Tag: 2 Corinthians 10:5

Ravenhill is a soulful blues rock tinged band hailing originally from southern Illinois. Nearest mainstream bands would be The Black Keys or The Ranconteurs. My son Tyler & I had the pleasure of chilling with vocalist Joshua Clifton a few times locally at a music festival called Audiofeed & seeing them live.  To be honest, there are several great songs I could have chosen with this band, but another album review was done on Soul & Midnight Gold deserves some recognition! Anyways have fun with this rocker that eludes to our freedom in Jesus as only He has the cure for our sin-His forgiveness by His death burial & resurrection.… Continued →

Indiana’s Richard Wayne Mullins is a vital part of the Christian music industry. Besides penning & performing one of the best worship songs of all time, “Awesome God”, he also was a very talented musician who was proficient with the piano & the dulcimer which can be heard on many of his songs. His first couple albums did not gather much radio play, but The World As Best As I Remember It Vol 1 & 2 garnished many songs heard all over the radio at the time.… Continued →

Arkansas’ Common Children reminded me plainly of a cross between The Prayer Chain & Skillet. Why, might you ask? Well, CC has some serious ethereal atmospheric music akin to The Prayer Chain. And Skillet due to the obvious grunge influences and the three male band members when they first formed. Skywire came out in 1996 as did Skillet’s S/T. As far as the band’s name, well Jesus Freak Hideout’s site interview vocalist Marc & it is “because we are all common children in the sense that we all live together, in a broken world, in need of grace—beggars attempting to tell other beggars where to get bread.”… Continued →

Peoria, Illinois’ Must Build Jacuzzi are a throwback to 90s era ska music. Having seen them multiple times, I can say they are most def a fun band to catch live. My son had fun the last time back in 2019 when he learned how to crowd surf at 12 years old! They also released a 2018 album right here on our own IVM. Check this SOTD & try to stop you head from bobbin’. … Continued →

The Sprinkle brothers are very talented & have been very busy in the music world. Just think about all the bands the 2 of them have played in: Poor Old Lu, Demon Hunter, Rose Blossom Punch, Fair, Blank Books, The World Inside, The Wrong Mind, Serene, A Cold Vein & Transparent, amongst many others. Although most projects Aaron has worked on lean to the alt-rock genres, 2017’s Escaping Light had a synthpop indie flair. Elle Puckett from Poema & Eisley guest vocals on this SOTD.   … Continued →

Celtic punk-now that’s a genre one doesn’t hear much of!  But, Chi-town’s Ballydowse does it well. along with other genres such as oi, folk, klezmer & aboriginal. The band rose from the ashes of one of the best hard punk bands ever Crashdog & released 2 LPS produced by Steve Albini. Their lyrics dealt with many social issues that were taboo in the “Christian” music industry. They used many instruments besides the normal guitar, bass, drums including the mandolin, didgeridoo, moorhen, bodhran, whirligig, concertina, fiddle, bagpipes & bullroarer.… Continued →

L.S.U. has been around since the mid 80’s & have had several monikers including Lifesavers, Lifesavers Underground & L.S. Underground. They have also attacked several genres including, alternative, new wave, indie rock, surf rock & a tad being goth tinged with Michael Knott being the mainstay. Freedom is the first I heard from them from 1994’s Grace Shaker & the lyrics portray an homage to the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus. Hopefully you will like this song as much as I have over the years.… Continued →

Rising from the ashes of 2 other bands (one of which A Past Unknown has been played on a few Christian radio shows, including Ohio’s RadioU), Iowa’s Then It Ends is a metalcore band that has some great melodic stuff. Besides their most awesome energetic Kingdom which has profound lyrics (Someone else already beat me to a quasi review on July 3, 2014!), their rendition of Bethel’s It Is Well is worship music with a metalcore twist. Be prepared to raise your hands in worship to our Saviour Jesus with this one.… Continued →

Bam-this is hands down one of my fave songs of all time from a band that hails from the same town as another great (softer) band Eisley. This ballad just has some type of energy with its musical prowess & soaring vocals & provocative lyrics that makes me contemplate my life & relationship with YHWH. FFAK also still keeps releasing more music it seems like very year & vocalist Ryan has recently joined forces with Chris Wiseman from Currents on the metalcore project Our Eternity (see my review on that January 27, 2021).… Continued →

Now here is a rarety from a Texan industrial rock artist known as Laing. His given name is Trevor (Laing) & his music falls somewhere in between Circle Of Dust & Mortal or even Skillet’s Hey You, I Love Your Soul release. He released 2 LPs 2001’s Groove & 2005’s Ashes. If you like this SOTD, check out my other fave from him the similar The Finish Line. … Continued →

David Meece is a classic singer/songwriter hands down. Known primarily for his piano skills & his many Christian contemporary radio hits, he was also a subtle rocker. I think I remember seeing him on Trinity Broadcast Network’s Fire By Night hosted by Blaine Bartel back in the day.  Today’s SOTD is a bittersweet story of his life growing up & how Jesus was there all along. I think we all can understand that still small voice of Jesus calling for us while we were yet sinners.… Continued →

This band reminds me so much of mainstream’s 5 Finger Death Punch. Hailing from Kentucky, the band incorporates melodic hard rock from a Christian perspective. The band formed in 2009 with 2 members meeting due to the military bringing them to the same area. Being prior military for close to 8 years, this resonated with this reviewer. They have toured with mainstream & Christian bands alike & have great songs such as From The Inside Out (Not the worship song cover) & Still Standing. Check out my fave from them.… Continued →

This Arkansas macabre husband/wife team has finally crossovered to mainstream with their catchy song Bring Out The Dead. Their musical talents seem to have many influences as heard in their many great songs including Try The Swine & Black Heart Hearse (alt-rock) & I Didn’t Come Here To Die (alt-country). This band is on my bucket list (to see live In person that is!). They seem to have high energy shows & wear various masks through them & their music videos. Check out the SOTD (which is in homage to my fascination of arachnids) & also a live quarantined concert below!… Continued →

Kiros (Greek for a moment of divine time) was a Canadian punk influenced modern rock band that had an 11 year career ending in 2013.  It also appears a review was made on their release prior to today’s SOTD on this very website! Today’s SOTD is extremely catchy so check out these lyrics & hilarious video! Careful living Is reckless at the core You trade in sell out Is this what I’ve waited for It’s so inviting Pursuing empty dreams With hearts left behind But I can’t resort to settling When I just want some clarity Cause these blurred lines are all I see Illuminate I can’t afford the price you’ve paid to Recreate But I can’t take this broken state of me These shallow things Don’t help me feel okay It’s wasting my time Instead of walking on the waves I’ve been so resigned To life in black and white But I have this time To add some colour to the sky There’s a conviction, there’s a reason that I’m reaching for Cause in this fading place I can’t help thinking that there so much more … Continued →

Veio is a crossover Oregon band that has a progressive metal sound akin to Tool & Deftones & being a fan of Maynard’s voice, I was happy when I found about this band on another Christian online radio site. Their mainstream song was Flare of Defiance & they have toured with other crossover bands Red & Starset . They formed in 2010 through Craigslist when the 2 originating brothers decided to start a band with their name being inspired by a Da Vinci sketch. Today’s SOTD is in prep for the new album that they are starting to write, but also, check out their cool cover of Filter’s Hey Man, Nice Shot.… Continued →

Pulling from the way back archives, Harvest was an original ministry oriented band from Texas. Comprised of Jerry Williams, Ed Kerr & Paul Wilbur when I first heard of them, their releases appealed to Christian radio big time. Mostly an 80’s band, their discography entailed many early Christian radio hits ranging from the worshipful All That Is In Me to the rocker We’re Gonna Take Hell.  I always dug Jerry’s voice & his charismatic way of leading the audience to see Jesus. A few years I did communicate w/ Ed on social media who was involved with teaching music.… Continued →

There are so many songs I could have chosen from this Californian band that are top notch such as Struck By The Chord, Step Away, Who Loves You More, The Meaning Of It All, etc… I remember being at Central Bible College) in Springfield, MO during a college days back circa 1995 when I first heard the Spill album. I was amazed point blank. I dug their raw sound especially Open House & Free Me. The band split into 2 different bands by the time this song was released.… Continued →

Today’s SOTD from Arkansas’ rock band Jonah33 was a single released during a 2004 campaign called Redeem The Vote that in essence was shooting to let Christian voices be heard during voter registration aimed for youths. This has always been my fave song due to the lyrics which remind me of 2 Chronicles 7:14. Welcome back my friend, It’s good to see your face again I’m glad to see you’re up and feeling fine So many things have changed, There’s a lot of catching up to do You’ve been asleep for quite some time The truth that made us free Is choked with apathy, And there’s a crack in our foundation So hold on, hold on, we’re in For a bumpy ride Our nation’s got a situation, And God gave you a voice So come on, come on, it’s time To make a choice ‘Cuz silence never speaks So God gave you a voice The question now at hand Is “What’s the battle plan?… Continued →

Another holy SOTD that belongs in my top 20 worship releases! Formerly known as Clearview, this hard rock band had some great songs such as Disaster, Wineskin & We’re Not Keeping This Quiet. Also check out the video for Searchlight which features American Sign Language. Hailing from Maryland, the 3 Willet brothers have since disbanded circa 2019. Members are still in the industry leading worship & filing & editing music videos. Check out these worshipful lyrics & the live video. As long as I live, there will be praises upon my lips And all my days will be spent loving You, You are worthy to be praised As long as I live, I will sing to you with endless praise Every knee will bow and tongue confess, that Jesus is Lord Just when I thought that this world was enough You were, you are, and you are to come!!… Continued →

Canadian’s hard rock Daniel Band found its way to my collection via a local pawn shop in my hometown in Illinois back in the early 90s I would guesstimate. My mother used to buy these old totally illegal rips of bands on cassette tape. It seems so weird now that these arena rock bands we thought of as heavy metal back then! My fave bands back then was Petra, Harvest & White Heart & Whitecross & so this band made sense. Between the lyrics & the rocking music, this song has a special place in my top songs ever.… Continued →

Addison Road is a pop/rock Texan band that had a 10 year span of releases. I was drawn to their singer’s (Jenny Chisholm) vocals that stood out among many female fronted bands. The rockier flair is not present though on today’s SOTD which is the last track to their 2008 S/T release. This is in my top 20 worship songs of all time. Check out these worshipful lyrics. I made You promises a thousand times I’d try to hear from heaven But I’d talk the whole time I think I made You too small I’ve never feared You at all, no If You touched my face Would I know You?… Continued →

Doom Metallers Trouble’s debut Psalm 9 release has been out for 30+ years. Imagine that!  Signed by Metal Blade Records, the 1984 album is commonly known as one of, if not the first doom metal releases. They were given the “white metal” moniker because of the obvious Biblical references.  I had a friend who passed recently who hung out with the band back in the day & it was nice to actually meet someone who listened to my “Christian music.” Guitarist Bruce Franklin would go on & join Supershine w/ Dug from King’s X & also release an outstanding industrial album generation-Brutal Reality.… Continued →

Everdown is one of those bands that I heard back in the 90s that quickly rose to the top of my bands that never got old. Their sounds closest mainstream counterpart would be Helmet. The vocalist did not growl or give any guttural sounds & in essence the lyrics are easily understood. Forming in 1992, 1995’s Sicken’s grunge/sludge sound housed personal faves such as Sufferman, Crush & Nation while 1996’s Straining sounded much cleaner w/ greats Unleaded, Flown, One Knuckle Shy, & Seasons In Doubt. This is in the days before Solid State Records when punk, hardcore & alternative bands where thrown in under the Tooth & Nail Records label.… Continued →

This review is in response to a Facebook post I had made a month or so ago on a review I had done on here. The gentleman I had spoke with & I have a lot in common, including our passion for Christian EDM.  Joey Belville & company IMHO brought the fledgling Christian electronic/synthpop rock genre to fruition. Several other artists involved in the genre ie Painted Orange, Code of Ethics, Sheltershed, LZ7, Capital Kings & World Wide Message Tribe, etc… I remember owning Scott Blackwell’s Myx Records release Defend Your Joy back in the mid 90s & I was ecstatic.… Continued →

This is an impromptu review in homage of Carman’s passing. For those who may not know who he is, he was a singer/songwriter/performer whose music was all over contemporary Christian radio in the 80’s & 90’s. He did many ballads, but also dabbled with rock & rap & even kids music. Many of his songs were stories put to music. To get a good overview of his more upbeat stuff from his extensive discography, check out the following songs & today’s SOTD: A Witch’s Invitation, The Champion, God’s Got an Army, Addicted to Jesus w/ DC Talk, Great God, Who’s in the House & Sunday School Rock.… Continued →

Does anyone remember the swing revival back in the early 2000s? Bands such as The Deluxtone Rockets, The Dingees & Denver & the Mile High Orchestra were very common on alternative/rock Christian radio stations. Flight 180 was one such band who went by a couple name derivatives including several lineup changes over the years they were in existence. I think this is another genre that Tooth & Nail innovated in the Christian music industry.  I’m pretty sure they took their name from the Final Destination first film.… Continued →

This review is in response to a Facebook post that I was following on Christian bands that others may have not heard of. This is one of those rare hard to find any info on the web bands that I bring to the IVM table. They seem to have been a side project of former Deliverance members Jim Calvert & Justin DeTie which makes sense considering the release date & Jimmy P Brown producing. I waited for many years before dishing out the funds to buy the Hybrid release on Hour House Records (which from memory was one that dealt with dance music).… Continued →

This review is in response to one of my fave metalcore bands that I just noticed having reached enough popularity to find themselves on Radio & Records Mainstream Rock chart. Other bands who have started in the Christian arena & found their way on the same chart are Underoath, Beartooth, Wolves At The Gate, Love & Death, Chevelle & Skillet to name a few. There are many valid arguments on Christian vs mainstream routes, but my take & honest opinion is that I like the exposure.… Continued →

Children of the Consuming Fire appear to have risen from the southern California Vineyard ministry with their record label housing alt-rock bands such as Asight Unseen & The Violet Burning. This SOTD has a live video you can find on Youtube as well, but was hard to catch the music atmosphere. The band did not catch much airplay that I remember, but with the cool bass line and the driving music, I really dig the band & song name. I think the band had a fun time on this track.… Continued →

Choo Choo Pye (a la The Wait) may have a funny sounding band & album name, but their music reminisces this reviewer of greats such as Midnight Oil, The Call, or Cloud Merchants. Composed of 3 members, the band seems to have hailed from California. The early 90s vibes are definitely there & they achieved Christian radio history by having the highest debut entry by an unsigned artist on the most awesome Pure Rock Report Multi-Format chart. They have a music video for their song U.S.… Continued →