Month: July 2024

This indie experimental rock band is not exactly my cup of tea, but they do have at least 2 things going for them. Their sound features a full band including many different instruments. The 2nd is one of the band members joined the band Fun. which became immensely popular. Anyways, I have always dug this SOTD.     … Continued →

This Netherlands EDM artist is still making music today. I have a few of his older stuff that is very hard to find & have uploaded what I have to YouTube.   … Continued →

I’ve been a fan of Starflyer 59 since the affectionately titled “Silver” (officially self-titled) released in 1994. So when offered the chance to interview Jason Martin in advance of their new album Lust for Gold, I jumped at the chance. Always known for being brief in interviews, he still managed to be substantial in his correspondence. LH: The response to the new single “909” has been incredible so far, with many people commenting how the sound hearkens back to 90s-era SF59 with the later style of vocals.… Continued →

I’ve been following this band for several years now. This Beatles cover has found it way onto mainstream charts & as of the time of this writing (24 July 2024) is sitting at 65/100 which isn’t too bad for one of the first concept progressive hard rock “Christian” bands to have made it this far. Check out their whole catalog that goes back to 2001.   … Continued →

Legendary hardcore band Focal Point, from Northern California, is well-known not so much for the music they created (tragically), but for the groups that had their origin in the quintet. Training for Utopia, Demon Hunter, Nyves, and Low and Behold all trace their origins back to Focal Point at least in part. As important as those connections are, it’s a shame that too few actually remember the music of Focal Point, as it’s probably my favorite of all the aforementioned. They arrived on the scene late in the “new school hardcore” movement of the early 90s as hardcore was becomingly increasingly more metallic, and yet hadn’t fully shifted into metalcore, which would happen a year or two after Suffering of the Masses dropped.… Continued →

Velvet Blue Music Release emotionally Charged, nostalgic Short Film for the brand new song “909”, from Southern California Indie Rock legends, Starflyer 59 (Check it out below). This beautiful short film pulls to the front all the nostalgic longing felt in the song and lots of easter eggs for those of you paying attention. There is so much emotion felt in this this short film that I literally had tears streaming down my cheeks towards the end when the scenes drop into full color and the lead character finds meaning in his current life with his wife (and family).… Continued →

Los Angeles, CA. based pop-punk band Heart Like War just dropped a brand new music video for their song “Bait ‘N’ Switch”. Check out the song and music video, below.… Continued →

Check out the brand new song and music video from Fit For A King titled “TECHNIUM” and featuring Landon Tewers of the band The Plot in You. The music video is much more like a movie and it’s quite well done. Give it a listen and watch, below.… Continued →

Resurrected Divinity Lycanthropy II (Broken Curfew Records) For the uninitiated, Lycanthropy II is essentially a deluxe reissue of the Lycanthropy 4-song EP, but with an additional 5 bonus tracks extending the release to a full-length. Several of the bonus tracks are covers from a wide variety of bands, making this an interesting album all the way around. The album wastes no time getting started. “Suffer With” comes right out of the gate with blastbeats and growls. No lengthy intros needed here. This is old-fashioned death/grind here with lots of tempo changes—alternating superfast blastbeats with slowed-down sludge riffs, and then occasionally incorporating both into a singular section by taking the rhythm section double-time.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Avery Pkwy – wiN (ME) ovEr [Single]
• Chives McAlister – Running After You [Single]
• Colony House – When I Was Younger (10 Years Later)
• Common Noble – Feel The Rush [Single]
• Fallstar – Rooftops [Single]
• Gable Price and Friends – Heaven Closes Doors
• Grave Robber – The Cellar Sessions
• Starflyer 59 – 909 [Single]
• Stryper – Loves Symphony [Single]
• Stryper – Grateful [Single]
• Then It Ends – Intentions [Single]

Pop & Alternative

• Andrea Hamilton – Fine Lines [EP]
• Bien – these are the days [Single]
• Xander Sallows, GLADDEN – RICOCHET!

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This is an innovative band that at least started in the Christian industry & several of their songs found their way onto “Christian” radio/charts/comp cds. Here are 2 of my faves. And isn’t that an awesome snake they are holding!!!     … Continued →

One of the elders of the Christian indie scene, John J. Thompson, has written a new book. Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville will be the third title from the author, and his first as a novel. Thompson had this to say about the book: This story is about how music brings a diverse community of characters together – after some profound personal and community tragedies – to accomplish something miraculous when they least expect it. It’s based upon people I have known and pieces of stories I have heard, and is set right here in the community I have called home for over 17 years.… Continued →

The guys in No Lost Cause are currently working on new music which will be the follow up to their fantastic ska-punk full length that came out 3 years ago, “Take 2”. That album was the perfect combination of punk rock, ska upbeats, hard hitting drumming, and plenty of “horns” to go around. It was just an all around fun record with plenty to please even the most skeptic of skeptics. So get SKAready for some new No Lost Cause coming at you very soon.… Continued →

A brand new track from Los Angeles, CA. based pop-punk/easycore band, Protect Your Heart has just dropped. The song is titled “The Devil You Know” and it’s definitely one of their best so far which says a lot considering ALL of their songs RULE! You can catch them on the next IVM Compilation “Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 4” in October. Check out the song visualizer, below.… Continued →

In what seems to be a stacked year for incredible releases from Southern California’s own – Velvet Blue Music, comes a surprise release most of us weren’t expecting and that is a new EP From Neon Horse titled “Habit of Creature”. The release is now available for pre-order from Velvet Blue Music right here. Make sure you order the upcoming album from Starflyer 59, “Lust For Gold”, while you are on the site. Who here is excited for new Neon Horse as well as Starflyer 59?… Continued →

The much loved, classic indie rock band from the Pacific Northwest known as POOR OLD LU, have just begun a kickstarter campaign for the Vinyl Reissue of their now classic album – “Straight Six”. You can contribute to the campaign and check out several different reward levels including a special listening party when it’s all done. Click here for the kickstarter.… Continued →

Burnt Toast Vinyl will be pressing the classic Element 101 album, “Stereo Girl” on vinyl for the very first time. The album was originally recorded in May of 2000 at The Blasting Room in Colorado and produced by Bill Stevenson, Stephen Egerton, and Jason Livermore. This album has been remastered from the original analog tapes by Jason Livermore. Stereo Girl is being pressed on 180 gram vinyl and available in two limited variants – Jersey Shore Blue & Pink Noise. The album artwork was redesigned by Matt Traxler and includes rare photos from the studio.… Continued →

This new oi/street punk band from Thumper Punk records is a great band akin to Hanover Saints & the like. Their lyrics are very anthemic for our Christian faith. HM has a great write up oon them if you want to know more here: https://heavensmetalmagazine.com/index.php/2024/06/17/lambs-and-lions-release-hymns-of-grace/ Check out some of the song’s lyrics below Sola Fide, by faith we stand, Sola Gratia, by His grace, not by human hand. Solus Christus, Christ alone, Soli Deo Gloria, to God be the glory, the cornerstone! No indulgence bought, no penance earned, Just the blood of Christ, the tide has turned.… Continued →

So I’ve been on an industrial kick lately. The following site is a great tool to find out more on the subject complete with tons of artists who have delved into the sub-genres: https://web.archive.org/web/20110915162856/http://automatapedia.com/index.php?title=All_Bands .  Anyways, Judean Radiostatic is my pick this time around. I personally found out about the project through the defunct website FreeRock1. Check out their other songs The Horsemen Ride & Valley of Bones. They (Melinda & Carlos) also do a cover of Rich Mullin’s Awesome God. Also, check out Richard’s Youtube channel as he is well versed in all things Christian industrial.… Continued →

Most of us first heard sintax.the.terrific as a member of hip-hop supergroup Deepspace5, a massive rap cypher featuring members of Mars Ill, Labklik, The Pride, and Ill Harmonics. The group’s debut hit stores in 2001 via Uprok Records (the hip-hop sublabel of Tooth & Nail Records). sintax’s first solo album released in 2006 for Illect Recordings, interestingly enough, run by the former head of the short-lived Uprok, Josh Niemyjski. That is, of course, if we don’t count his 2003 indie release. What’s cool about “Moonlighting” is the autobiographical take on being an independent Christian rapper by night, while being a real-life lawyer by day.… Continued →

Jettee which is the project of Jett Foreman (and son of Tim Foreman of Switchfoot fame) just dropped a fantastic new song titled “The Adventure”. It’s full of soaring vocals, diverse and full sounding instrumentation as well a moody yet alluring melodic indie rock sound. Check out the track now on all digital networks and streaming sites. Listen below this post.… Continued →

Los Angeles, CA. based Chives McAlister, is back with a brand new “Family-Core” pop-punk song titled “Running After You”. Family-Core is not a new genre or sub-genre it’s just a fun loving tag penned by Caleb of Chainstay and Must Build Jacuzzi, placed upon this love song for his wife and kids. Instead of the typical relationship downers and depressing lyric content, Chives’ Erik Williams has created a beautiful tribute to his wife and their children, thus “Family-Core” is born. The song “Running After You” is now available on all digital networks and streaming sites through Small Step Records.… Continued →

I am finally getting around to posting up the incredible music video from one of my favorite indie bands, Names Without Numbers. They just dropped their brand new single through all digital networks and it is titled “Box Fort Kingdom”. The song was released in part by the label Fair Vaux. The band has a new release on the way with a collection of songs are absolutely phenomenal in every way. Check out the music video for “Box Fort Kingdom”, below.… Continued →

For those of you in a hardcore punk mood, check out the brand new single from the aggressive, gritty, and heavy sounding punk rock group known as Dispraised. The song is titled “Off My Back” and to learn more about the song and thoughts behind it, click over on the bandcamp link below.… Continued →

Here we are in 2024 in the midst of festival season and reunions that just didn’t seem so likely years ago. Well, fortunately for us one of those bands by the name of Officer Negative, have reunited. Not only are they working on a new album but will also be playing live shows very soon. To see the new lineup (with some familiar faces), click below or visit their page on instagram: officernegative.official. So what are your favorite Officer Negative songs? If you want to buy merch from them, click this link here.… Continued →

Thumper Punk Records is proud to announce the new split release from a couple of legends in Hardcore punk rock – Absolved, and The Blamed. You can listen to one song from each artist at this link or by clicking below this post. The release is being put out on special green with black splatter VINYL and available to order right here. Limited to 300 copies.… Continued →

Typically, when I get an album in advance, I dive right in. I play it on repeat. I soak in it for hours, digesting every word. Benjamin Daniel’s (Ben Kunz) latest album somehow alluded me. Maybe it was because it was in a Google Drive file or maybe it was because I was closer to the album this time around by helping with a music video. That’s not to say I never played through it or hadn’t already found some of my favorites, but admittedly listening through things post-release feels less spoiled than usual.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Convictions – The Coastal Glow [Single]
• Earth Groans – Deadbolt [Single]
• Grace Graber – California [Single]
• Heliograph – WEWANNABEFREE [Single]
• Remedy Drive – Lights Up [Single]
• Sower – THE SOIL [EP]
• 3 Days Under – Fruit of the Flesh [Single]

Pop & Alternative

• Fulton Lee, Nic D – Rollin [Single]
• Henrik – Enjoy the view [Single]
• Judah & the Lion – Body & Soul [Single]
• Zion Goins – OKAY COWBOY

Electronic & EDM

• Michaell D, DJ Devid Michiles – EveryBody Jump [Single]

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Daniel Hardin – Back To This [Single]
• Sarah Sparks – I’m Fine [Single]
• Skye Peterson, Thomas Austin – More and More Beautiful [Single]

Worship & CCM

• Cade Kellam – Idols [Single]
• Darlene Zschech – Testament [EP]
• FAITHFUL, Sarah Kroger – Send Rescue [Single]
• Good Shepherd Collective – Live On
• Logan and Katie – As For Me [Single]
• Mackenzie Phillips – Perfect [Single]
• Verses, Kristina Meyer – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 [Single]

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RIYL: Attalus, Valleyheart, sosaveme, My Epic, Manchester Orchestra, Copeland There are artists you run into tangentially – someone you know shares might follow them or you hear a clip of a track, but things get buried. I’m ashamed to say that Sower is one such project. From the very first notes of the project’s first EP, I couldn’t help but hear elements of many of my favorite bands. There’s a varied indie-rock sound which ranges from the fringes of post-hardcore to the glowy emo of bands like Mae and Copeland.… Continued →

One of the few bands in the Christian scene that played in the groove metal style (that slightly slower, but just as intense cousin of thrash) was the Canadian band Erase. I remember when Mental Overload first came out and it made a huge impact on the then-stagnating Christian metal scene. The band’s popularity was, in part, owed to Jason Campbell, the ex-Mortification drummer, who was now pulling double-duties on vocals and guitar. Sadly, they only released one album (for David Villalpando, AKA Burrito’s Morphine Records label) before going their separate ways.… Continued →