Author: Timo Cuoco

This Missouri melodic emo/screamo band released one EP back in 2002. One of the members joined a band I saw live called Story of the Year after the band disbanded. This catchy SOTD I found through a site called Freerock1 back in the day which played the first Underoath releases along with numerous artists I found out about. Check out the remnants of the site here:   http://freerock1.faithweb.com/   … Continued →

I missed out on seeing Ilia live, but got the chance to meet & see Zahna (Suzy Martinez) a couple years back. This was always going be one of the hardest SOTDs to pick from a relatively short catalog. Ilia has had so many awesome songs that they are very hard to deem as personal favorites. I chose to go with their earliest incarnation of the band as Ilia changed vocalists 3 times until Zahna came aboard for the final lineup. Check em out if you haven’t already.… Continued →

I was given the Safety in the Sea cd recently from this band I have known about for quite some time. Thank you Eli!  Anyways, this article showcases 2 of my fave songs from them. Captive though hits hard with me especially with the following lyrics. We probably all have felt this way at some point, but now we are not alone with our thoughts and struggles as our Heavenly Father is here to help us through!!! So here I am, waiting with my perfect thoughts  But they’re all dead and wrong  This isn’t what I expected  This isn’t what I had in mind, but still I can’t move on  It’s been so long since I felt loved It’s been so long since I cared  This world has nothing to offer  This world is full of despair  I was full of glass  You can see right through  Push me down I’d break  Until I saw you  It’s easy to believe what you want to  When this world holds captive our hearts  There’s something in the way that binds you  It keeps us torn and apart   I can feel what it’s like  My fellas I won’t lie  I can feel, So here I am, I can feel something inside  But it is not my own, it’s not my own  I wish I could see my future, see how everything unfolds  ‘Cause now I’m not alone, I’m not alone   … Continued →

This Californian modern metal band I personally learned about through the Dead2Self radio site when they had a metal sister site before it combined a few years back. I don’t know too much beyond that on this defunct band, but this song hits hard. They do have a Facebook & ReverbNation page still up though.          … Continued →

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 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 →

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 →

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 →

Industrial project Bridgeshadows is composed of KL (Kenneth Lemery) who has also been in a few different projects over the years. He has finally signed with Broken Curfew Records that has put out tons of heavy bands ie Abated Mass of Flesh amongst many others. He has recently released several songs like Hidden in the Rust & Razor, but here is his latest & a live goodie from the past.   … Continued →

So I just saw this band last night, June 28th 2024. I know this band isn’t “Christian” at all, but I remember this song being on “Christian” metal playlists back in the day. I also see that they played Furnacefest. They are a great reminder of 2000s metalcore which I always have had a fond taste for. And they did say they will be releasing new music here soon. … Continued →

Clonek aka Cleiton Ferreira is an EDM artist from Brazil. Check out this catchy dance track. … Continued →

Saw this band on the Scream the Prayer tour many years ago. I have always dug their metalcore sound which was very prevalent at the time. Unfortunately, the sound oversaturated the scene and its hard to find many decent metalcore bands these days. Check these 2 gems out. … Continued →

Pop punk Cities & Saints released 2 catchy EPs in 2010 & 2012. They were from Michigan. Check this SOTD out & Again Again if you like this one. … Continued →

This track is off the Osmotic Fusion compilation released by LowRoof Records. I have always had a special place in my heart for dance music and have accumulated tons of it over the years. This artist is from the Netherlands and released a 2005 LP Influence. “My Savior my Healer My Friend”   … Continued →

This singer/songwriter wrote a lot of worship songs that also talked about missionary work. He released his 1st LP in 1974. Read his Wikipedia page to find out more. He has an extensive discography, but here are 2 of my faves. Thank mom for introducing me to these songs so many years ago. … Continued →

I found this hardcore band at a Christian bookstore right after they had released No Compromise. They created some great music over the years including these 2 heavy hitters. My Beliefs is about standing up for Jesus in the hxc scene and Raping the Mind is about the cold hard truth of what lust can do to your mind.   … Continued →

This deathcore band is comprised of 2 friends from high school. Hailing from Indiana, I have had the privilege to talk with Ryan Miller for the show I produce on Ripper Radio. This song also reminds me of the metalcore band Context whom I saw live a couple years ago. Listen to this song loud and follow this band as they are working on releasing the full length Over Goshen. Some of the lyrics reference 1 John 1:9. … Continued →

This is Mike Musick’s band.  If you want to more on him specifically, check out his bio on the indie on the move site. Mike’s solo career had some songs chart including Funk#5 & This Town. Also looks like he wrote a bunch of song for mainstream country artists. This modern rock song is pretty catchy so check it out. … Continued →

The Ohio band Pits are a band whose roots started in Panama. They are a hard band to list genre-wise, but I would say emo-pop punk-alternative esque. Appears they only released 1 full length & an 8 song EP on Angryson Records. This was the same label who released music from Neshamah & Aftertaste. The short lived Mono vs Stereo label picked up this SOTD for their The Revolution Will Begin in the Blink of an Eye 2nd comp. Check this catchy song out & try not to sing along the 2nd time!… Continued →

This band delved into a rare subgenre of heavier surf rock. The tollboth.org site has an interview with the band if you want to read all about the theory behinds the bands’ name. Also, vocalist John used to be in the old skool hxc band Clay. The live version if of their song The Arsenal which is their interesting take on the armor of God. Check this one of a kind band out. … Continued →

There is really such a thing as a heavy trap subgenre. Artists which have elements include Autumnboy, Man Ov God aka Brook from Impending Doom, Bella Futuro (members of MewithoutYou & The Operation) and Arizona artist HandsXFeet. Check out these thought provoking lyrics from HandsXFeet. Oh my God What have I done what have I done Oh my God I killed Your son, killed Your son The devil he entered my body All of that money it got me Our time spent it meant nothing An army of demons surround me I betrayed who set me free It should be me up on that tree Weight’s too much, fall to my knees Kiss of death was on my breath Take it back, I don’t want it All this blood money is haunted I just let the devil taunt me Shut your ears to sins confessed Broke that bread, passed that cup Flesh torn apart, You gave that up No salvation, out of luck Innocence now laid to rest [MAN OV GOD:] Lost, can’t believe I forgot Lost, can’t believe I forgot All alone in my sin Betrayed the Son of Man Guillotine, that’s the plan Hanging from a tree Flesh, the heart of man Save me from my grave My soul is strong, but my flesh is weak    … Continued →

This pop punk band from California reminds me of ska elements at the same time without the horns which is probably since the band are big fans of Fire Iron Frenzy. If you like the band, check out their S/T on IVM’s Bandcamp page.     … Continued →

Hailing from Leopoldshöhe, Germany, this rare melodic thrash band released 1 EP & 1 LP before disbanding. Their music is very hard to find so I uploaded most to Youtube for your listening pleasure. Instead of thinking thrashy Vengeance Rising, think of newer music that falls within part thrash/part metalcore & you will get a feeling of how this band sounds. The Spirit of Metal site still has them listed as active. but they haven’t released anything since 2005 from what I have found. Also their lyrics are definitely Christian as each of their songs comes directly from different parts of the Bible.… Continued →

This melodic death metal band is another rarity from my archives. Hailing from Duluth Minnesota, their lyrics are definitely Godly. The only other place I have found about them is the Spirit of Metal site. Their cd even references myspace if that tells you anything. Anyways, check ’em out. https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/album/Vox_Dei/114308 … Continued →

This southern tinged metal band from Tennessee (not to be confused with the spirit filled hxc band of the same name from Texas) is one of my faves in the genre. Their LP dominated my cd player back in 2006. Their only LP was released on Strike First Records which was a sublabel of Fasedown’s. Check out our own IVM review of the album also. … Continued →

So today is my birthday and I have been recollecting my life these past 46 years & how it relates to the music I have grown to enjoy. I originated from the quad cities in Illinois. I accepted Jesus into my heart at around 5 years old from a lady who ended up being a missionary to Europe. My earliest music memory was calling in for Farrell & Farrell’s People in a Box to be played on my birthday for a couple years on local CCM radio.… Continued →

This LA hip hop band was awesome back in the day. They were formed by vocalist Ahmad who actually released his first song back in ’93 when he was only 17. They have worked with mainstream artists Black Eyed Peas & KRS-One amongst others. This catchy track features turntables & a very cool synth line. … Continued →

This crossover band’s sound totally reminds me of Wage War. I really like them as their vocalist is actually the creative director at his church. Check out these lyrics from another of their earlier songs. Follow this band as they are doing big things. I’ll shout Your name, for You alone are King. And I’ll sing Your praise, ’cause You reign in me. Though I stumble and stray from the path, You never cease to love me with open hands. Though I may falter, You never alter.… Continued →