CDs (Rock)

P.O.D. were perhaps unfairly lumped in with the "rap-rock" pack prevalent on the radio and MTV at the dawn of the millennium. While the group certainly didn't avoid the occasional hip-hop or funk influence, their sound tended to hew closer to the kind of spiritually infused, reggae-tinge hardcore of Bad Brains. WHEN ANGELS AND SERPENTS … (More)

While Pillar honed their trademark modern rock sound, the world changed around them. Rock fans in 2008 no longer sought the next Hoobastank, but instead had gravitated to the comfortable, family-friendly appeal of DAUGHTRY and Nickelback. As a result, real rock acts either found a new way to package themselves or became yesterday's trend. … (More)

On its 2006 release, THE RECKONING, the Christian heavy-rock act Pillar offers up another hard-charging set that goes for general spiritual themes rather than blatantly praise-oriented lyrics. Although the Oklahoma-based group adds a little "screamo" edge to the mix, the album largely consists of straightforward, guitar-laden alt-metal, … (More)

On their latest opus, And the Rest Will Follow, Project 86 has left behind conceptualizing and forged ahead with a disc about truth, metamorphosis, and faith. With this release, the band hammers each song musically while vocalist Andrew Schwab delivers vocal and lyrical prowess along the way. "Sincerely, Ichabod" kicks off the release in … (More)

From start to finish Project 86 exhibits the kind of musical fury that echoes the angst of the millennium youth. Along the lines of P.O.D., Drawing Black Lines is a testimony to Christendom while musically driving a fist through traditional Christian thinking. Moral lines are drawn beginning to end on this disc. On the cut "One-Armed Man, … (More)

On 2007's RIVAL FACTIONS, the long-running Christian alt-rock ensemble Project 86 unveils a collection of songs that nod to New Wave and post-punk styles, sounds that rarely make their way into the CCM world. Although some tunes find the Orange County, California-based band seemingly intent on becoming the CCM counterpart to the Bravery--most … (More)

This is the fourth album from Orange County rockers Project 86, who started out in 1996 and have had a rather tortured experience in the industry ever since. Having dallied briefly with a major label and left the Tooth & Nail stable in 2003, the band is back together with the latter label in 2004 and back to making the tough, abrasive (but … (More)

While most metal bands who supposedly "rage against the machine" deliver little more than a few fist-pumping choruses, Project 86 savagely attacks the hypocrisy of the music industry on Truthless Heroes. A Christian band making a significant statement on the state of musical integrity? Sure enough, this biting concept album is a … (More)

Deriving from a variety of influences such as Muse, Chevelle, Blindside and Linkin Park, Red brings a unique blend of heavy guitars, intense string arrangements and dynamic vocals.They are quickly gaining fans with an exceedingly intense live show every bit as compelling as their debut cd. Already touring heavily in the mid-west and west coast, … (More)

GRAMMY-nominated rock band Red’s second album, Innocence & Instinct (Feb. 2009), is a primal and provocative look into the dark and sometimes seemingly hopeless “fight inside” each one of us, told through the powerful sphere of the band’s hard-hitting, intense music. “Innocence” is where we all begin. … (More)

Includes 4 Bonus tracks, Death of Me music video, making of video documentary, exclusive photo gallery and a 12-page expanded booklet. GRAMMY-nominated rock band Red’s second album, Innocence & Instinct (Feb. 2009), is a primal and provocative look into the dark and sometimes seemingly hopeless “fight inside” each one of us, … (More)

Leave it to those crazy kids in Relient K to aim for the title of "longest EP ever" with The Bird and the Bee Sides, easily the most ambitious ancillary collection the band has assembled thus far. The disc was released at a time when the quintet's label, Gotee Records, dissolved its partnership with EMI, which owned a minority stake in … (More)

At times sophisticated, redeeming, and preposterously silly, Relient K crafted a masterpiece of punk-based power pop on Five Score and Seven Years Ago, their fifth album in -- guess how long. The quintet's mature yet playful fare fell far from the fleeting superficiality that has plagued dozens of sound-alike groups. Frontman Matt Thiessen once … (More)

Nothing has the power to move people like a song and no form of music is more profoundly energizing and mobilizing than rock & roll.  Combine the musical power of rock and the passion of the hymns millions grew up singing in churches all across America and you get Rock of Ages, a 3 CD collection of some of the most treasured hymns done … (More)

On its 2008 sophomore album, LOVE AT THE CORE, the Christian punk-pop act Run Kid Run offers up an emotive set of tunes that subtly nods to its collective faith. Often recalling peers such as Stellar Kart and Hawk Nelson, the Illinois-based group excels at energetic and melodic songs, as exemplified by the hard-driving "Rescue Me" and … (More)

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Guitarists Wes Willis and Kevin Huguley formed Rush of Fools at Auburn University in 2005 with a lineup that eventually included guitar/keyboard player J.D. Frazier, drummer Jamie Sharpe and bass guitarist/vocalist Jacob Chesnut -- all Alabama natives. The band gained quick notoriety despite constant references to their own humility and … (More)

WONDER OF THE WORLD is the second album by alternative CCM quintet Rush of Fools. Building on the sound of their 2007 debut, these 11 powerful, earnest songs sound heavily influenced by the likes of U2 and Coldplay as well as their CCM forebears. Particular highlights include the title track and the impassioned opener, "There Is Nothing."

Pop with a bit of bite, so it's not confused with the Britneys of the world. There are countless artists who could fit under this wide umbrella come the early 21st century, and the Battle Ground, WA-based quartet Ruth is certainly one such band. Although the band formed only two years before their full-length debut, 2007's Secondhand Dreaming, … (More)

Having evolved from power pop to heavier rock back to melodic modern fare, Sanctus Real blend the styles of their previous two efforts on The Face of Love. The quartet takes listeners on a journey to a sonic realm of introspection, restlessness, and unresolved pondering as only they can do. If you swirled together Switchfoot's The Beautiful … (More)

After the Canadian alt-rock ensemble Stutterfly and its singer, Chris Stickney, parted ways, the group morphed into Secret & Whisper, recruited new vocalist Charles Furney, and subsequently issued GREAT WHITE WHALE. Revealing the influence of both emo and metal, Secret & Whisper doesn't fully align itself with either style, resulting in a … (More)

On 2007's FINALLY AWAKE, the Christian heavy-rock act Seventh Day Slumber offers up more hard-hitting songs about redemption. Led by charismatic frontman Joseph Rojas, a former criminal and drug addict, the group excels at emotive anthems that focus on the changing power of faith, as revealed the majestic "Awake" and the pensive … (More)

The Texas-based Christian-rock band Seventh Day Slumber hones its alt-metal sound on PICKING UP THE PIECES by working with the Creed template and giving it a bit more of an edge. Vocalist Joseph Rojas lends a charming sincerity to his post-grunge croon, enhancing the group's anthemic riffs and solid rhythms with real emotion and redemptive motifs.

RESCATAME is a complete re-recording of Seventh Day Slumber's 2005 album ONCE UPON A SHATTERED LIFE, with all the lyrics performed in Spanish this time. Group leader Joseph Rojas, whose early experiences as a drug addict on the mean streets of Dallas inspired his band's paradoxically positive worldview, speaks fluent Spanish, and he translates his … (More)

THIS IS MY HEART, the debut by emo-tinged Christian alternative rockers Since October, starts with the brief, scene-setting "Emily" before swinging into the heavier attack of "My Heart" and "Beautiful." The rest of the album continues in this style, each impassioned song delivered with the right mix of bravado and … (More)

Like contemporaries P.O.D. and Pillar, Skillet plays a bone-shaking, completely uncompromising brand of nu-metal that upon first glance offers very little indication of the group's evangelical Christian beliefs. Musically, the band plows some of the same ground as melodic neo-grunge groups such as Nickelback and Trapt, yet adds a conviction, raw … (More)

This is a melodically stunning record in which instrumentation strikes the disc's first chord. "Rebirthing" is a grand opening statement. Guitarist Ben Kasica cooks a delectable platter of tasty lead fills that are accompanied by orchestral tones all over the disc. The same is true of the title track, "Comatose." Here the band … (More)

Skillet's eighth studio album, Awake, recorded with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson, is set for an August 25, 2009 release. The album will contain 12 tracks, including 'Hero' and 'Monster' which were added to their live set during their Comatose Tour 2009.

Skillet's eighth studio album, Awake, recorded with Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson, is set for an August 25, 2009 release. The album will contain 12 tracks, including 'Hero' and 'Monster' which were added to their live set during their Comatose Tour 2009.

Beauty in the Broken is still a praise & worship version of alterna-CCM. These (really) young men write gorgeously crafted songs, perfect for use in a modern church, and for being embraced by anyone who isn't afraid of their message. Granted, not all the lyrics are profound, but they are working in a particular medium and they're not supposed … (More)