News
December 25, 2020
First things first–merry Christmas everyone! It’s been a challenging year, and many of us are ready to see the back of it. I always post my Song of the Day picks on Friday, so I was pleased to the lucky draw for Christmas Day! Of course, it had to be a Christmas song, and there are lots of good ones to choose from, even from our niche scene.
For those unfamiliar with Adam Again, they have deep roots in the Christian music scene. They started out in the California scene of the 1980s through Broken Records and later Brainstorm Artists.… Continued →
December 24, 2020
Song of the Day: Fanmail - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Another Song of The Day from the great Happy Christmas series of the late 90’s. The first 3 Volumes still remain some of my favorite “Christmas” collections of songs, by far. My song of the day, which is the 2nd today, Christmas Eve. Fanmail came out swinging with a punk rock classic done with their (now) classic sound. Scott Silletta (Ex-Plankeye) was always in his best element by showing a bit of edge behind the guitar and mic. This song is certainly no exception to that rule.… Continued →
Song of the Day: Five Iron Frenzy - You Gotta Get Up
When Happy Christmas Vol. 1 hit my ears, I was pleasantly and delightfully impressed. It had some of my favorite bands at the time doing their best versions of Christmas classics. One of those songs was “You Gotta Get Up” by Five Iron Frenzy which was originally composed by Rich Mullins (RIP). The song is a playful tune with a bouncy rhythm and plenty of holiday cheer, perfect for the Christmas season. Well placed horn section and Reese’s unforgettable voice, I mean that in the most sincere way.… Continued →
Nate Parrish - Bullets and Blades (Official Music Video)
Sorry I’m a bit late on this. Nate Parrish just released his brand new music video through Indie Vision Music and you can watch the premiere below. Thanks to Nate and please check out his fabulous 2020 full length, “I’m A Wreck”, available now!… Continued →
Wind Words Releases 'Minor Prophets' (FFO: Levi the Poet)
Florida-based Wind Words has returned with his newest project, Minor Prophets, a collection of spoken word meditations. These Scripture-driven pieces recount the narratives of both popular and overlooked biblical accounts. This is a bit of a diversion from his debut, Digging Up Earth, but it carries the same level of passion.
Minor Prophets by Wind Words… Continued →
Song of the Day: Tiller Paul - Leave Me Here
Here’s another obscure band from the archives. First heard them on an indie Christian rock station/website & they seemed to have an Americana/grunge flair. They appear to have a full length called Flicker that was released in 1999, but I have not heard that one (but, totally just ordered)! I picked up 2 of their EPs (Self-titled & The Lazy I Sessions” for a high price back several years ago. Anyways, this song is catchy & I dig it & hope you do also!… Continued →
December 22, 2020
Song of the Day: August Burns Red - Chop Suey!
How many of y’all like covers? Well, ABR has done several & have made them into their own metalcore sound. Covering songs from Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Saves the Day & The Legend of Zelda, Nofx, tons of Christmas ones & now System of a Down, they are always welcome to my ears. Apparently, they played this one during soundcheck before their shows tons before finally deciding to do a cover. It is also one that they showcase more of their clean vocals than before. The single was released December 15th on Fearless Records which is the label that has brought us music from Starset, The Color Morale, Blessthefall, Wage War, Classic Case, The Almost & my fave band of all time, Underoath.… Continued →
December 21, 2020
Indie Vision Music Premieres New Nate Parrish Music Video
Check back here and on our YouTube Channel December 24th 2020 at 8am PST for the full premiere of Nate Parrish’s new music video for the song “Bullets & Blades”. Video the video premiere page by clicking here (or below). Make sure to visit his website to purchase his 2020 debut full length on CD and grab some other merch as well. Nate will release a new EP in 2021!… Continued →
REVIEW : Verlaine - Don't Wake Them From Their Sleep
There’s something about that mid-00s Christian emo sound. Spotify calls it “dreamo” and it encapsulates bands like The Myriad, Poor Old Lu, Fair, Copeland, and a fair number of Tooth & Nail artists. Of course, the appeal of this sound is not purely nostalgic; Subways on the Sun proved that for us last year. Chill, melodic, emo-adjacent rock is refreshingly-dynamic. Pour on a healthy dose of ethereal falsetto for full effect. It’s cinematic in the truest sense. It borrowed some of the highlights of bands like The Goo Goo Dolls and Coldplay and added in a higher degree of artisan craftsmanship.… Continued →
December 19, 2020
Song of the Day: Wade Walker - Your Ways
Initially, this was one of my least-favorite tracks on the albums – but it’s a beautiful, Gospel-tinged track full of Scripture under a veneer of soulful piano.
… Continued →
New Releases: December 18, 2020
Rock & Metal
- Bride – Here Is Your God
- Chase Tremaine – Fear Not Want
- Fallstar – Waiting
- Messenger – In to Win
- Northern Flame – Twisted Reality
- Steve Taylor & the Danielson Foil – Ecstatic Delight
- Then It Ends – Kingdom (Alternative Version)
- Words – Trees (Live) (EP)
- Chris August – Ghost
- Conrad – Hidden Places
- Crossroads Music – Come In From The Cold
- Darla Baltazar – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- Eniola Abioye – MARBLED MOSAIC.
- John Ward – Graves and Graces
- Jordan Feliz – Say It
- Josh Sellers – Far Away
- Lovelite – Mmxx (EP)
- Mike Donehey – Better
- Stephen Stanley – No Hopeless Soul
- walk in love.
Song of the Day: Broken - Beautiful
Here’s another obscure band for ya! Broken released one LP on Mercy Street Records which had a small yet diverse array of artists: Real (Nu metal), Popcorn (rap), one of Seventh Day Slumber’s early releases & Salt (Southern rock). Broken has a hard hitting heavy rapcore/nu-metal sound. They released 3 songs to indie Christian rock/loud radio: Beautiful, Stand & Cage. My fave was the 1st track which had lyrics like “beautiful the blood shed for me”. It’s no disguise that this is a full on “Christian” band.… Continued →
December 18, 2020
Yours For Mine release new song!
Indie rock/Post hardcore act Yours For Mine release new song! FFO: Meadows, Eaves, and Idle Threat.
Song of the Day: Dead Artist Syndrome - Dance With Me
The year was 1990. I’d heard lots of buzz about this new “goth rock” band Dead Artist Syndrome. Even Roger Martinez from Vengeance Rising had been sporting their t-shirt at gigs. For those who don’t know, DAS was the first goth band to release an album on a Christian label. While being the first is always a good thing, it wasn’t the fact that they were an early representative of the subgenre that made them interesting. It was that they were so darn good at it.… Continued →
December 17, 2020
Song of the Day: Rhonda Gunn - Binding Chains
Rhonda Gunn is a singer/songwriter that has been around since 1995. I admit I did not hear her music til more recently (around 2 years ago) when a station/website called Crossroads started playing her music. Since then I have heard music from 2 other albums Forgiveness & I Wonder. My musical tastes are very eclectic & so I started searching & found she is even on the Frontline Records site & is an outstanding songwriter who has has penned songs for Dallas Holm & Heirloom. Her music sounds adult contemporary with some rock underlinings with her soaring vocals sounding (at least to me) like a cross between Carrie Underwood & dare I say it, Sandi Patty.… Continued →
December 16, 2020
Best of 2020 - Casey G.
Here are my favorite releases of the year by category.
Opinion: 3 Reasons I Like Christmas Music Again
If you’ve seen my Christmas posts on IVM the past few years then you probably think I’m big fan of Christmas music. And might just be right. It seems like the genre has been growing on me more each year. But it hasn’t always been that way for me. There was defiantly a time during my teens and college years where I found Christmas music annoying at best. So what changed? That’s a question I found myself asking this week and I came up with a few thoughts.… Continued →
December 15, 2020
Krig - Tribute II
Krig is a Brazilian band with obvious death metal tendencies. They have been around since 2007 & have released a few albums including now 2 cover LPs . The production is stellar for death metal projects imho. I happened to stumble upon this today & am digging their take on classics from Bloodgood, Megadeth, Messiah Prophet, Trouble & one of my fave bands of all time (lyrically & musically), Tourniquet. The song Ark of Suffering actually was banned by MTV back in the day. The song features Karl Walfridsson who is Pantrokrator’s vocalist.… Continued →
Song of the Day: Animal Couch-Shoes
I try & find obscure bands for these reviews so others can enjoy a lost song/band like I do. Animal Couch is one of those. I first heard their music through my endless digging for Christian music through a long ago website/station called Freerock1). Their goth look seems to be both like Wedding Party or Virgin Black, but sound more akin to modern rock. They had released 3 cds which were rare, but Spotify currently carries all: Spare Room Demo, Chocolate Covered Pears & Words To Die By. … Continued →
December 14, 2020
Song of the Day: Beanbag-Whiplash
How many of y’all remember a hackey sack (the little ball you kicked with your foot & held it on the side of your shoe & sent it up on your head or flipped it to another player in style). Man, in my high school days that was the in-thing! Well, Australia’s Beanbag is named for that little entertainment ball. Saw this 4 piece at Carowinds in South Carolina back in the day. Pretty sure Hangnail, Denison Marrs & Thousand Foot Krutch were there that day also.… Continued →
December 13, 2020
New Releases: December 11, 2020
Rock & Metal
- Anberlin – Tear Us Apart
- Ben S Dixon – Psalm 46 Lord of Hosts
- The Chariot – Long Live (10 Year Anniversary)
- Heliocentric – Antithesis
- Living Scars – Hallelujah
- Signum Regis – Flag of Hope (EP)
- Adam Lamb – For Me
- Altared – Awakened
- Amng Wlvs – Voice of Hope
- Anae – You Can Find Me
- Cody Johns – Relentless (EP)
- Connor Flanagan – Fire of My Father
- Doobie Powell – Heartbeat
- Edgar Sandoval Jr – last few months
- Haiva Ru – Wildflowers
- Judah & the Lion – Pep Talks Live
- Jon Webster – Selah
- NEEDTOBREATHE – Who Am I (Acoustic)
- Tauren Wells – Famous For (I Believe) – Collection
- UNSECRET – No Sanctuary
- Charlie Peacock – Skin and Wind is a Mind Bend
- Future Divine – Nightmare Into Day
- Jon Foreman – Fear (EP)
- Thomas Toole – Time and Space
- Whale Bones – The Doors Are Locked, the Blinds Are Closed, I Am Not Home
- Angie Rose – Not A Monster
- Jesse Francis – Frontier
- JSteph – Phase II: The Remixes (EP)
- King Chai – Godmix 2
- LZ7 – Gettin Wild
- Tru-Serva – Blessings on the Way (Remix)
- Tobe Nwigwe – CINCORIGINALS
- Ashton Barber – Inheritance
- Ben&blake – Faith Alone
- Calvary Worship Live – Never Gonna Let Me Down
- Celtic Worship, Praise Gathering – It Is Well
- Chris Beland – Morning and Evening Hymns
- Curt Vernon – One I Thought You Couldn’t Change
- Emmanuel Worship – Songs of Quarantine
- Fount + Flame – Pull Me In
- Grace City – Holy Ghost (We Say Yes)
- Harvest City Church – Greatest Miracle (Live)
- Hillsong UNITED – (in the meantime) [Vol.
December 12, 2020
My Top 10 Christmas Albums of 2020
I should probably be working my Best of 2020 list right now, but as I set out to make my annual Christmas playlist I kept stumbling across great new albums and EPs. So while my top albums of 2020 list sits on the backburner for a few more weeks, enjoy this list of my top 10 new Christmas albums and EPs that were released this year. Oh, and stick around for that aforementioned playlist at the bottom of the page.… Continued →
25 Best Christian Rock Albums of 1995
These are my 25 Best Christian Rock Albums of 1995. This was a monumental year for Christian Music and really the beginning of what was to come over the course of the next 2 decades. Check out my list below along with a playlist featuring some of the songs.… Continued →
December 11, 2020
Commenting on IVM Works Again
We (actually Fusse) have fixed the commenting feature on Indie Vision Music website and it works once again. It has been down for over a week with tons of comments going nowhere. Please return today and leave your comments below the posts that interest you. More content coming in the days ahead including a special look back at “The Top 25 Christian Rock Albums of 1995” that I’ve been slowing working on for a few months now. Thanks everyone!… Continued →
Song of the Day: Living Sacrifice - Not Beneath
There are so many different types of Living Sacrifice fans. People who started listening from the beginning, and those who joined somewhere along the way. Fans who praise their experimental phase, those who prefer the -core era, and those who swear by the traditional metal era. Heck, I even know one guy who claims they only released one album (he’s a thrash fan), and all the others were recorded by imposters!
The band has certainly seen a number of different phases, most easily broken down into two main categories (metal and -core) with a few other splinters.… Continued →
December 10, 2020
Song of the Day - Raspberry Jam: Everything We Need
Raspberry Jam is one of the earliest Christian alternative rock bands when alternative was such a genre. Heard their music through an indie rock station out of Springfield, MO while I was visiting fiends back in the early-mid 90s. This same station is where I discovered other greats such as Cloud2Ground, The Violet Burning & The Prayer Chain (the later 2 who evolved from the same southern California scene as Raspberry). The band released and EP & 3 LPs before disbanding.
Released on Metro One Records in 1993 (the same label who brought us Spoken & Precious Death), the 3rd release Chi-Ro was an alternative rock/funk hybrid with 2 vocalists: Phillip Kim & Angel Short.… Continued →
December 9, 2020
Song of the Day: Scales of Motion - Hard Rains
Scales of Motion’s latest release was eerily-prophetic. It’s a song strewn with gnomic phrases like “This whole year has been one long November”. Stylistically, it feels like a classic emo song, reminiscent of Mineral or early Cool Hand Luke. Check it out below.
Hard Rains by Scales of Motion
Lyrics:
Take me down to the edge of the river
To watch the banks be reshaped as it flows.
When I was young, all of life was a blanket.
Now I sleep shivering in the cold.
There will come hard rains,
And they may wash away
The things you thought you’d always know.… Continued →
December 8, 2020
Album Showcase: Reflescent Tide -Self Titled
Reflescent Tide is one of the first Christian rock bands I heard of way back in the mid 90s. There was a college show out of the University of Illinois that had a DJ that would play all kinds of music I had never heard of. The 3 piece band out of Canada had a 2 cd career. Their follow up actually had a music video which is grainy on YouTube They do not look like rock stars akin to most music released at the time.… Continued →
December 7, 2020
BLOOD, SWEAT, and SIN: The History of Christian Rock (A New Docuseries by Michael Bridges)
Michael Bridges, a long time member of our Christian Music and Rock Scene has embarked on a journey to release a special docuseries all about his involvement in the scene, where its gone, and and what is has meant to him. Sure to be shocking, compelling, and altogether interesting. Check out the trailer below and view the special gofundme to help get this project off the ground, right here. This really reminds me of an Anthony Bourdain (RIP) style series in the most honest way and it definitely has my interest.… Continued →
Winona Avenue - December Night (Official Music Video)
Winona Avenue have jumped into the Christmas season with their own original pop-rock song, “December Night”. Check out the really cool music video for the song, below. “December Night” is available now on all digital networks and streaming sites.… Continued →