Archives July 2025

Christian Metal Album of the Year 2024


Ben Schlichter complied this list-

Votes for Album of the year. Each person was given 5 votes, and there were a few situations where there were vote dumps for 1 album, none others in quick succession that were de-duped. #1 Stryper – When We Were Kings / To Hell With Amps (Votes – 209)
#2 Whitecross – Fear No Evil (Votes – 127)
#3 Convictions – The Fear of God (Votes – 115)
#4 POD – Veritas (Votes – 112)

#5 Skillet – Revolution (Votes – 102)
#6 Saint – Immortalizer (Votes – 101)
#7 Impellitteri – War Machine (Votes – 70)
#8 Flood – Ripped Into Exile (Votes – 67)
#9 Human Code – Break the Silence (Votes – 66)
#10 Ben Baruk – Cosmogony (Votes – 63)
#11 Project 86 – OMNI (Votes – 62)
#12 Seventh Day Slumber – Fractured Paradise (Votes – 62)
#13 Project 86 – OMNI, Pt 2 (Votes – 61)
#14 Motivik – Renouncement (Votes – 60)
#15 America Inc – America Inc (Votes – 52)
#16 Spoken – Reflection (Votes – 52)
#17 Shining Force – Spiritual Warfare (Votes – 51)
#18 Perpetual Legacy – Teodrama (Votes – 50)
#19 Slechtvalk – At Death’s Gate (Votes – 50)
#20 Allos – Strong Delusion (Votes – 45)
#21 Kalamity Kills – Kalamity Kills (Votes – 40)
#22 All for the King – Darkest Before Dawn (Votes – 35)
#23 Exodus Rising – The Book of Life Pt. 1 (Votes – 34)
#24 The Brave – Carnival of Sins (Votes – 32)
#25 Antidemon – Convergence (Votes – 30)
#26 UnWorthy – This Present Darkness (Votes – 30)
#27 Heal the Hurt – Heal the Hurt (Votes – 29)
#28 Lightworker – Beautiful Decay (Votes – 27)
#29 Mohler – Above All (Votes – 26)
#30 Harpazo – The Crucible (Votes – 24)
#31 InnerWish – Ash of Eternal Flame (Votes – 22)
#32 Teramaze – Eli: A Wonderful Fall from Grace (Votes – 22)
#33 Symphony of Heaven – Ordo Aurum Archeia (Votes – 21)
#34 Cleansing of the Temple – The Devil Knows My Name (Votes – 20)
#35 Desolate Tomb – Scorned By Misery (Votes – 20)
#36 FaithHead – The Horror of Things to Come (Votes – 20)
#37 Leah – The Glory and the Fallen (Votes – 19)
#38 Millennial Reign – World on Fire (Votes – 19)
#39 My Epic – Loriella (Votes – 18)
#40 Trebuchet SDG – Through The Dark Ages (Votes – 17)
#41 Meadows – Familiar With Pain (Votes – 16)
#42 Opus Irae – Into the Endless Night (Votes – 16)
#43 Immortal Souls – Cold Sounds (Votes – 15)
#44 Islander – Grammy Nominated (Votes – 14)
#45 Warlord – Free Spirit Soar (Votes – 14)
#46 Glae – Human Condition (Votes – 13)
#47 Sunbomb – Light Up the Sky (Votes – 13)
#48 ANETTE OLZON – Rapture (Votes – 12)
#49 Karv – What the Dunes Have Hidden (Votes – 11)
#50 Not Of This World – I Am With You (Votes – 11)
#51 TAKE – Time Bomb (Votes – 11)
#52 Tierra Vacia – Rumble (Votes – 11)
#53 At The Cross – Sword Of The Spirit (Votes – 10)
#54 Shamash – Done With Misery (Votes – 10)
#55 The Forerunner – Deceptions (Votes – 10)
#56 Hell’s Enemy – Hymns of Eternal Victory (Votes – 9)
#57 Afflicted Truth – The Seeking of Redemption (Votes – 8)
#58 Duister Maanlicht – Woud Van De Kwade Geest (Votes – 8)
#59 Pneuma Coffer – Garden of Wither (Votes – 8)
#60 Xaphon – Heights Of The Far North (Votes – 8)
#61 His Name Alone – Multiple Albums (Votes – 7)
#62 THOMAS THOMPSON EARTH PROJECT – Resurrection (Votes – 7)
#63 Dawnbreaker – Banisher of Unlight (Votes – 6)
#64 Fire from Heaven – Multiple Albums (Votes – 6)
#65 Lordchain – The Chastisment of Our Peace (Votes – 6)
#66 Tortured Conscience – One Law, One King (Votes – 6)
#67 Warpriest – Gloombreaker (Votes – 6)
#68 Brad Smith – Broken Bones & Bullet Holes (Votes – 5)
#69 Connor Payne – Repent! For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand (Votes – 5)
#70 Eonia – Passing (Votes – 5)
#71 Extinction of Ba’al – Entering Ancient Ages of Idolatry (Votes – 5)
#72 One King (Votes – 5)
#73 TRANSCENDENT – Awaken (Votes – 5)
#74 Bloodcrown – Sound of Flesh and Bone (Votes – 4)
#75 Bond of Iniquity – Let Us Go (Votes – 4)
#76 Eternal Gaze – Winter’s Womb (Votes – 4)
#77 Grave Forsaken – Moment In Time (Votes – 4)
#78 Herfstdood – Lijdensweg (Votes – 4)
#79 Our Blessed Hope – Flames of Fire (Votes – 4)
#80 That We May Die With Him / Revelation Metal (Votes – 4)
#81 Gnadenthron – Verhei​ß​ung (Votes – 3)
#82 Iron 501 – Thin Blue Line (Votes – 3)
#83 Latter Reign – Order to Chaos (Votes – 3)
#84 LEGACY – Hello (Votes – 3)
#85 Legend Revisited – From the Lord (Votes – 3)
#86 New World (Votes – 3)
#87 Within Power – The Eclipse of Worlds (Votes – 3)
#88 Discriptor – Vainglory (Votes – 2)
#89 Embers of Eternity – The Voice Of Fire (Votes – 2)
#90 Givre – Le Cloître (Votes – 2)
#91 Holy Devastation – Holy Devastation (Votes – 2)
#92 A Sight in Veracity – Trivial Imagination (Votes – 1)
#93 At Hand – This Sickness Is Not Unto Death (Votes – 1)
#94 Gory SDG – Multiple Albums (Votes – 1)
#95 My Darkest Time – Fragile (Votes – 1)
#96 Victual Flesh – Multiple Albums (Votes – 1)

EP Of the Year Voting:
#1 Bloodlines – Holiness Cries (Votes – 150
#2 Leviticus – MMXXIV (Votes – 108)
#3 Brotality – It Feeds / Bones of God (Votes – 68)
#4 No Treaty – Sound the Trumpet (Votes – 66)
#5 Burial Extraction – Expelled (Votes – 60)
#6 Saved by Skarlet – Creation and Crisis (Votes – 46)
#7 Diamonds to Dust – Temporary Affliction (Votes – 44)
#8 REFORMED – Thus Saith The Lord (Votes – 32)
#9 Taking the Head of Goliath – Futility of the Flesh (Votes – 30)
#10 Majesty – Exaltation I-IV (Votes – 18)
#11 A Secret Ending – Hell Quakes: Chapter II (Votes – 16)
#12 Celestial Chaos – Divine Retribution (Votes – 16)
#13 Cannibalistic – Ascension (Votes – 12)
#14 Every Thought Captive – Eternal Conscious Punishment (Votes – 12)
#15 This Surrender – Echoes (Votes – 10)
#16 Altarheart – Creatures Here Below (Votes – 8)
#17 I Am the Pendragon – Revisionist History (Votes – 6)
#18 Before there Was Rosalyn – Hypocrites / As Far as The (Votes – 4)
#19 Classic Disaster – Too Blind to See (Votes – 4)
#20 Daygraves – Upstate Tape (Votes – 4)
#21 Forfeit Thee Untrue – Gather The Broken (Votes – 4)
#22 Strixskog – Through the Raging Seas / Slaughtered (Votes – 4)
#23 Anathoth – Eternidad (Votes – 2)
#24 Enduring Revery – Staring Into Light (Votes – 2)
#25 GratitudeTX – Reap & Sow / Thorn (Votes – 2)
#26 Zebulon – Desolation I (Votes – 2)

Signum Regis – The Eyes of Power (Remixed & Remastered 2025)

 Beyond the Storm Productions | CD, Digital | May 23, 2025

With their second full-length album getting a serious sonic facelift, Signum Regis have done far more than dust off a deep cut from their catalog. The Eyes of Power, originally released in 2010, now returns with a full-blown remixed and remastered edition—and the result is a bold reintroduction to one of their most ambitious and aggressive works.

Rooted in the rich and often brutal tapestry of the ancient Roman world, the album weaves historical storytelling into a high-powered metal framework. This isn’t just history—it’s history set on fire. Vocal legend Göran Edman (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen’s band) is in top form here, bringing gravitas and grit to every track. His voice cuts like a sword, majestic one moment and raging the next. You’d be hard-pressed to find a heavier album in his discography.

The production upgrade is a game-changer. Guitarist Filip Koluš went back and re-recorded all the rhythm guitars, bringing the tone up to modern standards with sharp, saturated crunch. The mix is clean and thunderous—breathing new life into songs like “Dura Europos” and “Oathbreaker,” where speed and precision collide with dark melodic drama. Even longtime fans will be surprised by how fresh these tracks sound today.

Instrumental centerpiece “The Underground Temples of Mithras” still mystifies, creating an atmospheric pause in the chaos with eerie textures and epic build-ups. And the lyrics across the board? Rich with historical and spiritual resonance, appealing to both metalheads and ancient history buffs alike.

And then there’s that cover art—a wild, apocalyptic vision brought to life by Uwe Jarling, whose previous work has adorned albums by Grave Digger and Mystic Prophecy. A giant serpent slithers through the fray, Roman soldiers fall mid-battle, a war elephant crashes forward, and a king raises his sword in divine defiance. It doesn’t just set the stage—it tells the story. Every inch of it pulses with the same cinematic energy and mythic weight as the music itself.

With The Eyes of Power, Signum Regis have reclaimed one of their strongest records and reintroduced it with fire and finesse. This is power metal with purpose—crafted for listeners who love technical chops, historical storytelling, and spiritual intensity. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the band, this re-release makes a convincing case for why this album still matters.


For fans of: Symphony X, Kamelot, Masterplan, Yngwie Malmsteen, and concept albums with brains and brawn.
Don’t miss: “Dura Europos,” “Mystical Majesty,” “The Underground Temples of Mithras”

Epic Bard – A Different View

Only One Records, November 11, 2024
Genre: Progressive Metal, Symphonic Rock, Christian Metal
Format: CD, Digital

There’s a certain boldness required to take the name Epic Bard. It implies storytelling, adventure, and something larger than life. With A Different View, Conroe, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist Jens Jorgensen fulfills that vision. His second full-length album under the Epic Bard name builds on the reflective tone of Falls Like Rain, delivering tighter songwriting, increased variety, and a distinct blend of intensity and sincerity.

The album flows as a personal and spiritual journey, each track exploring themes of doubt, insight, and renewal. It opens with Corinthians, a brief but high-energy track with a punk rhythm and punchy drum work.

Impossible Your Truth keeps the punk-influenced feel and adds fast metal riffs, creating a sharp edge and strong momentum early in the album. Deep Down Inside slows the tempo at first, gradually building into a layered composition with emotional pacing. Its structure reflects an inner tension that resolves as the song progresses.

Take A Moment moves quickly with bursts of energy and a slower breakdown that invites reflection. The track includes some of the album’s harsher background vocals, adding contrast and texture. Lyrically, it offers memorable wisdom: we cannot grow when we think we’re in control.

Chaff in the Wind delivers one of the standout lyrical moments with the line, “You are so close, Father, Son, Holy Ghost.” The song blends a reverent tone with melodic phrasing, supported by deliberate pacing and strong lead vocals.

Father of Lies brings the tempo up again with assertive riffing and a darker tone. The arrangement is punchy and driven, adding contrast to the album’s more contemplative sections.

We Can Make It follows with groove-oriented guitar work and layered melodies. The tone leans positive, and the vocal arrangement reinforces a message of persistence and encouragement.

Midnights to Mornings stands out musically with its groovy basslines and smooth transitions. The guitar work is tasteful and expressive, helping to carry the emotional weight of the track.

Dream of Deception raises the intensity with a faster pace and tight execution. It builds urgency and energy, fitting for its themes of disillusionment and inner conflict.

The album closes with Surfside Strut, a laid-back surf rock instrumental that ends the record on a playful and relaxed note. It provides a unique contrast to the rest of the album and leaves the listener with a sense of movement and clarity.

The production is clean and intentional. Jorgensen achieves strong balance across guitars, synths, bass, and drums. His vocal mix is clear and accessible throughout, allowing both lyrics and melodic lines to connect without distraction.

Visually, the album’s artwork supports the core message. Light breaking into a darkened room suggests that perspective can change everything. It is a visual cue to the listener that the album’s title is both an invitation and a challenge.

Epic Bard continues to evolve, and A Different View represents a confident step forward. It is musically diverse, lyrically thoughtful, and unafraid to blend grit with grace.


Track Highlights:
Impossible Your Truth – punk energy with fast metal riffs
Take A Moment – powerful pacing with dynamic vocal textures
Chaff in the Wind – poetic worship anchored by melody
Midnights to Mornings – groovy basslines and expressive transitions
Surfside Strut – an instrumental closer with surf rock charm

RIYL: Neal Morse, Theocracy, Saviour Machine, Kerry Livgren, Glass HammerListen and Learn More:
Bandcamp:
https://epicbard.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-view
YouTube (Full Album Playlist): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYFOg-7Wor0&list=OLAK5uy_m-Con0oupvzFBpcc2diqTT4x

A Decade of Christian Rock and Metal on Tour (1995–2005)

A Look Back at the Genre-Spanning Tours That Defined an Era


Introduction

The period from 1995 to 2005 was a transformative era for Christian rock and metal music. It was during this time that I became deeply immersed in the scene. My first concert was Ray Boltz, followed by Carman, which opened the door to bands like Audio Adrenaline, The O.C. Supertones, DC Talk, and many more. I discovered bands such as Living Sacrifice, P.O.D., Project 86, Gospel Gangstaz, and MxPx on VHS tapes (who remembers those?) at my youth group.

One of my all-time favorite memories is the 2001 “Your New Empire Tour” featuring Project 86, Stavesacre, and Living Sacrifice. Three of my favorite bands were in the same place, and the crowd was so into it and energetic.

Fueled by groundbreaking record labels such as Tooth & Nail Records and its heavier imprint Solid State Records, alongside stalwarts like Facedown, Fireproof, Intense, R.E.X., Metro One, Takehold, Strike First, Rescue, Ulterium, Blood and Ink, Bombworks, Soundmass, Endtime Productions, and Nordic Mission, this period witnessed an explosion of diverse subgenres: from thrash and doom to metalcore, hardcore, power metal, and alternative rock.


Chronological Tour Timeline with Record Labels and Supporting Acts (1995–2005)

1995

Cranial Captivity Tour
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records) / Lament (Independent) / Sacred Warrior (Intense Records)
Supporting Acts: Deliverance, Vengeance Rising, Tourniquet, Believer, Holy Soldier, Crimson Thorn


1996

Regional Tour
Focal Point (Independent) / Zao (Solid State Records) / Pensive (Independent) / Seasons in the Field (Independent)

The Black Sheep Tour
Saviour Machine (Independent) / Sixpence None the Richer (R.E.X. Records) / The Prayer Chain (Independent) / Mortal (Intense Records) / Michael Knott (Independent)


1997

Tour with Malevolent Creation
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)

Joint Tour
Sacred Warrior (Intense Records) / Bride (Independent)

DIY Tour
Zao (Solid State Records) / Underoath (Solid State Records) / Unearth (Independent) / Dead Poetic (Independent)


1998

Underdog Tour
Audio Adrenaline (ForeFront Records)

Independent Tour
P.O.D. (Rescue Records)

Regional Tour
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records) / Soul Embraced (Independent)

West Coast Tour
Sacred Warrior (Intense Records) / Holy Soldier (Intense Records)


1999

Satellite Pre-Tour
P.O.D. (Atlantic Records) / Korn (Mainstream) / Linkin Park (Mainstream) / Disturbed (Mainstream)

Joint Tour
Zao (Solid State Records) / Shai Hulud (Mainstream) / Evergreen Terrace (Mainstream)

National Tour
Crimson Thorn (Independent)

Solid State Mini-Tour
Norma Jean (Solid State Records) / Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)

Church Circuit Tour
Spoken (Metro 1 Records)


2000

The Hammering Process Tour
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)

Drawing Black Lines Tour
Project 86 (Tooth & Nail Records)

Joint Tour
Zao (Solid State Records) / Training for Utopia (Tooth & Nail Records)

Co-Headline Tour
The Blamed (Tooth & Nail Records) / Left Out (Independent)

40 Days of Disaster Tour
Underoath (Takehold Records) / Few Left Standing (Takehold Records) / Narcissus (Takehold Records) / Tantrum of the Muse (Takehold Records)


2001

Your New Empire Tour
Project 86 (Tooth & Nail Records) / Stavesacre (Tooth & Nail Records) / Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)

Co-Headline Tour
Project 86 (Tooth & Nail Records) / Blindside (Tooth & Nail Records)

Bless the Martyr Tour
Norma Jean (Solid State Records)

Again, For the First Time Tour
Bleach (ForeFront Records)

Joint Tour
Underoath (Solid State Records) / Tantrum of the Muse (Independent)

Hardcore Tour
No Innocent Victim (Facedown Records) / xDISCIPLEx A.D. (Facedown Records)


2002

Conceived in Fire Tour
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records) / Extol (Solid State Records) / Becoming the Archetype (Solid State Records)
Supporting Acts: Hatebreed, Throwdown

Warped Tour Dates
Underoath (Solid State Records)

Split Tour
Few Left Standing (Facedown Records) / xDISCIPLEx A.D. (Facedown Records)

Scandinavian Dates
Crimson Moonlight (Endtime Productions)

Youth Group Tour
Luti-Kriss (Solid State Records)

Tour Circuit
Rock & Roll Worship Circus (Vertical Records / INO Records)


2003

Early National Tour
Demon Hunter (Solid State Records)
Supporting: As I Lay Dying (Solid State Records)

Collide Tour
Skillet (ForeFront Records)

Reunion Tour
Mortal (Metro One Records) / Fold Zandura (Metro One Records)

Early Tours
Anberlin (Tooth & Nail Records)

International Tour
Extol (Solid State Records) / Antestor (Endtime Productions) / Mortification (Soundmass Records)

European Tour
Seventh Avenue (Ulterium Records) / Narnia (Ulterium Records)

National Tour
Disciple (Slain Records / INO Records)


2004

Extended Tour
Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)
Supporting: Throwdown, Extol, The Showdown

Early Tour
As I Lay Dying (Solid State Records)

They’re Only Chasing Safety Tour
Underoath (Solid State Records)
Supporting: Saosin

The Beautiful Letdown Tour
Switchfoot (Sparrow Records)

Co-Headline Tour
Project 86 (Tooth & Nail Records) / Disciple (Epic Records)

Brutality Mini-Tours
Clear Convictions (Strike First Records) / War of Ages (Strike First Records)

Joint Tour
Soul Embraced (Blood and Ink Records) / Bloodlined Calligraphy (Blood and Ink Records) / Nodes of Ranvier (Facedown Records)

Tour with Dead Poetic and Haste the Day
Dead Poetic (Tooth & Nail Records) / Haste the Day (Solid State Records)

Tour with The Agony Scene
Extol (Solid State Records) / The Agony Scene (Solid State Records)


2005

The Triptych Tour
Demon Hunter (Solid State Records)

Scream the Prayer Tour
Various Acts (Solid State Records / Facedown Records / Blood and Ink Records)

Early Tour
The Devil Wears Prada (Solid State Records)

First National Tour
Flyleaf (Octone Records)

Co-Headline Tour
The Showdown (Solid State Records) / Demon Hunter (Solid State Records) / Living Sacrifice (Solid State Records)

Phenomenon Tour
Thousand Foot Krutch (Tooth & Nail Records)

U.S. Tour
Crimson Moonlight (Endtime Productions)

Waves Are Dancing Tour
Holy Blood (Bombworks Records)

European Tour Dates
Morgarten (Nordic Mission Records)

Anniversary Tour
Bloodgood (Intense Records) / Whitecross (Intense Records)

Joint Tour
Extol (Solid State Records) / Becoming the Archetype (Solid State Records) / Crimson Moonlight (Endtime Productions)

The Forsaken Tour
Antestor (Endtime Productions)

First Tour
Children 18:3 (Tooth & Nail Records)


Conclusion

This unforgettable decade left a permanent mark on Christian music history, spanning underground DIY shows to national record deals. During this time, I had the privilege of running the SC Rock for Life chapter, booking bands like Rock and Roll Worship Circus, Spoken, Disciple, Pillar, The Benjamin Gate, East West, Joy Electric, Luti-Kriss, Mars ILL, LA Symphony, and Eleventyseven. I also attended countless concerts and festivals, where I represented Rock for Life and deepened my love for the scene.

After booking shows, I started collecting physical media. I was thrilled to see so many cassette and CD albums finally released on vinyl. I am getting every one of them that I can. My passion continues through involvement with Christian Metal Group, Heaven’s Metal Magazine, and organizing networking events in entertainment.

What tours did I miss? 

Let’s continue preserving the memory of this powerful season of Christian music together.

I can still hear the Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell.