Month: February 2023

This rockabilly band released a couple of albums on Grrr Records back in the 2000s. They remind me of a cross between The Comancheros & Ruby Joe’s Sinking the 8 Ball. Anyways, enjoy. … Continued →

This rarity is a southern rock band from a division of Pamplin records called Mercystreet. I had this cd back in the day. They play southern rock that sound akin to Three Crosses. It seems they came out w/ one more single after this one off called Rise Above which reminds me a tad of Soundgarden. Vocalist Dan Safer also appears to have more in media w/ him even appearing on the NBC show The Voice..   … Continued →

Hailing from the tri-state area of West Virginia/Pennsylvania/Ohio,this metalcore band only released one cassette demo and one split CD with emocore band Pensive. What is interesting about that split–that is, besides being a spectacular release from two very good and rather unique bands–is that both bands featured members that would soon after go on to join the more well-known Zao. Pensive featured Brett Detar and Martin Lunn, as well as other members who joined Detar’s later band The Juliana Theory. Seasons in the Field featured Russ Cogdell on guitar, and future Zao screamer Dan Weyandt.… Continued →

Getting their name from The Pixies, this band was all over the place with their indie rock sound. There’s at least one song from every album that I have enjoyed over the years. Check em out.   … Continued →

Furthermore was an indie hip hop band from Tooth & Nail records. They were very accessible to those who were into rap & rock. Check em out.   … Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Diamonds to Dust – Amidst the Hallowed and Vanquished (Instrumentals)
• Skillet – Dominion: Day of Destiny

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Rock & Metal

• Zahna – Stronger Than Death

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This folk-punk band was formed as a sort of atypical worship band. Their purpose was to create “authentic church music devoid of hype.” Hailing from Pittsburgh, the band features members of Last Hope and Timbre, its roots firmly embedded in the punk scene. Their one and only album was self-released in 2010, but saw a digital re-release in 2019 via Zap Records (home of 2 Minute Minor, Voice of the Mysterons, October Bird of Death, and others). I reviewed the album in 2019, here, and really enjoyed it.… Continued →

So apparently this band is releasing new music & there are other articles here on IVM on it.. Saw Orion back in July & TT him for a brief time. Pretty standup guy. Anyways, enjoy.   … Continued →

Hearkening way back to 1990, Rob was actually in Petra for a brief stint. He recorded several solo albums & worked with Margaret Becker & Kansas. Most of this stuff is int he AC realm, but this SOTD has really stood out to me. Think about how faith works in our everyday lives & focus on areas where we can see God really working in our lives. Susie works in a restaurant Dreams all day ’bout the things she wants Like security And somebody to hold her tight Now five years back she was on a roll She came to Jesus, He saved her soul But she fell away When things didn’t go just right Now she’s wondering ‘Bout that empty feeling in her life Once you taste the truth Nothing else will satisfy You might have to go through fire You might have to walk through water You might have to stand Where nobody else has stood You might have to go through fire But that can bе good Billy worked in a factory Till he lost his sight back in ’83 In an accident Somеbody else’s fault Now anybody could understand How that could make you a bitter man But he’s not that way He’s thankful for what he’s got He says “What I’m looking forward to I don’t need these eyes to see I’ve got a treasure up in heaven And it’s waiting there for me!”… Continued →

Dr. Onionskin has a long and somewhat interesting history. Born Shane Ries, he had a brief career in the 80s in mod and power pop bands (a fact I only recently discovered), but first came into CCM prominence with the oddly effective project Hymn Jim’s Gospel Gems (1995), which fused traditional hymns with dance music. He re-branded a year later as Dr. Onionskin and changed styles to acid jazz, releasing the quirky, instrumental and semi-brilliant Split Pea Soup. Then in 1996 he changed styles again, though still building on jazz-electronica fusions, and emerged with Bully and oh my gosh, what a record!… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Colony House – The Cannonballers

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Hip-hop stalwarts Illect Recordings, brainchild of Josh Niemyjski (Sphere of Hip Hop, Illect, Uprok), have released a brand new playlist on YouTube of all instrumental, jazzy, turtablist hip-hop. Great for studying, background sounds, or even to practice your own rhyming skills over the top of the beats. Check it out below.… Continued →

Gerwin Koudijs aka Tresice is an EDM artist from the Netherlands. I have been following his career for many years & one can even find him on Twitter! I played this song under the moniker of DJ Whosoever when used to DJ live with Nuklier Productions. His music is starting to be a rarity as he generated a lot through the old mp3.com platform … Continued →

This catchy song is an outstanding pop punk classic. They hail from South Carolina in the same town as Islander & unfortunately dropped off the “Christian” band label. Also check out The Jellyrox which is a side project from their lead vocalist. … Continued →

Rock & Metal… Continued →

Love this song. So heavy & so meaningful. The band goes by just Forerunner now & I play them on my Ripper Radio show. Check out these lyrics. Why do I always give in, turn to the things that torment my soul, when will I finally submit, and give You all I am, Lord break me and rip these chains that always hold me down, tears from my eyes as I can’t resist, I am once again, once again, being taken away in the wrong direction, Lord take me away from this bondage, from this bondage, I don’t want to be a slave to this world, I want to run away from the pain but I can’t, I do not need you, I do not need you any more, I need to stand my ground, and look you in the face, I need to stand my ground, and put you in your place, I need to stand my ground, my King is here, and look you in the face, He lives in me, I need to stand my ground, whom shall I fear, and put you in your place, my King is here as I point to my chest, He is alive in me, no more will I succumb to darkness I am set free, my chains are broken, I am set free, because my Savior went to the cross and died for me [x2], I am released from this bondage, and the enemy tried to bury me, but I won’t, I won’t, back down, and I will look him in the face, no, you weren’t from the bottom, you were sent from Hell, you sent to bring me down [x2] and now I send you back to hell.… Continued →

90s alternative. People either love it or hate it. Despite the excesses of the genre, or the just plain slackness of it, I still love it. 3 Car Pile-Up was never going to win any awards for their musical contributions–unless it was maybe the high school talent show. Their one and only album is raw, somewhat sloppy, and even kind of juvenile in its approach to both music and lyrics. However, that is exactly what I love about it. If you can’t relate to the lyrics of “Dweeb” then I’m not sure you actually lived through American Christianity in the 80s/90s: When I was in grade school, my friends made fun of me They used to call me stupid names, like “Jesus Boy” or “Freak” But I knew come Sunday, that I’d be number one ‘Cuz I knew all my verses, and I would get some gum I’m a dweeb!… Continued →

Disciple is a mainstay in modern rock. They have been around since 1992 & even did some arena rock before they went to blues & rapcore & settling on hard rock. I have seen them twice, once w/ their By God album & the most recent last July. I would definitely recommend seeing them live. Here are my personal 3 faves.          … Continued →