Month: February 2025

Let the debate be finished, and let this be the final word: Sister Rosetta Tharpe was the first Christian rock artist ever. Decades before Larry Norman, or even his English predecessors like The Crossbeats or The Pilgrims, Tharpe was writing and performing a new take on Gospel music, utilizing skillful guitar playing and innovating techniques that were used by hundreds of others after her. In fact, it is likely that Tharpe is not only the first Gospel rocker, but the first rock-and-roll artist period, with her early material being created as early as the late 1930s, more than a full decade before Bill Haley and the Comets released “Rock Around the Clock” or Chuck Berry was instructing Johnny on how to B.… Continued →

In the “I never thought that would happen” news department, official members of Tourniquet have reformed the band (sans drummer/composer Ted Kirkpatrick, RIP) recently for a few shows. Guy Ritter, Gary Lenaire, and Luke Easter are all currently performing together as Stop the Bleeding, as they don’t currently have legal rights to use “Tourniquet.” While not much is known about future plans, (and the band is being somewhat secretive) they are, however, playing a few upcoming shows of note. They’ll be playing in Sweden in March (with Extol’s David Husvik filling in on drums) and one in Versailles, OH at home of Immortal Fest, BMI Center, (with former Haste the Day drummer Devin Chaulk filling in).… Continued →

It was revealed late last year that Craig’s Brother founding member and lead vocalist – Ted Bond, had indeed gotten a diagnosis of Lymphoma. A friend of Ted’s and the family has put together a special GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help offset the costs associated with the coming medical bills associated with treatment and healing. Since I understand first hand the exorbitant costs from medical bills and deductibles to be met, I know it isn’t easy for many families to pay outright for them on a meager income.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Out of the Graves – Life Among This Death [EP]

Pop & Alternative

• Grace Graber – The Breakthrough (Live) [EP]
• Nightbirde – Still Got Dreams

Electronic & EDM

• Andy Hunter – U R Loved

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Vian Izak – The Friend & True King [EP]

Worship & CCM

• Spencer Annis – Forever Communion [EP]

 … Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Lambs & Lions – Christ Supremacy
• With Blood Comes Cleansing – With Blood Comes Cleansing

Pop & Alternative

• Christian Singleton – boys & breakups [EP]

Electronic & EDM

• God’s Warrior – Through The Fire [EP]
• Roberto Rosso – Sacred Strings

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Sarah Sparks – My Love and an Ordinary Life

Worship & CCM … Continued →

We continue our series in February of focusing on contributions to the Christian independent music scene from our black brothers and sisters for Black History Month. While heavy metal, and especially this form of ‘glam metal’ was dominated by people whose skin color resembles mine, Seventh Seal stood out from the crowd. They were a commercial metal band from Palmdale, California whose 5 members were all African American. Seventh Seal was truly an anomaly in this regard. While there are other heavy metal bands with black members, I can’t think of any others where the entire band was made up of black members *and* who played in this particular style.… Continued →

Is The Myriad not the absolute best rock act with new music out there right now? Sometimes these older bands reunite only to put out music that isn’t as endearing, fresh, or honoring the past while embracing the future but The Myriad does all of the above and more. Their music is refreshing and cathartic. I can’t help but feel enthralled by each and every “new” song they release and have released over the past year or so. This new track “Something’s In The Water” is nothing short of extraordinary.… Continued →

For the remaining weeks of February, I’ll be focusing on African-American contributions to independent Christian music, in celebration of Black History Month. Both rock and roll in general, and Christian rock/indie/whatever music owe a huge debt to the African-American experience. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to overstate this. Andrae Crouch is one of the most influential Gospel artists of all time. In fact, he has often been known as the “father of modern gospel music.” And while the connection between traditional Gospel music and Christian indie/punk rock might not be obvious, it’s not as distinct as one might think.… Continued →

The insanely talented new Americana/Folk/Rebel Country duo known as Gypsy & Me, just dropped their beautiful new music video for the song “Ain’t Done With You Yet” off their most recent album, “Know Hope”. The song itself is a heart stirring collection of words and melodies that will captivate just about anyone who listens and turn your tears of sorrow into that of happiness and delight. Their new album has really captivated me to be honest. It’s one of my top favorites going into 2025 so far and I can’t wait to hear what else this group comes up with this year and beyond.… Continued →

Sower returns this Friday with another new song titled “Eyes To See But Do Not See” this time as a collaboration with the artist Second Adam & The New Creations! Check out a teaser, below. You can also catch Sower this summer at Audiofeed Fest!… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Impending Doom – TOWARDS THE LIGHT [EP]
• Valley of Salt – Voice of One Crying In The Wilderness: The Story Of John the Baptist

Pop & Alternative

• Pyramid Park – Cyclones & Silence
• Wilder Woods – Curioso

Worship & Gospel … Continued →

For 33 years, Sonny Sandoval has been the front man for P.O.D. The band hardly requires introductions, having been highly successful band in both Christian and secular music. Known for a highly energetic live show and an eclectic sound that ranges from reggae to hard rock to nu metal to hardcore, the band has surely set their feet on more than enough stages around the world, that Sonny surely has an immense trove of tales to tell.   Well, the wait to hear some of these tales will not last much longer.… Continued →

To Speak Of Wolves have posted a couple new shirts as well as news that at the start of March, they’re heading back into the studio to get to work on their new ep. This will be the band’s first release since 2017’s “Dead In Shadow” on Solid State Records. Who’s up for new music from these guys??… Continued →

This Ukrainian band started out as a semi-melodic black metal band, who later morphed into a thrash/death metal band, with a sound that worked a little better overall. After forming in 2003, in their hometown of Kremenchuk, they released a full-length album in 2007 in their native tongue. In 2008 Sullen Records issued an English language version of the album, which was entitled Evangelion. This pressing was on limited edition, hand-numbered CDr. The label re-issued the album yet again in 2010. In 2010, Australian label Soundmass (known for top-quality extreme metal releases) issued a follow-up release, the mini-album Death is Dead.… Continued →