazing. Check out the music video below and find the song on all digital networks now.… Continued →
Christafari Release Documentary Film, New Album, and Music Video
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 →
Song of the Day: These 5 Down: Hymn
These 5 Down was an amazing nu-metal band that sounded akin to Korn. Their first cd was played so many times when I was stationed in the military. I even ran into a guy one time wearing the band’s t-shirt & we have been friends ever since. For like 20 some years now. The band members have stories to on their coming to Jesus so be sure to do a search on it sometime. This song Hymn was chosen simply because of its music & lyrical content as “All in the name of Jesus I bind you up” you don’t find everyday.… Continued →
July 23, 2021
New Music: July 23, 2021
Rock & Metal
Pop & CCM
- Kevin Hackett – AWAKE AFTER MIDNIGHT (EP)
- NICE. – HOW CAN YOU SLEEP IN A TIME LIKE THIS? (EP)
- Ross King – Unfinished
- JIMMY ROCK – Summer Vibes (EP)
- Jhonny Vergel – Born Again EP
- 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.
Song of the Day: Besieged - The Years Between
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 →
July 21, 2021
Song of the Day: Vengeance Rising - Bishop of Souls
Today’s SOTD recollects a simpler time when the Christian metal industry were not overrun with way to many artists to find the time to listen to. I think I bought Released Upon The Earth & Tourniquet’s Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance & Galactic Cowboys’ Space In Your Face the same day at a used record store in my hometown. I have heard of the band’s breakup & all the stories about Roger Martinez & I was one of the one whom he contacted with his play script that he wrote that was very unchristian, but this SOTD lyrics read like a worship song which is what we need to hear.… Continued →
July 19, 2021
My Top Ten Albums & EPs of April-June 2021
Continuing my top ten lists I started three months ago, I give you my top ten albums of April-June 2021:… Continued →
Song of the Day: Secret & Whisper - XOXOXO
Formed from the ashes of another Canadian band, Stutterfly, this band released 2 LPs that anyone who is into modern rock should own. Point blank. This band separates itself from the myriad of a modern rock band due its guitar tones & vocalist Charles Finn vocal stylings. Every single song they have done I like so don’t miss this way too short-lived band.
… Continued →