Diamonds To Dust: “Echoes Of Grace And Strife” Album Review

New York metal heavyweights Diamonds to Dust have hit the scene full force with their latest masterwork, Echoes Of Grace And Strife. This five-piece brings the heat with their sixth release on Manifest Records. It’s been three years since their last release and Echoes picks right up where Amidst the Hallowed and the Vanquished left off. We had the opportunity to review the album early, before it releases on Friday, December 19th.

Echoes Of Grace And Strife Album Review

Tracks: 14

Release: December 15, 2025

Label: Manifest Records

Similar to the thematic intro on their previous album, this album starts “Child of the King,” a thematic piece that pairs nicely with Christian’s deep guttural growls, enhancing the brutality of this album. Throughout the song, it has a subtle climb in tempo, going from steady to fast paced, between the aggressive guitars to the drum pattern. I love the combo of Christian’s screams and Barry’s clean vocals. Another aspect of this song that I enjoyed is the declaration at the end,

“So when I’m asked who am I. I will only give one answer. I’m a child of The Almighty King!”

The next song “A Shadow Cast Eternally” keeps the pace moving with the thunderous guitar riffs, alongside the drums blasting through. The technical finger placement on the electrics is incredible. The talent that is showcased on these first two songs is mind-blowing. We move onto track three, “Bond Servant.” The opening is aggressive and absolutely sick. You can’t stick Christian’s vocals into one category. He goes high, low and everywhere in between. Between the double bass of the drums and the progressions of the electric guitars, this has to be one of the best songs on the album.

“Enough is Enough” goes straight into the action. This song has no rest. The aggressiveness of the music matches the brutal nature of the lyrics as the band tackles the issues of abuse, with lyrics talking about overcoming the injustices and growing to be a better person.

“Deny Thyself” is the next song. Between the fast-paced, slamming drum beats that have the double bass going overtime and smashing everything in sight. If you want a definition of a metal worship song, this is that song. Between the drums and deep guttural screams, this is as metal as you can get. I love the lyrics,

“Holy Holy Holy is the uncreated God. Holy Holy Holy. Who is, who was, who is to come.”

Did I mention that this album is fast? There seems to be no slowdown in the pace. The next song on this crash course of Christian metal is “Inheritor of Silence.” It seems that the guys are writing from various stages in their life. There are stories of triumph, stories of worship and stories of heartbreak. This song is centered around dealing with a loved one who has cancer. This track captures the struggle of loss while showcasing the hope found in leaning on God to move through the stages of grief.

“God save me from this fall from grace. I fight to move forward but I’m stuck in rewind.”

The album continues with “Consequence of Our Transgressions.” This song was the first single released last month. Along with the brutal, fast paced nature of the music, you find the lyrics are just as aggressive. This is a song that serves more of a warning than pointing the finger at anything. The lyrics read:

“This is a present day Sodom and Gomorrah. Captivating the soul and leading it to a euphoric demise causing us to denounce what truly keeps us alive.”

Throughout this song, I loved the breakdowns along with the cinematic background. It really adds to the song and the rest of the album. We go from “Consequence” to the next song “Voices Beneath the Noise.” It highlights the different parts of the band from driven bass lines to methodic drum beats to that absolutely deep guttural breakdown. This song, while it’s short, sends a message that we are meant for so much more.

“Brainwashed to accept forsaken conditions. These chains were created to hold us in a place and strip us of our light.”

Moving forward, we get to track nine, “Dissonant Truth.” Defined by pure chaos, this track is destined to ignite a massive pit.  You hear it and you can picture the room turning into a circle of chaos with hardcore dancers or moshers. I was curious about the title, so I looked up the definition of dissonant, which means lacking harmony. Looking at the lyrics, it makes sense as to why they went in this direction. There is this combat between the world and the gospel.

“The world hates this worldview, it hates this dissonant truth.”

The next track is the third single from the album, “The White Rabbit’s Nightmare.” This song features Mike Felker from Convictions on guest vocals. At first when you hear the opening segment, it seems confusing, but as you listen to the song it makes sense. As stated throughout, these guys are pulling from some deep places of hurt for the record. This song is centered around watching a loved one fighting through addiction before succumbing to the illness.

“I hate myself for thinking this is what it took for you to be free. I don’t hate you. I understand that addiction is a disease.”

Compared to the rest of the album, this track offers a change of pace. It sounds like there are some nu-metal influences in the sound both vocally and musically. There are some electronic elements along with the almost rap style screams. Going from a nu-metal influenced song back to the deep guttural styles in “You Will Suffer,” the band is pulling in different elements into this album and I love it. For instance, in this song we get those electronic samples which add a techno aspect to the song. It makes this song feel dark, but when you look at the lyrics the music matches the lyrics.

“Branded with words that I’ve yet forgotten. Tarnished by a soul, a soul so darkened. You plagued my mind, betrayed my innocence.”

Throughout this album, this band is pulling from all kinds of personal pain. The pain of losing someone to cancer and addiction and now suffering through child abuse. Christian’s vocal range just impresses me how he can go from a deep guttural growl to a high pitch scream that pierces you with the brutal breakdown and impactful lyrics.

Next song is “Overstayed Welcome.” This is another song that features a guest vocal as this time we get Vincent Cezar of Asuna. Transitioning from a methodical, breakdown-heavy opening, the track shifts gears into a high-tempo, driving chorus. As mentioned with “Dissant Truth,” this is a song that could get the hardcore dancers going. I appreciate hearing the shakeups in tempo, it offers something new on the record, rather than hearing the same thing song after song.

“A Light Beyond the Ruins” offers something different than the rest of the album. A slower start paired with some clean vocals. This album has an incredible pace and is so aggressive. The screams in this song are really crisp and clean and definitely give that mid-2000s post-hardcore influence. These guys have made themselves vulnerable throughout the album with the topics they tackle. This is another example showcasing that vulnerability. This time they tackle struggling in their faith. Despite the struggles, they realize that God is still there for them despite those moments of doubt.

“The familiar voice expresses my unworthiness. Yet you find it so easy to forgive my offenses. Lord, you welcome me home when I lose sight and drift.”

We’ve reached the last song and this is another song that features guest vocals and this time it’s Bobbi Vanet. This song accompanies a video that was released last year. The song absolutely showcases the level of talent from drums to guitars to vocals. You can appreciate the musicianship of the guitar riffs and solos as well as the pounding of the double bass. Christian’s vocals continue to impress me on this album and the range that he can go on a moment’s notice. Bobbi’s vocals add to that guttural depth and it’s always impressive to see that screaming isn’t just for the boys!

“Embrace hostility; forgive your enemies. Honor be to the king.”

This band isn’t afraid to tell you how they feel about their faith. They ended this album on a great note with that declaration of Jesus Christ as King.

When I heard the announcement of this release, I was so excited. I had heard good things about Diamonds To Dust. I heard that they can break it down, shred it and give it their absolute all. I had mentioned it last month that I believed Demon Hunter’s “There Was A Light Here” was the front-runner for album of the year, but there’s a good possibility that this could contend for that title. Between the aggressive nature and distortion that we hear on the guitars and Christian’s vocal scream range, the music matches the depth with the lyrical content, whether it is something simple as recognizing Jesus Christ as King or tackling some deep, difficult issues like child abuse, cancer and addiction. Diamonds To Dust showcases their musical and lyrical talent and should be recognized as a force to be reckoned with. This album is three years in the making and worth waiting for. If you’re looking for a band and album that will get you moving, Echoes of Grace and Strife is one to add to your playlist.

Rock The Halls: Our Five Favorite Christmas Albums

Forget silent nights; this year we’re talking about heavy metal holidays! In our household, we always enjoy listening to the sounds of the RadioU Christmas Channel. If you’re like us and you enjoy the heavier side of music, there are some really good Christmas selections out there. We decided to give you the 5 Christmas Albums (in no particular order) that are an absolute listen to this holiday season.

August Burns Red - Sleddin’ Hill

Released 2012 by Solid State Record

The first one is an obvious one, Sleddin’ Hill by August Burns Red. The annual tradition of ABR supplying the masses with Christmas music started in 2009 with the release of their version of “Carol of the Bells.” This version would go on to be used on advertisements and television shows. The band would continue to release Christmas singles until the demand grew from songs to a full-length album.

Sleddin’ Hill was released in 2012 and features 13 tracks, but the album would receive a re-release in 2013 (addition of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”) and again in 2014 (addition of “Joy to the World”). The album features holiday staples like “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph,” and “Little Drummer Boy.” There are also some original songs “Flurries” and “Sleddin’ Hill.” The album starts with the beautiful “Flurries” that provides a gentle but still rocky introduction to the album. This song always gets me in the Christmas mood. If you’re looking for an album that will offer a wide variety of instrumental incorporation along with melodic guitar riffs and blasting drum beats, this is an album to put on rotation while you’re trimming the Christmas tree.

Relient K - Let It Snow, Let It Reindeer

Released 2007 by Gotee Records

Next album comes from our favorite Ohio natives, Relient K. Let It Snow, Let It Reindeer is a holiday favorite both critically and commercially. It charted on the Billboard Top 200 chart (peaking at #96) and the Christian charts (peaking at #5 and ending 2008 at #28). Like Sleddin’ Hill, this album features covers of Christmas classics like “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “Handel’s Messiah.” The band brought their own originals with “Santa Claus Is Thumbing to Town,” “I Hate Christmas Parties” and “Boxing Day.” The band paid respect to the originals while also adding their creative and, at times, silly spin to them.

My personal favorite on this album is “I Celebrate the Day.” The lyrics are impactful with the lyrics “And the first time that you open your eyes did you realize that you would be my Savior?” Incredible line as it shows the sovereignty of Jesus as well as His humanity. Looking down at this precious little gift and realizing that He is going to be the Savior for millions, if not billions of people. If you want a little pop punk in your Christmas playlist, then you need to add Let It Snow, Let It Reindeer.

Various Artists - Happy Christmas, Volume 5

Released 2010 by Tooth & Nail Records

The third album on this list comes to us from Tooth & Nail Records with their compilation album, Happy Christmas Vol. 5. Honestly, we could’ve put any of the versions on this list, but this one gives us a great mixture of original and cover songs featuring a variety of Tooth & Nail artists. Some of the highlights include “The Wind” by Demon Hunter, “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by Sent by Ravens and “Zat U Santa Claus” by Neon Horse. I love that the album includes both of Trevor McNevan’s bands covering the Christmas classics “Heat Miser” with Thousand Foot Krutch and “Snow Miser” with FM Static. The album contrasts the two songs, allowing "Heat Miser" to crank up the heavy intensity while "Snow Miser" maintains a lighter, softer musical approach.

Every song gets better and better as you go through the track list. The different offerings feel like a musical smorgasbord as you get metal, rock and electronic. But those offerings are typical of what we get from the Happy Christmas variety. Sadly, this was the last offering in the series as we haven’t had a Happy Christmas since this release in 2010. It also is not available on Spotify, however there are several Youtube playlists that include every track on the album.

Various Artists - Midnight Clear

Released 2014 by Solid State Records

Similar to the previous Tooth & Nail compilation album, this next album features bands from Solid State Records. This album was released back in 2014 and it still hits just as hard as the day it was released. This features Solid State staples August Burns Red, Wolves at the Gate, Fit For A King and Becoming The Archetype as well as special guests For Today and Memphis May Fire. Even though I put Wolves at the Gate’s Lowborn EP on the honorable mention list, we still get an album on this list that features WATG’s “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “The King.”

This also features a fun and wild rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” by The Ongoing Concept. TOC is a chaotic metal band that reminds me so much of Josh Scogin and The Chariot. You also get a cover of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” by For Today that will pound your ear drums with metal breakdowns and brutal vocal presence of Mattie Montgomery. So many good songs that bring out the heavy metal side of Christmas. If you’re a metal head and you don’t have this on your playlist, please reconsider the choices you make in your life.

Family Force 5 - Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant

Released 2009 by Tooth & Nail Records

The last album on our list comes to us from southern family rockers, Family Force 5 with their one and only Christmas album Family Force 5’s Christmas Pageant. This was released back in October 2009 and released between their Dance or Die and III releases. This album also featured a tour that included House of Heroes, Remedy Drive and All Left Out. The boys experienced success with this release as it charted on Billboard Christian albums (peaked at #24) and Dance/Electronic album chart (peaked at #11).

Just as the other albums on this list, this album featured Christmas classics like “Carol of the Bells,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “My Favorite Things.” It also included original songs like “The Baby” and “It’s Christmas Day.” The latter song is uncharacteristic of the band as any avid listener recognizes the band’s sound as energetic, fun and making you want to dance. However, “It’s Christmas Day” is a song that slows down and while it’s not completely a ballad, there are some aspects of the song that make you reflect on the importance of family and knowing that you have people in your life that love you. Overall, it’s a great album that will make you get up and dance under the mistletoe!

While there were many albums we could have highlighted, these were our Top 5. Here’s some honorable mentions: X Christmas - Various Artists (released through BEC Recordings), Wolves at the Gate - Lowborn (features our favorite rendition of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus) and Happy Christmas Vol. 4 - Various Artists (BEC & Tooth and Nail Artists). 

It’s always fun to see your favorite bands make their own version of a Christmas classic or create their own original Christmas song. We at Solid Rock Unplugged enjoy this time of the year. Not only because of the music, but also because of the message of love, hope and peace that comes along with it. This season isn’t just about presents, food and parties. We have been given the greatest gift of all time through the birth of a Savior. We hope you enjoyed this list and everything else that we have offered this year. We want to wish you and everyone else a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in 2026!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:9-12 (NIV)

Testimony Of Apocalypse: “Agony in the Garden” Album Review

I love it when Christian metal bands can shred and blast while screaming out scripture-based lyrics. This is what we get from three-piece thrash metal band, Testimony of Apocalypse. Their third release, Agony in the Garden, comes to us from Roxx Records and is self-produced. Here’s what the band had to say on Bandcamp about the album’s theme:

“We chose Agony in the Garden as the heart of this album because it captures one of the most profoundly human and yet divine moments in Scripture. In Gethsemane, Jesus faced sorrow, betrayal and the crushing weight of what was to come. It was a place of struggle, but also of surrender.”

Agony in the Garden Album Review:

Tracks: 10

Length: 43:55

Release Date: October 31, 2025

Label: Roxx Records

It seems appropriate for the band to start the album, themed to Jesus’ time in the garden, with Adam and Eve’s betrayal in the Garden of Eden. Aptly titled, “Innocence Lost (Agony in the Garden I),” the song is focused on Eve taking that fateful bite out of the forbidden fruit. This song blends hair metal, thrash metal and post-hardcore into this song. I really enjoyed the chord progression on the electric guitars as they power the song through.

We journey from the Garden of Eden to the opening verses of John 1 in “Born Not of Blood.” I loved the complementary deep guttural growls with the clean vocals. For all tracks except track 7, the band brought on Cameron Nealey (of Diseased and Depraved) to shred on this album. Throughout the release, there are multiple times that Nealey’s guitar work is highlighted. For this song, the shrill and shred of the solo reminds me of what we would hear from Patrick Judge of The Showdown. Given the current climate, we often hear the accusations of Christian metal being satanic, but literally this song is pulling lyrics and inspiration from John 1. Love it!

As mentioned before, the guitar work is highlighted and the next song, “I Surrender” starts with a Nealey solo. At this point, it seems like there is no slowdown in this band. It goes from song to song with passion and energy. We are treated to those deep guttural growls and the high screams from Derek Corzine. This dynamic contrast created by the back-and-forth between the two vocalists really elevates the energy of the song.

“Refraction” is unique because it’s a slow burn track that eventually ignites. It still has that metal attitude with the distorted guitars and driving bass to keep it moving. It seems that each song has had a solo featuring Cameron. While he is talented, I think there can be too much of a good thing. I fear that the bass and drums can get lost when there’s too much focus on one area of the song.

Throughout Agony in the Garden, there are three songs that return to the garden. In the middle of the album, “To Face the Coming Storm (Agony in the Garden II),” is focused on Jesus pleading with His Father to avoid the cross. Lyrically, I appreciate how descriptive the lyrics are and they are so obviously  inspired by scripture.

Speaking of using the Bible correctly, that leads nicely into the next song, “Lost Species on the Earth.” The introduction has a very familiar tone to it. It sounds similar to that of the clean vocal style of Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter). I thought this was the first song that really showcased Paul Graham on the drums. The double bass adds some gruff to the song and helps drive the song. The lines, 

“Past emotions are drawn to the surface. Blaming the Creator. For the hurting within. Resentment unfolds and the hatred begins. Embrace the rot, let virtue die. As sin becomes your final cry.”

These lines have a sense of boldness when speaking about how people who have been hurt by the church and how they use that hurt to justify why they’ve either left the church or leaned into progressive Christianity.

The next song “Cross the River” is the only song on the album featuring a different lead guitarist This song features Ryan Roebuck from Motivik as lead shredder. The intro is structured to immediately get listeners headbanging. The grunging riffs of Nick Pacitti get the song moving, along with the clean vocals. Lyrically this has to be my favorite. The song is written about forgiving those who have caused you pain and to release that pain and resentment. Speaking as a person who has walked through this, I definitely see the benefit of forgiving those who have wronged you and not allowing that pain and resentment to fester. For me, I’m glad I crossed the river.

Something I appreciate about most Christian metal bands is that they don’t hold back lyrically. This song, “Settle Your Eternal Destination,” begs the question: “Do you know where you’re going when you die?: The lyrics,

“When you take your last breath eternity begins, where you spend existence entirely depends what you did with Jesus Christ.”

Along with the boldness and passion of the lyrics, this is another song that features the dueling guitars. There is something to appreciate when bands seem to showcase both guitarists and allow them to battle in the songs. You can hear the bass chugging along and is driven and played with passion. This seems to be a song meant for the bass.

At some point, the album has to take a bit of a break. We get that slowdown with “To Say Farewell.” While I describe it as a slowdown, it still packs a punch. There is a sense of familiar openings between this song and the first track, “Innocence Lost.” “To Say Farewell” offers a slowed down version with extra distortion than what we hear in “Innocence Lost.” I like the clean vocals on this song as it serves a break of deep guttural that we got throughout the album so far. Now as we’ve been moving through this album, it sounds like the message has been about moving closer towards Christ and this song serves as the baptism song. The lyrics are just resonating with those who have made that decision to follow after Jesus and see their lives forever changed. The influence for these lyrics come from 1 Corinthians 5:17 where we become a new creation, because the old has passed and the new is here.

The album wraps up with “Lost to the Flame (Agony in the Garden III).” The album starts in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve biting into the forbidden fruit and the album returns to the Garden in the last song. In this song, it’s a reflection on Satan scheming against God and his desire to separate the creation from the Creator. It is appropriate that the album has this message about drawing ourselves closer to God and recognizing Jesus as Christ and it ends with a message about the final battle. No matter what is said and what is told, Satan will NOT win the final battle. Cameron Nealey has shown throughout the album that he can shred and so why not hear him shred to close out the album. I thought the lines

“To be bound to the shadows in torment he sighs. Agony in the garden of fire where the darkness resides. His kingdom in ashes lost to the flame.”

How much more metal can you get in a song about Satan losing the final battle!

Overall, I thought Agony In The Garden was a decent album. It seems that every song featured a lengthy guitar solo, which is not a total negative, but it does diminish the specialty of having a guitar solo. There were a couple other songs where the bass and drums were highlighted and you can pick out the skillful abilities of Paul on drums and Derek on bass. Lyrically, I found the album to pull from the Scriptures and allow the inspiration to show the story. There were songs of betrayal and struggle to songs of triumph and rejoicing. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Testimony of Apocalypse and if thrash metal is something that you like and you’re looking for more than look no more than Testimony of Apocalypse!

Scarlet Letter Society: “Crazy” Album Review

Do you miss the era of bands that fused hip-hop and rock genres? Scarlet Letter Society is bringing that nostalgic sound to 2025. This fusion band from Florida originally banded together in 2013 for a one-night event but has blossomed into a five-piece, signed to Infiltrate Records earlier this year. The band re-released their album Crazy on the label on October 17th, after its original release back in April 2022.

Crazy Album Review:

Tracks: 10

Length: 47 minutes

Release Date: October 17, 2025

Label: Infiltrate Records

Kicking off the album is “I Will Go.” The song is a stylistic journey. Starting with a piano, it jumps into a guitar riff that reminds me of 80s metal along with Ozzy-esque vocals. Then takes a sharp turn into a rap reminiscent of Tedashii’s sound. With the song’s differing styles, it has a bit of an identity crisis. While it could benefit from some focus, the passion in the vocals are put on full display. You hear throughout the song about God’s love for the listener and the vocalist’s plea to be the messenger.

“Who paid it all for the lame and the lost? Took the shame on the cross. I will go.”

Next up is “Your Love is a Treasure.” This song proves the band has honed their signature style, featuring their catchy rap, heavy guitar riffs, and pop-melody chorus. The speed rap shows the talent and ability of lead singer Jevon’s vocals and that’s something to be appreciated. It has an incredibly catchy chorus, you can’t help but sing along!

“Straight Way” has a synth opening, reminiscent of a 90s sitcom theme song, with a dash of metal screams. This song goes from 90s pop to something reminiscent of Pax217 with the vocals and the rocky guitar riffs. This song had a bit of an identity crisis as well, between the synth pop, rap and hard rock.

The next song is a crowd favorite, “Amazing.” Within the first 30 seconds, you can see why it’s so popular. The music is fun and catchy, perfect for a summer car ride. When you’re listening and focusing on the vocals, you hear a message of recognizing God’s love for us. The raps on this song had a bit of a Lesile Odom or Lin-Manuel flair that you would hear in the hit musical “Hamilton.”This song could be a radio hit and was one of the highlights of the album!

We transition from one single to the next, with “Super Hero.” I thought that the techno and rock guitar riffs were a great start. The distortion on the guitar brings it with a flashback to some of the old nu-metal influences. A highlight is the vocals, powerful yet straightforward and very easy to follow. The chorus has an attitude that shows that this band isn’t afraid to write music that they can get behind and truly believe in.

“Tortured in death. Offered his life. Conquered my sin and saved my life.”

The spoken word section sends chills as the words reflect the story of Jesus Christ and what He did and went through on our behalf. I loved this touch to the song.

Scarlet Letter Society lists nu-metal as an influence in their music. If you remember nu-metal in the 2000s, P.O.D. is a part of that list. There were moments that “Seasons” gave me flashbacks to the sound that P.O.D. had out when they released “Testify.” It’s a very chill song with some serious rastafarian influences. 

We go from the chill sounds of “Seasons” to the very intense sound of “No.” The singer is going back and forth at the beginning weighing whether or not Christianity is worth it. I love the passion in this song as the singer is genuinely concerned with the listener hearing the gospel and the hope that comes through only Jesus Christ. Scarlet Letter Society is constantly blending different textures and creative elements in a way that just works.

When “Walk by Faith” starts, it sounds like the intro to a Metallica song: intense, grungy, and full of distortion. Then transition into the punk-esque gang vocals, with a 90s hair metal flair.

“We’re going to rock all day and rock all night! We’re going to blow up the devil with dynamite! Cuz we walk by faith and not by sight! We’re in the army of God! We will stand and fight!”

The boldness of the lyrics is something that I can picture being echoed by the audience in concert. I’ll give it to the band: every track has its own vibe, but they all share the same drive, and that's spreading the gospel.

We go to the title track off the album, “Crazy.” Lyrically, it has a very honest start. People look at Christians like we’re crazy and ask why we have this relentless belief in something that can’t be seen or heard. But, there’s something different. I loved the breakdown at the end as it offered something fresh on the record, but I would’ve liked a more brutal scream.

This album had those intense moments and it was a nice touch for the album to end on with “Adonai.” The song starts with a beautiful piano part before going into a catchy guitar riff. We noted this on Behold the Beloved’s album where the album ended with a worship song. I like it because it reminds the listener that the music can be fun and enjoyable and close on a reflective note of who’s worthy of it all. This was a great song to end on!

Crazy is totally unique and it’s been awhile since I listened to something that incorporated so many different styles. There were some songs that seemed like a melting pot of styles, begging the question “Is more better?” However, for the majority of this album, it worked and it was fun! Scarlet Letter Society is energetic and passionate. When a band can get passionate about their music and they have fun with it, it shines through on the recordings and in person. 

“Amazing”, “Super Hero,” and “Crazy” are perfect fits for Christian radio—they absolutely should be played. They offer something fresh and exciting to the Christian music scene. The lyrics are so honest and real—they might be a little overly earnest at times, but they come from a raw, genuine place. They offer questions and struggles, but demonstrate the power of the gospel. Crazy is an album that I could see youth groups having fun with and families dancing along to. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this five-piece from Jacksonville, Florida, I think that you should and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Hope Deferred: “Darkness Remains” Album Review

Earlier this year the news broke that David Burton, former lead vocalist of The Showdown, had joined forces with Hope Deferred, a death metal band. Hope Deferred features former members of The Famine and Embodyment along with David. They actually take their name from Proverbs, which reads "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (NASB). They released their newest album, Darkness Remains.This is an album centered around topics like false teachings, prosperity gospel and being bold in your faith. Going into this, I was curious how David’s southern scream would blend with Hope Deferred’s brutal deep death metal. But, honestly it was a match made in heaven.

Darkness Remains Album Review:

Tracks: 10

Length: 34 minutes

Release Date: October 31, 2025

Label: Charon Collective

Darkness Remains starts with a short intro, in “Void with No Voice,” that launches into a screeching guitar riff, accompanied by an equally brutal double pedal drum. It was impressive to hear David hit those low guttural growls. This leads to “Commanded to Kill,” the first single released. The drums were aggressive and unrelenting. The lyrics are so intense, but it provides honest disclosure about what happens when you oppose God. One section in particular drive this home:

“Burn the slaughtered. Trample the ash beneath. Wickedness will be purged from the face of the earth. Curse the ruins. Never again shall rise. Never oppose the one true God!”

The second single to be unveiled was the song "Brethren of Blood," a powerful track, accompanied by a lyric video to give listeners the full experience. This song is an encouragement to believers about giving it all to the faith.

“They can’t kill your soul. Death’s door yields the eternal. So, fear no more. Strength in your weakness. Give it all. Faith with no regrets.”

This song is an invitation to examine what’s holding you back from sharing your faith. The band is relentless between the punishing double bass pedal and blistering guitar riffs. But, that’s what you want out of a death metal album! This song continues that brutality as David’s vocals seem primed and ready for it. The opening to “Absent Souls” reminded me of the guitarwork from The Showdown. It seemed to be a mixture of southern and death metal. Another highlight is the drum work, not just in this song but the whole album. So fast and aggressive, but methodical. Every movement is thought out and precise.

“Whom Shall You Serve” is an absolutely fierce song with another shredder of a guitar solo. This album just continues to wow. Musically, “Inhumane World” leans darker, set apart by its fuller-sounding guitars, courtesy of Andy Godwin and Jon Tooley. The title track, “Darkness Remains,” kicks into high gear straight from the beginning, as the vocals come rushing right out of the gate along with the guitars. About halfway through, the tempo slows down enough for the audience to catch their breath.

“Avarice” is a flamethrower of a song. It’s non-stop. How David can maintain that brutal scream without slowing down is incredible. It proves that screaming involves much more technique and skill than most people think.  It takes a lot of finesse to maintain that scream, pulling it from the bottom of your diaphragm rather than the back of your throat, as some people would think. This song highlights David’s ability to scream and scream well. As intense as the music is, the lyrics are even more so. They target those who preach the prosperity gospel and honestly what they’re writing here is true. It’s selfishness and self-idolatry masking as a gospel.

“This is how my God works; offerings to release your healing. Let’s measure your faith by the things you gain. ‘Cause you know that cash is king.”

“When the cripple cries for comfort and the blind man beg to see, my anointed hands start shaking. It’s my time to shine. Roll film, ‘cause you don’t want to miss this.”

That last line, I felt it was a drop mic moment. These church leaders want to so badly be in front of the camera with their virtue signaling. But behind closed doors, the mask comes off and the wolf’s head rears its ugly head. Remind yourself what is the word that you are hearing on Sunday mornings? Is it one that is centered on the Word that was given to us by God or a word that is meant to lift man up rather than God?

When “Fail You” first started, I could’ve sworn that it was a Famine song based on the instrumentation, but David’s vocals roared in and you knew it was Hope Deferred. Just as the last song targets the prosperity gospel, this one targets those who fall to false teachers.

“The adversary walks through doors wide open. Willing to participate in mocking your reverence. Wheat from the chaff. Witness the threshing. Many are called, but few are chosen.”

The beginning of “Wrath’s Misery” was so massive that it sounded more like an introduction to an album than its closing statement. But it was a great song to end the album, closing on a positive note with a worship song, as strange as that may seem on a death metal album! The highlight is the passion that pours forth from the lyrics.

“Rocks will cry out. Mountains bow and lay their crown at His feet. Roaring of angels deafens disbelief. Mercy is balanced with wrath’s misery.”

“Kingdom, kingdom, awaited kingdom. Eternal presence. His purpose complete. Worship, worship, unending worship.”

This track offered a brilliant conclusion to a stellar album. It also powerfully illustrates that worship comes in all forms. It doesn’t have to be limited to songs written by Chris Tomlin or Brandon Lake or Hillsong. Worship can be found in songs in all styles, even in aggressive sounding death metal.

Darkness Remains is a great death metal experience, meeting every expectation for the genre from the first track to the last. It incorporates the screeching guitar riffs along with the relentless double bass pedal. Dave’s vocals fit in naturally with the band’s existing sound. The brutal music pairs well with the savage lyrics, tackling topics like false teachings, facing adversity and knowing that God will reign at the end of it all. If you enjoy the music and want to try to match the guitar or drum parts, you're in for a tough challenge!

If you liked The Famine and Embodyment, this is an album for you. While I really enjoyed it, it didn’t have a stand out moment. The riffs were great and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing David brutalize the microphone once more, but it didn’t keep drawing me back in. There are some albums out there that you just need to put on repeat and with that said, I’m giving Darkness Remains a four out of five.

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!

THROWBACK - Pillar: “Where Do We Go From Here” Album Review

In the early 2000s, Christian rock was on the rise with bands like Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pax 217 and others making their way up the charts. On the forefront was Pillar, a four-piece Christian rock band out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who burst out on the scene with Fireproof in 2002 and then again with the release of Where Do We Go From Here in 2003. Pillar is a Christian rock band that incorporated some hip-hop into the earlier projects, but would evolve their style into a complete rock sound. They would experiment with incorporating different musical elements, like a drawn out, southern rock guitar riff that we heard on The Reckoning or a systematic pop rock sound that we heard on Confessions. On Where Do We Go From Here, they unleash that signature rock sound you can't help but sing along to.

The build up to this album was memorable. Pillar released the Broken Down EP about six months before and it featured the early mix of their first single off the new album, “Bring Me Down.” This song was everywhere! It was featured on the EP, they were playing it live on tour, and it was a highlight of other compilation CDs. The excitement built to a frenzy leading to the album release, for good reason! I honestly believe that this is one of Pillar’s best releases. It featured two number one singles in “Bring Me Down” and “Frontline” and kicked off a headlining tour with Project 86, Falling Up and Subseven that included a stop in Lancaster County.

Where Do We Go From Here Album Review

Tracks: 12 (14 on the Limited Edition)

Length: 42 minutes

Release Date: June 15, 2004

Label: Flicker

The first song, “Hypnotized,” kicks off the album with a bang, featuring an incredible, recognizable opening groove. Rob’s melodies weave in and out of Noah’s driving guitar riffs and Kalel’s dynamic bass lines. The momentum is sustained between the rhythmic guitar in the first track to the aggressive, in-your-face rock riffs heard in the next song, “Bring Me Down.” As mentioned earlier, this song was everywhere. Compilation CDs, video game soundtracks, music video countdowns. This song highlights Rob’s screams, Noah’s thunderous guitar hooks and Lester’s masterwork on the drums. It  shows how Pillar continues to develop their sound from where they were with Fireproof to where they are with “Bring Me Down.”

With its driving chorus, 'Holding On' is a song that immediately gets your head bobbing. In contrast, “Let It Out” seems to do the opposite. It’s not exactly a power ballad, but it provides a quiet intro with a mellow guitar riff until it launches into a rocky push in the chorus, where the audience is encouraged to cry out to God asking where He is in the midst of frustrating times. The chorus encourages the audience to shout along with the catchy chorus:

“Let it out, can you hear me? Can you hear me cry? Let it out, don’t hold back! All this I got inside.”

We move from the anguish of wondering where God is in the troubles, to screaming out about how God’s unrelenting love is there for us despite our mistakes. “Simply” is that anthem. The passion in Rob’s voice pushes that message of God’s desire for His creation. Three simple words are the focus of this song, “You Simply Love.” The album continues with “Rewind,” a song that holds a very personal connection for me, as it was played at my uncle’s funeral.  A beautifully written ballad, the song explores the desire to travel back in time to correct past mistakes and acknowledge the impact of our actions, even to our Father in heaven. The emotion of the lyrics is carried in the musicianship of the song, with soaring guitar licks, melodic fingerwork in the verses, and heavy rhythm guitar in the chorus. 

Next is “Frontline,” standing out as one of the album’s most popular tracks. This song was used for the Battlecry rallies with TeenMania and is overall a driving force to encourage people to be there on the frontline, standing up for their faith. 

“Everybody, with your fists raised high, let me hear your battlecry tonight! Stand beside, or step aside, we’re on the frontline!”

This song serves as the album's climax, fueled by its aggressive guitar and energetic vocals. This includes a fierce scream at the highest point in this song that would send any mosh pit into full gear.

The album keeps rocking with “Underneath It All.” I appreciate the portion of this song where the drums are highlighted and the depth that you hear in Lester’s musical ability. “Dirty Little Secret” starts with a quick tempo and deals with the heavy topic of pornography. The song focuses on the feeling that we are isolated in our sins. Rob highlights this mindset with the lines,

“You’ve got this dirty little secret. You’re trying hard to keep it. Out of sight, out of mind. But you can’t hide.”

If this is something that you are struggling with, there are resources available. Freedom Fight is one resource aimed at helping men break through. Hopefully this song is a powerful reminder that you are not alone in your struggles and you can break free. 

As the album wraps up, with “Staring Back,” “One Thing” and “Aftershock,” these songs have a tendency to overlap in style and tempo. Little details separate the songs, whether it's the distortion on the guitar riffs in “One Thing” or the unique drum pattern in “Staring Back.'“ Overall these three songs kept the energy progressing and ended the album on a good note. I remember in the build up to the release of this album, the band teased that there was a hidden track after one of the songs. At the end of “One Thing,” we found ourselves hearing Noah hammering out a blistering guitar solo that shows off his technical prowess.

Though Fireproof was a tough act to follow, Where Do We Go From Here proves to be a more than suitable successor. While Fireproof featured a gritty sound, Where Do We Go From Here offers a cleaner tone that still delivers the same energy and rock-out factor. Pillar would continue to experiment with their sound on the next album, The Reckoning, where they unleashed “Tragedy,” a track that consisted of almost entirely raw screamed vocals. "The change was short-lived; after one album, they returned to their signature style—the one that secured them video game soundtrack spots and radio time with For The Love of the Game. As for Where Do We Go From Here, it received mostly positive reviews with some critics responding positively, but others thought the album was good, but nothing special. They would also release a limited edition of this album that featured a remixed version of “Bring Me Down” and their cover of “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

The main question I seek to answer is: “Does this album hold up over time?” Released over twenty years ago, this album is a time capsule—you can put it on and be immediately taken back in time to hear some great rock. The lyrics are catchy and make it impossible not to sing along. The guitar riffs are methodical and powerful, a force to be reckoned with. Personally, this is one of my all-time favorite albums and for those who miss the great sounds of Christian rock in the mid-2000s, Where Do We Go From Here holds up remarkably twenty years after its release.

Demon Hunter: “There Was A Light Here” Album Review

Demon Hunter has cemented themselves as one of top bands in Christian metal. Whether it’s the bold lyrics or gut-wretching guitar riffs, these guys have delivered incredible music for 25 years. I remember in 2007, Revolver Magazine released a story that featured four frontmen and their respective bands. One of those bands was Demon Hunter. Still one of my favorite magazine covers of all-time, as it featured four of the biggest bands in Christian metal.

Fast forward 18 years, Demon Hunter just released their latest addition to their discography with There Was A Light Here. To be honest, I stopped listening to Demon Hunter after they released The World is A Thorn. It wasn’t because I disliked the new material, but just like the weather, musical tastes come in seasons.

There Was A Light Here Album Review

Tracks: 12

Length: 56 minutes

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Label: Weapons MFG

After taking the time to listen to this new album, it’s safe to say that DH hasn’t lost a single step. The first track, “My Place in the Dirt” eases in with an eerie, gothic instrumental, reminiscent of the intros on The World is A Thorn and Storm the Gates of Hell. The album roars on with “Sorrow Light the Way.” Ryan Clark continues to show why he’s one of the best frontmen in the metal scene, executing seamless transitions from clean vocals to powerful screams. Among many great lyrics comes this gut-wrenching line from Ryan:

“I just watched my mother die. So, forgive me if I haven’t the want for this weight.” 

This leads to an incredibly heavy breakdown, which mirrors the heavy topic of death and losing a parent.

“Light Bends” has a unique, entertaining intro with an electrical, almost 8-bit vibe. The bass and drums drive this song and after diving deeper into the lyrics, this song is focused on leaning towards God taking the weight of everything onto His shoulders. Opening with a chunky guitar rhythm, “The Pain in Me Is Gone” is another song that highlights the talent of Jon Dunn on bass. My only critique of this song is how repetitive the chorus became.

The album continues with songs like “By A Thread,” “I’m Done” and “Ouroboros.” There’s a gothic influence that permeates this record, which is very apparent in the opening to “By A Thread.” Throughout this song, I enjoyed it as the screams seemed to be on rhythm with the drums. The guitar work on the track “I’m Done” is fantastic; it’s catchy, headbang-worthy, and wouldn’t sound out of place on the radio. “Ouroboros” sounds like a traditional Demon Hunter song with a mixture of screams and clean vocals. There is a slight part where I heard a hint of the guitar whine that was commonly heard in The Showdown’s music. Patrick Judge used to be the lead guitarist for The Showdown before jumping over to DH.

If you remember Storm the Gates of Hell, I’m sure you remember “Carry Me Down.” There’s a similar, familiar tone to the song “Breaking Through Me.”. As the album continues to convey a message of leaning on God in a time of grief, this song emphasizes that message with the lyrics, 

“I know your peace when it’s found me. Tear my sorrow to pieces.” 

“Overwhelming Closure” has a great guitar drive, lending to the pace of the album. “Hang the Fire” opens with a scream and methodical guitar riffs that push a constant beat. Lyrically, this has to be one of my favorites on the album.

“You know this world is your ending. No crown in defending your way. I hear your grave in the distance.”

To me, this line conveys a message of the battle between good and evil. It’s a battlecry knowing that despite the best efforts of the enemy, he will fall. Ryan continues to masterfully write these lyrics that speak on spiritual warfare. His boldness in his faith is encouraging to me, to see his faith put on display. 

The album offers a dynamic change of pace with “Reflected”,” introducing a grunge vibe with the mellow guitar riffs that are reminiscent of Nirvana and Alice in Chains. It’s a nice change musically, as it breaks things up and keeps the album fresh. Some metal albums have a tendency to blend together and you have a hard time differentiating between songs. But when you get a song that breaks that up, it really prevents the songs from blurring together.

This leads to the grand finale, “There Was A Light Here.” This song is a stunning, emotional ballad written in dedication to Ryan’s mother. The lyrics and simple guitar riff create this hauntingly beautiful melody. The song swells to a climax with a background choir, then slowly fades out. It’s raw and honest, the perfect track for a memorial, offering comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one. This is a great song to help with the grieving process and a powerful way to end the album.

Overall, There Was A Light Here is a superb album. Given that I haven’t listened to much Demon Hunter for a while, I was surprised to hear mostly clean vocals over screams. I think that Ryan is one of those guys that blends those contrasting vocals so well. The band overall continues to deliver what fans expect with the deep riffs that show their passion in their music and their excitement in what they’re putting out. These guys know what they’re doing and show why they’re considered one of the best in Christian metal. I loved this album. Ryan wrote this out of a place of sorrow and mourning, but his faith was put on display as a conqueror. This is an aggressive album in both sound and lyrics, and it's certainly worthy of being added to your road trip playlist.

Wolves At The Gate: “Wasteland” Album Review

For years, Wolves At The Gate has dominated the Christian metal genre. Hailing from Ohio, the five piece metal band released their sixth album, Wasteland in May. This is their first venture into crafting a hard-hitting, immersive concept album, which follows a musical journey through a dystopian society while wrestling with the concept of sin. Ultimately, they find redemption and hope, while in a world filled with pain and suffering. 

I had the pleasure of seeing them live at Uprise Festival last year, where they debuted multiple songs off this record. The same energy and hard hitting messages that were felt during that performance were transcribed perfectly onto this album. They have become a mainstay in the Christian metal scene and Wasteland just adds to an already impressive catalogue

Wasteland Album Review

Tracks: 13

Length: 35 minutes

Release Date: May 30, 2025

Label: Solid State Records

The “INT[r]O” sets the dystopian tone of the album, starting with an eerie and unsettling guitar riff, leading right into hard hitting “(The Wasteland) PAIN.” It has the familiar sound of a Wolves at the Gate song, with passionate lyrics crafted by both Nick and Steve pouring themselves into writing this first song. I love the line: 

“Why are we shocked by the dark of this age? Hearts made for beauty are poisoned with rage…Against our Maker, we’re poisoned with rage.” 

This song shines a mirror on the state of our current society. We have drifted away from God and His true purpose. This theme weaves throughout the entire album, the idea that living without God, living in sin, is comparable to living in a wasteland.  The album continues with “Parasite", a heavy guitar and dynamic vocal driven track.  Just like “(The Wasteland) PAIN,” the well crafted lyrics drive home the grim wasteland/sin comparison.

When I heard the song “Synthetic Sun” for the first time, I almost thought it was a Linkin Park song. From the drum-heavy intro to the grungy guitar riffs, this is sure to get the crowd moving in live concerts!  There were times when I was impressed with the quick-fire pacing of Nick’s screams to match Steve’s melody, which seemed to draw comparisons to Chester and Mike of Linkin Park.

To keep the listener immersed in their dystopian world, Wolves At The Gate uses interludes to connect songs. “Wandering,” “Withering,” “Wasting,” and "Wanting” are instrumentals filled with dystopian synths, reminiscent of an end-of-the-world sci-fi movie. Along with these electronic samples, spoken word portions help push the storyline through from song to song. 

Progressing through Wasteland, “Law of the (Waste) Land” will definitely get the pit moving in their live shows. Whether you like old fashioned moshing or getting in a little two-step hardcore dancing, the dynamic riffs and double bass would suit either fancy. “Smoke (False Devils)” and “Death Clock” are fast paced songs that showcase the musical and lyrical talent that WATG offers. The driven basslines and melodic riffs will be sure to have you headbanging along. These songs translate very well from a recorded album to live concerts. Aside from the musical talent, the lyrics that Steve writes makes you ponder and question what you’re doing with your life.

Moving towards the end of the album, the constant message leading up to this point is how can there be any hope in this wasteland? Where is the good amongst the destruction? We are self-destructive and in need of something to believe in. “Wasting” brings the transition in the theming with the spoken word, “another voice sings a chorus of hope.” This leads into “Memento Mori,” which is a passionate plea for the gospel.

“You could never go too far away from the hands that hold our sorrows. You feel the walls closing in, but you are not alone.” 

Every time I’ve seen WATG live, Steve has always given a passionate plea for people to turn to the gospel and devoting their lives to Jesus Christ. This is the mission and vision of WATG, to see people come to know Christ and have Him change everything about their life. The album ends with “Unrest.” From the opening scream to Steve’s smooth voice, this song starts out aggressively to smoothing out, as if the listener was caught in the struggle between leaving and going back to the wasteland. I love the lines in this song about the hope that we find in Christ: 

“Come out of the wasteland. I’ll take you by my hand. I know your heart is pressed. So come to me and find your rest.” 

We’re not perfect. We still struggle. But, God knows this and He is there for us. In the moments when we struggle, those are moments we need to reach out to God and ask for help.

Overall, Wasteland is one of the best records of the year. Wolves at the Gate is unapologetically passionate about what they believe in. They’re not pushy, but they certainly want you to know that they believe in God, while offering that hope to others. In this album, Steve and Nick prove why they are incredible writers. Each song packs a punch, encouraging us to examine ourselves and our willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to come in and change our lives.

If you get a chance this fall, they’re setting out on tour with Emery for select dates, so catch them on the road. Be sure to take the time to listen to this album, because every single second is worth listening to! It’s got everything, from distorted riffs that make you want to move, to grooves that will get you bouncing. They took a risk with a concept album and it paid off perfectly! I would give this album 5 out of 5 stars. Great lyrics, great music, great concept. Loved every single minute of it!

Confessions Of A Traitor: ‘This Pain Will Serve You’ Album Review

A lot has happened for Confessions Of A Traitor (COAT), a 4-piece U.K. metal band, since their 2019 viral “Breakfast Breakdowns” video, where they screamed lyrics over pancakes & sausage for patrons of a local Romanian restaurant. They were signed to Facedown Records, released two albums and toured across the U.S. & U.K. They recently wrapped up a summer tour with Bloodlines, Meadows and No Treaty, supporting their latest release, This Pain Will Serve You.

Just dropped in May, this metalcore album features 11 tracks and multiple contributors, ranging from Tommy Green, of HolyName, Trevor Tyson, of Heal The Hurt, to the nu-metal sounds of fellow Brits, Black Coast. This is their sophomore release on Facedown, following Punishing Me Before God Does.

The Pain Will Serve You Album Review

Tracks: 11

Length: 36 minutes

Release Date: May 16, 2025

Label: Facedown Records

Since its release in May, The Pain Will Serve You has been the go-to Christian metal album of the summer. The band uses haunting melodies and gritty lyrics to draw the listener into a deeper dialogue about grief, religious abuse, and self-worth, while maintaining a message of hope and redemption. The album starts off strong with its first three tracks, “Starve,” “Fatal Frame” and “Doomsayer.” From the very first note, “Starve” serves as a great introduction to this album: fast, aggressive and shares a great message of perseverance.

“Through trials, your strength will shine through and one day this pain will serve you.”

As soon as the last notes of “Starve” fade, the album flows right into “Fatal Frame,” which packs the same punch as “Starve.” These two songs help set the stage for the rest of the album, with its fast pacing and gut-wrenching lyrics. Confessions of a Traitor doesn’t seem to want to slow down, with the guitars pushing through and the breakdowns at the end of this song compelling you to headbang, no matter where you are.

Another highlight of the album is “Still Haunted.” This song features the clean vocals of Tommy Green from Sleeping Giant and HolyName along with the scream vocals of Trevor Tyson of Heal The Hurt. I would describe it as a Beauty & Beast song. You have the gentle and soft, clean vocals from Tommy paired with the harsh screams of both Trevor and Stephen. I couldn’t stop playing this song on repeat!

“Hail Mary” grabbed my attention with it’s deep and painful meaning. It’s unfortunate that we live in a broken world. While the church is supposed to be a safe space, there are those who do harm under the name of Christianity. In this song, Convictions Of A Traitor goes after those who abuse, but hide behind the name of God. To tackle this heavy topic, they called in the guys from Convictions to assist with brutal screams and heavy riffs.

The last two songs I want to point out on this record are “Let It Consume Me” and “The Sins I’ve Yet to Answer For.” I enjoyed the synth at the beginning of “Let It Consume Me” as it offered something different from the rest of the album. What really caught my attention, besides the contribution of Leroy Hamp (War of Ages), were the lyrics:

“Created in his image, but I despise mine. This is sacrilege of the divine. Within this battle, I’ll find self affection. You’ll never see the hate I hold within, I’m a hostage in my skin.”

Those lyrics pull no punches, with the message focused on how often we hate ourselves. We put ourselves lowly and wonder “how could God love us?” But this key moment creates the transition to “The Sins I’ve Yet to Answer For.” The song continues the message from “Let It Consume Me” with a strong focus on our shortcomings. But at the end of the song, Stephen screams, 

“My heavy heart, rotten to the core. With these sins I’ve yet to answer for. From a wretch’s cry, forgiveness hails. One cross, three nails.” 

Great way to end a song - to go from utter rottenness to a chance for redemption!

Overall, this was a fantastic album to listen to. If you’re looking for an album to rock out to while you’re at the gym or if you just need a good headbanging, this is that album! A great follow-up to their Facedown debut. There were moments of high energy and moments where they would slow things down, like the opening to “Doomslayer.” Each song brought its own momentum that continued to build upon itself and put together one of the best albums of the year. 

My one critique is while there were many highs, there were some songs that were indistinguishable from each other. This is a common thread in metal, where songs tend to run together, but there were definitely some stand out moments in this album. All in all, I’m giving This Pain Will Serve You a 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out Confessions of a Traitor

To dive deeper into Confessions of a Traitor, check out their website, or look them up on Instagram or Facebook.