Behold The Beloved: “Harsh Realities” Album Review
It’s always refreshing to hear newer Christian rock bands that channel the classic sounds of Pillar and Disciple. This is Behold the Beloved, a five-piece from Manheim, PA, who has been on a musical journey ever since they first came on the scene in 2013. Starting as a worship band, they transitioned to rock and haven’t turned back, working hard at honing their craft and touring whenever they can.
Earlier this year, they released their follow-up to the hard hitting album, No Surrender, with Harsh Realities. Continuing their previous work with Josiah Prince and Andrew Stanton of Disciple, they develop and evolve their sound with each project. With shredding guitars, pounding bass, and Sean Green’s talented vocals, their music packs a punch!
Harsh Realities Album Review:
Tracks: 10
Length: 41 minutes
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Label: Independent
Kicking off the album is the hard hitting single, “Dear Martyr.” From the opening note, this single sets the tone both musically and lyrically for the whole album. Lyrically, this album is based on the harsh reality that life as a Christian is not easy. For this song in particular, it’s an anthem for Christians around the world, who are risking their lives for the sake of the Gospel. I love the lyrics,
“Why do they stay? Why don’t they run away? Why do they pray when they’re hunted for their faith?”
Risking their lives may seem senseless, but these brave martyrs are doing it to spread the Gospel to all the nations. Along with the cry for the persecuted, the band brings the energy with the crunchy guitar rhythms, incredible electric guitar solo, and catchy lyrics. Sheldon Stauffer on drums is a highlight of this song, especially in the opening.
The theme of difficult times continues with “Darker the Night.” The song centers on the challenge of persevering in a world that actively rejects the message God is trying to give them.. Between the meaningful lyrics and Jeff Leaman’s technical guitar skillset, this song packs a punch in an effort to encourage believers to share God’s faithfulness and love with others This song also features a hard-hitting line,
“Another day, another tragedy (God, where are you?)”
This is an incredible line, because a lot of people want to ask the question of how could an all-knowing and all-loving God allow evil things to happen. It is hard for us as humans to understand the complexity of who God is, but God still reigns.
“Untouchable” opens with a distinctive, almost techno sound that once again stretches the musical boundaries of what BTB is capable of. The chorus goes hard, with driving guitar and a great crowd call & response in live shows. Production values have definitely improved greatly since the first album and it shows throughout this album. It is also good to see the guys showing that they have variety in their tone and feel, not just sticking to a formula.
Prior to this album, the band released two singles in 2024, “Toxic Lullabies” and “Powerplay.” BTB shows that they are not afraid to tackle some tough topics and they come out swinging with “Toxic Lullabies.” This song is a fierce warning against false teachers who spread lies instead of the Gospel. They don’t mince words, comparing them to wolves. Aggressive and upbeat at the same time, “Toxic Lullabies” has a bassline that highlights Tim Kitchen’s ability to throw down. Jason Stauffer and Jeff lay down energetic guitar riffs that compel listeners to move, paired with Sean’s passionate vocals.
“Powerplay” is a rock anthem that uses ice hockey as a metaphor for the importance of taking risks on behalf of the Gospel, because we know we have God on our side. While highly themed songs have the potential to come across cheesy, BTB nails it! Rounding out the concept, the band sold hockey jerseys as merch and shot the music video in an ice rink. It’s a favorite to see live and Jeff always nails the shrieking guitar solo! Don’t let the gray hair fool you, he knows how to shred and absolutely loves doing it.
They get really personal with their next song, “Am I Broken?” pulling from their own experiences and struggles. It shows a genuine and vulnerable side of the band, encouraging and challenging their fans in their faith.
“I’m believing there’s a reason for this bleeding, but it’s breaking me. Open my eyes, I wanna see. What’s going on, what’s going wrong with me? Am I broken?”
They’ve featured some amazing collaborations with artists, like Kevin Young from Disciple on their last album, and now Jon Micah from Kutless. Adding Jon Micah to this song helps give an amazing contrast in lead vocals, as well as dynamics that makes this song stand out. The song ends on a positive note, using a key change to convey hope in the midst of the struggle.
The next track, “Heartbreak,” immediately showcases the band's diverse talent, opening with a beautiful violin intro.The song gives a passionate plea that conveys a message of love from Creator to creation. This seems to be their ballad on the record, highlighting Sean’s vocal abilities. Recently, this song has made its way onto Christian radio and it is encouraging to see these guys continue to showcase their talents.
The beginning of “Live Again,” has the stylings of a worship song from Elevation or Hillsong, but Jeff’s signature guitar sound differentiates this song from those catalogs. This song also highlights the writing pattern of Jeff and Jason on the guitars, along with their technical mastery of their instruments. “Ready to Die” is a straight-up rock song, with gritty vocals and a little southern flavoring. Andrew Stanton of Disciple steps from producer to guitarist, lending his musical talents to this attitude-filled tune.
The album wraps up with their rendition of “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. After exploring themes of Christian struggle, hardship, and doubt throughout the album, a powerful closing worship song feels like a fitting resolution The passion through Sean’s voice and the band are featured and convey an attitude of worship and humility. It seemed that they were playing and recording this as if they were playing directly in front of the Heavenly Throne.
Honestly, Harsh Realities is a powerhouse, just the right combination of rock and emotion. The lyrics are catchy, and there are moments where Behold the Beloved shows off some serious expertise. Their sound is just getting better and better! Their high-energy live performances and infectious spirit are exactly what people need, inspiring others to live out their faith and keep bringing people into the kingdom. This is a band that you don’t want to sleep on! They're part of that next generation of Christian rockers who have the musical chops to command respect from absolutely everyone, while rocking out for their faith and staying true to their message. This is a step up from No Surrender and I’m excited for what comes next from them!
