Anthem For The Outcast Review: Praise-filled Hard Rock| Posted February 12, 2021 What You Need To Know Rock band The Midnight Wedding's debut full-length album, Anthem For The Outcast, was produced by Disciple's guitarist Josiah Prince. It features several big-name guest vocalists, such as Disciple's lead vocalist Kevin Young, as well as Fireflight's lead vocalist Dawn Michele. At 15 songs in total, including an intro and outro, there is plenty of music for rock and contemporary fans.
What It Sounds Like This record is roughly a two-thirds split of rock anthems and beautiful nearly-contemporary worship-stylized songs. All rock songs are led by Brandon Trlak, while his wife Caitlin covers backing vocals and leads the softer songs. The rock anthems are soaring and catchy, while emotive. The softer songs are melodic and captivating.
Spiritual Highlights The Midnight Wedding addresses biblical topics head-on all throughout the record. It is refreshing and needed. The band calls out the hypocrisy in others ("Enforcers") and in ourselves ("What I Preach"). Regret and sin struggles are addressed in songs like "I Swear" and "Walk Through Hell." The gospel is presented well in "Hate's Door" as it takes the perspective of John 4 (the woman at the well). Anthem For The Outcast has no shortage of quality source material and great songwriting.
Best Song A strong case could be presented for one of the fantastic singles such as "I Swear" and "Enforcers" being the best song, especially with Kevin Young on the latter. However, "What I Preach" is truly a standout. It has a similar tone as the aforementioned songs. But, it takes an inward approach to hypocrisy, confessing "I say I love You/Then I curse Your name..." and asking "Can I practice what I preach?/Can I fall down on my knees?" The deep song challenges us all. Worth noting on the softer side of the music, "Set Me Free" is incredible.
Bottom Line Anthem For The Outcast skillfully showcases how to balance the dichotomy of hard-hitting rock n' roll and expressive praise music--there is no compromise. You'd be hard-pressed to find a song you don't relate to here. Maybe it's the length overall, but I found that a couple of the songs blended too closely together, losing some individuality. Ultimately, The Midnight Wedding firmly establishes their merit among names like Disciple and Fireflight with Anthem For The Outcast.
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