A Powerful Song From an Amazing New Singer | Posted July-30-2024 What You Need to Know
Rachel DeLong is a dynamic singer/songwriter, CCM artist and worship leader. Rachel has been performing for over five years, and has continued to rise while playing at many local and regional music festivals.
Her original songs are an expression of her search to find identity, direction and meaning as a Christian in a secularized world. She wants to encourage youth to go deeper in their faith and to be excited by their relationship with God.
What it Sounds Like
It's hard to believe "That's Who He Is" is the debut release from Rachel DeLong. She sounds like a CCM veteran, and her energetic delivery is addicting, making me want to hear more. She sounds a little like Carrie Underwood with a mix of Janis Joplin--I know those are big comparisons, but I feel she lives up to them.
Spiritual Highlights
The power that comes out from the start of this song is hard to ignore. Rachel has amazing powerful vocals, and an inspirational message to share. While her vocals are strong, your can hear a smile in her voice, the beat is rhythmic, and the instrumentals are on point. It's as though she says, "I'm here, world. My Jesus is King, and I want you all to shout it with me."
Final Words
I've seen Rachel a few times over the years, and she just gets better each time I see her. I love "That's Who He Is" and can't wait to hear what is next from this up and coming artist.
An Evolution of Sound | Posted April-03-2024 What You Need to Know
Saved By Skarletis a Christian hard rock band with metalcore influences hailing from Rhode Island. They were founded and are fronted by twin brothers Nathan and Matt Middleton. Despite each having a full-time job and family, the brothers have been actively creating music and playing Christian Festivals over the last 6 years. The band also consists of Alexander Hare on guitar, and Dallen Shrader on drums. They have a loyal fan base, and continue to grow in popularity with every new release and concert appearance. With melodic tones, aggressive vocals, driving guitar riffs, and faith inspired lyrics, Saved By Skarlet's music and performances deliver a message of hope, high energy, community, and positivity.
Originally known as Rising Ashes, the band consisted of the Middleton brothers and multiple female vocalists from 2012-2016. After several reinventions of the band, they became more serious about their music, and in December of 2016, released their first single "Conquerors." The band produced and released many single tracks from 2015 to 2019, and in 2019 released their first full-length album Out of Darkness.
The band's new name Saved By Skarlet was coined in 2016 by Nate after reading the story of Rahab in the book of Joshua, in which a woman named Rahab helps save two prophets of God. In return, Rahab and her family's lives were spared from the destruction of the sinful city of Jericho, because she hung a scarlet rope out of her window.
The band has been featured multiple music magazines including Pulse Magazine, Rock On Purpose, and The Good News Newspaper. They currently tour throughout New England, New York, and Ohio, and have performed with artists like Skillet, All That Remains, Memphis May Fire, and many more. They have played Capulet Festival, SoulFest, Kingdom Come, River Rock, Connect Fest and continue to expand their footprint.
What It Sounds Like
Saved By Skarlet's latest release Creation and Crisis features three new songs--the title track "Foundation," "Creation and Crisis," "Compass of Guiding Light,"--and two remastered songs, "Black Knight" and "Lie of The Pharisees" which the band previously released over the last two years.
The instrumentals on this latest release are all tight, crisp and at times, edgy. The vocals are the hardest we have ever heard from the band, and it signals the evolution of their music towards a heavier sound. What's also cool about Saved By Skarlet is that they are just as happy to slow down, sing ballads and lead worship songs (a favorite of mine) as they are to scream the lyrics and initiate a mosh pit! This album is on the heavier side and does not feature any ballads or worship. The production quality of this EP is top-notch.
Spiritual Highlights
This EP showcases feelings of frustration and anger, but also points the way to how and who can resolve that anger: Jesus. The lyrics take on the daily struggles of life, heresy, hypocrisy, brokenness, and defeat.
There are plenty of positive messages of salvation and Biblical allusions in this album which add to its appeal and credibility.
One example of this is in their song "Creation and Crisis." Another example is "Black Night," which evokes illustrations in the chorus: "How can I be safe now that You're gone?/There's a black knight riding into the storm/Breaking the chains as we fall to our knees, cover me/ How can I be safe now that You're gone?/ Like a black knight riding into the storm/Hold onto me and rise to defend/Be the hope as we're fighting the dragon again."
At the end of the song they sing, "We held the line, the sword of truth unbroken/We will survive to watch the embers burn."
Best Song
There are a few songs on this EP that could be considered the best. But since I have to pick just one, I would choose "Lie Of the Pharisees." There are many things I like in this song, such as the changes in tempo, the kick bass, the lead vocals, and the screamo portions. This song was well-written and produced, and sounds like a classic headbanging track.
The message of the song is powerful, and not at all subtle. The lyrics address what many believers may be feeling when it comes to the popular preachers of mega churches and televangelists of today. For example the chorus of the song says, "You are not the one to bring the peace/We are the cure to a heart of deceit/Snake bites like fire infect within, 'cuz hammers break bones/but the truth can break a hypocrite."
This EP shows not only the evolution of the band's sound, but also their maturation. I like the harder nature of this one, as it seems to perfectly fit the band. I highly recommend it.
They Still Got It! | Posted March-25-2024 What You Need to Know
Seventh Day Slumber is a Christian rock and metal band from Nashville, Tennessee. The lead singer is Joe Rojas, the drummer is Blaise Rojas, Ken Reed plays bass guitar, and Weston Evans plays electric guitar. They remain among the elite bands that have dominated and shaped the Christian rock scene for over two decades.
The band remains a consistent force in rock radio. They've sold over 500,000 units, charted two Billboard #1 albums, five #1 singles, 14 Top 10 hits, and garnered a Dove Award. Some of their more well-known hits are "Death by Admiration," "From The Inside Out," "Man Down," "Oceans From The Rain," "Inside Out," "Caroline," "Finally Awake," "We Are The Broken," "Wasted Life," "Halos," and "What I've Become."
What It Sounds Like
Seventh Day Slumber's latest release, Fractured Paradise, proves that the band still has it. While this is their 14th studio release, the band's ability to reinvent themselves and produce new bomb tracks continues and is exemplified by this one. Featuring founder and frontman Joe Rojas, this album has all of the meat and potatoes we have come to expect from Seventh Day Slumber while featuring some new ear candy like Magdelene Rose, the drummer's fiancé, and Kellin Quinn, a member of hard rock band Sleeping With Sirens.
The instrumentals are clean and crisp, just as we have come to expect from the band. The album has a heavier metal sound with grunge elements, and the drums take center stage, providing a solid and addictive beat. The overall production quality is exceptional.
Spiritual Thoughts
Overall, the album does a great job of highlighting the world's current issues, such as brokenness, depression, drug and alcohol use, propaganda, false paradigms, and the culture of victimhood.
This album has many biblical undertones that will make your brain perk up and notice. Joe and the company address current events and problems and frame them through biblical principles. One example of this is in the song "Blistering Memories: "These lyrics remind us of the story of the Prodigal Son and what he could have felt like on his journey away from the Father: "So many questions/So many thoughts are going through your mind/Reaching out for answers/Crying out for help you just can't find/The places you've run to/Have left you with tears Inside your eyes/You're in the wrong direction/But not too far to turn and/Come back home."
The song's chorus is: "So leave behind your broken roads and burn the bridges as you go/Through the fire embers glow/Illuminating the impossible/Falling into His arms/That hold you close/Lose control of yourself and let it go/Unfailing love will overflow."
In "Lizards of Malice," the chorus says, "Reptiles preying on the nation/Soon they'll be running out of faces/Tearing the veil/ Exposing the darkness/That's underneath." This sounds very similar to what's written in 2 Thessalonians 2.
Best Song
The variety of styles in this release is impressive. The collaborations s are a nice feature (it's excellent to hear SDS pair up with some female artists). There are many tracks on this album that I could choose for its "Best Song," and it is difficult to pick just one. If I had to pick just one, it would be "My Novocain." As a big fan of SDS for 20 years, it sounds like a classic SDS track that fans have come to know and love. The vocals are tight, meaningful, and catchy, yet not overdone. In under three minutes, the song has me hitting repeat (often).
The song's message is powerful yet subtle. The lyrics address almost every Christian's struggle with their faith. Some highlights are "Is anybody listening?/Can You help me find the pieces/That I'm missing?/I've been crawling in the dark/Tunnel vision/I need stitches/To mend my broken heart/So tell me are You listening?/If You're up there talking/I can't hear it/You don't need to part the sea/I'll take a whisper/Just need to feel it/'Cause I'm trying to believe." Another lyrical highlight is "if I can find my way back to You/then I think I'd be okay/Be okay."
The honesty and seriousness of the lyrics in Fractured Paradise make this album extraordinarily relevant and timely for today's world! Joe Rojas's honesty, integrity, and undeniable street cred are why I believe this one will rise to the top and fast. I love Fractured Paradise, and you will, too.
Reviving Faith Through Rock | Posted February-12-2024 What You Need to Know
Stuart Patti is a singer-songwriter and independent Christian rock musician from Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S. Stuart began playing guitar and singing at age fourteen. Some of his early musical inspirations were 70s pop and classic rock bands and 80s rock bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, the Scorpions, and Def Leopard.
When Stuart came to Christ in 1981, like many new-born Christians, he got rid of all of his secular albums and began buying Christian albums. After attending concerts with various Christian artists like Amy Grant and Phil Keaggy and other artists like Resurrection Band and Servant, he felt a void left by the different genres of music he had grown up with.
And, in the summer of 1982, he walked away from God and his faith. Stuart attributes this primarily to music. "Heavy metal and rock music had a powerful pull on me. I started re-buying all of my old LPs and new ones. I probably amassed about 300 or so vinyl albums in the 80s." Stuart started making music with a band in the fall of 1985, at the age of 20 but was still left feeling unfulfilled. He eventually parted ways with the band members and ultimately gave up playing music altogether.
After a 25-year up-and-down journey with his faith, in 2003, he was faced with a serious personal trial that made him return to God and his faith. This time, he drew closer to the Lord. And since he has been walking in faith with the Lord for 20 years and is producing music that brings him closer to Jesus. This time, he is focusing on the genre that he has always been drawn to and loved.
Since making music with his family in 2021, Stuart has discovered a new source of inspiration for his lyrics. He has had many writing sessions with his family, and they encouraged him to name his new release The Stuart Patti Project. About the name, he says, "Ultimately, it is God's project, but He has many different projects going on, so I thought it would be presumptuous for me to call this 'God's Project.'"
I desire that any songs that come out of this project, first and foremost, would be honoring to our God and His Son, our savior and redeemer, Jesus Christ." The self-titled Stuart Patti Project EP dropped in mid-January 2024 and is available on all major music platforms.
What It Sounds Like
You can get 70's classic rock, 80's heavy metal, and 90's grunge vibes from this EP. It's primarily contemporary rock with undertones of heavy metal and grunge (think alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins).
Spiritual Highlights
Tracks like "Lamb of God" and "Take Heart" have biblical undertones and messages in the lyrics. The tracks "Never Alone," "Trust," and "Legion" are reflective of one's faith and journey to freedom in Christ. They can very quickly serve as the soundtrack to the trials and battles that even Christians deal with from day to day.
Best Song
The five tracks from this debut EP are "Lamb of God," "Take Heart," "Never Alone," "Legion," and my personal favorite "Trust." "Trust" is a catchy song with inspirational lyrics, powerful vocals, and a 90's alt-rock feel (a major plus). I also like the low-key screaming in the background.
I see a lot of potential for this project and the artist: the instrumentals are tight, especially the guitar riffs and drums. The production quality of the tracks is impressive, and the vocals are pleasing to the ears. As this project expands in the future, I would love to see more vocalists added and an old-school ballad or two from them. As first releases go for independent artists, this one does not disappoint.
A Genuine, Authentic, Heartfelt Debut | Posted December-14-2023 What You Need To Know
Ben Fuller is a Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Southern Vermont. He grew up in Southern Vermont on his family's dairy farm working alongside his father where he would pass the time by singing to old classic country tunes.
Sometime between working on the farm and his time in college, Ben picked up a guitar and started singing. Ben struggled with certain aspects of growing up and turned to cocaine and alcohol at a young age. In 2017, he abruptly lost his best friend to a heroin overdose and his entire outlook on life shifted. Motivated to change his life into something better, Ben moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a country singer in late 2018.
A family that he is close with invited him to church one Sunday and as he walked the halls into the auditorium filled with 3,000 people, Ben knew one day he would sing "that kind of music" for the rest of his life.
As evidenced by his lyrics, videos, and commitment to connecting with and ministering to those incarcerated, Ben lives out his new-found relationship with Jesus, desiring to share what God has done for him in turning his life around. Today, Ben lives completely sober, while sharing his story filled with hope, mercy and grace.
This self-titled album is Ben's first full-length release that includes five new songs ("Grace of God," "Man on Fire," "He Got a Hold of Me (feat. Jo Dee Messina)," "If I Got Jesus," and "Testimony." The remaining songs first appeared on his Who I Am EP which was released in July of last year.
What It Sounds Like
Ben has a great lyrical range, which shines both during live concerts and on any of his recorded songs. The album is a lyrical journey of his life (thus far), talking about the lessons he has learned from the hard knocks of life, and his newfound freedom from freshly knowing Jesus as his personal savior.
The melodies on this album are tight, the lyrics are impeccable, and the production quality is perfect. The vocals are crisp, clean, powerful, and heartfelt, yet NOT overproduced! Ben hit a home run with this one, and it is going to be hard to match either the quality or quantity of songs on this perfect debut album. There are touches of Sunday morning sprinkled throughout, with keyboards/piano that are crisp, clean, and intelligently placed in most of the songs. A choir perfectly accompanies Ben at times without overshadowing him, or stealing the stage.
The thing I like most about this album is that when I crank it up a little, it feels like Ben is in the room with me, carefully and sincerely singing his heart out (just like in each of his concerts).
Spiritual Highlights
There are so many biblical truths on this record that it would take another full article just to cover them all! However, here are just a few of the nuggets that can be heard.
On "He Got a Hold of Me," Ben sings "It was at the end of myself, When I cried out for help/It was in the wandering lost, When I stumbled to the cross/And at the lowest place, I met the highest name/Broken and left crawling on my knees, He got a hold of me/Jesus." These lyrics are so powerful and true, that they deserve no additional commentary, nothing can be added to them.
On "If I Got Jesus" Ben sings "If I've got Jesus, I've got all that I could ever need/Take the world away from me, And I'll be ok/If I've got Jesus, There's a hope that's living deep inside/A joy that I could never hide, And a safe place to fall/If I've got Jesus, I got it all." This truth takes some believers an entire lifetime to figure out. Yet, here is Ben, an infant in his walk with the Lord, shining a light on one of the absolute truths of Christianity.
I really appreciate when an album has biblical truths and anecdotes, and this one is filled with them! There are many antidotes to fear, depression, and the lies of this world, and there is no better example of this than the song "But The Cross." I love these powerful lyrics: "They say you're too guilty for His grace/You're too far gone and now you're too late/But the cross says they're wrong/Don't believe the words they say, Let the truth wash them away/'Cause His blood says you're loved/Every lie is bound to leave/When there's nothing you believe but the cross."
Best Song
"He Found Me" is such a great track that highlights the depth of Ben's vocal range and his powerful voice. It also serves as a microcosm of his life's journey, which he can, and does deliver with genuine heartfelt gratitude. I have been lucky enough to see him perform this one live, and watched as he poured his heart out, as tears slowly trickled down his cheeks.
Ultimately, the message that this song delivers resonates with any person who has ever experienced hard times or personal failure. It also lays out the truth for anyone who does not know Jesus personally, that Jesus found us–the sinners–and came to our rescue, and that there is nothing we could ever do to "find" Jesus. This song extends a gentle hand to non-believers and invites them to join us in experiencing the true meaning of life, peace, rest, and gratitude, even during the storms of life.
It is hard for me to offer an unbiased review of this album, because I have been a huge fan of Ben since the very first time I met him, and saw him perform in person. If you have ever seen him in person, you know that he is a big humble teddy bear, very friendly, and 100% genuine. He has a huge heart for God and people. I have been fortunate to see him in concert twice so far and can attest to the fact that he puts every ounce of his energy and being into belting out each song. He is one of those rare artists who are just as good in person as they are on their recorded releases. I have yet to be disappointed by anything Ben sings or releases. This album is no different. You're going to want to download this debut, and add it to every playlist you manage!
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