Nearly 30 years into their career, Skillet continues to prove just how much staying power their music has.
The band has now reached 30 million RIAA-certified units across 21 titles, with several of its biggest songs earning new multi-Platinum certifications. Leading the way is “Monster,” which has now been certified an incredible 7x Platinum. “Hero” has reached 4x Platinum, while “Awake and Alive” and “Feel Invincible” have both climbed to 3x Platinum.
Those numbers are impressive on their own, but they also show how well Skillet’s music has carried across generations. Songs like “Monster,” “Hero,” and “Awake and Alive” are not simply tracks people remember from when they were released. New listeners continue to discover them through streaming, social media, gaming, and sports. According to the band’s press release, “Monster” alone has now surpassed 5 billion global streams.
Other certifications being recognized include “Not Gonna Die” at Platinum, along with Gold certifications for “Falling Inside the Black,” “Finish Line,” “Rise,” “Sick of It,” and “Back From the Dead.” The Unleashed album has also reached Platinum status.
I have watched Skillet change considerably over the years. I first saw them touring behind their self-titled debut with Grammatrain, when they were a three-piece grunge rock band. Since then, they have gone through several musical changes while building one of the most recognizable sounds in modern rock. Seeing songs from different eras of that career continue to grow is pretty cool.
What makes the timing even better is that Skillet is not simply celebrating the past.
Their six-song EP After the Storm arrives October 9 and finds the band returning to a heavier sound. It also reunites frontman John Cooper with producer David Cowell, also known as Sleep Theory, and marks the first time Cooper has returned to his hometown of Memphis to record since 2003’s Collide.
The newer material has already shown plenty of promise. “Scream” has surpassed 5 million global streams, while “Lift Me Up” brings the kind of hard-hitting sound I have been hoping to hear more of from Skillet. The guitars are heavy, the drums stand out, and Cooper’s voice fits the aggression of the song perfectly.
There is also a much more personal side to these songs. Cooper has described After the Storm as music written during a difficult season involving betrayal, anger, depression, faith, perseverance, and hope.
“This EP is special to me. It reignites what Skillet was always meant to be—which is music that helps lift people out of dark times.”
That has always been one of Skillet’s greatest strengths. The band can hit hard musically without losing the hopeful message that has connected with listeners throughout its career.
Thirty million certified units is a massive achievement, but what stands out even more is that Skillet still sounds hungry. With After the Storm on the way, these certifications feel less like a career retrospective and more like another milestone along the road.
Skillet has built an impressive legacy, and they clearly are not finished adding to it.
Resurrection Fest brought the Resurrection Records family to Resurrection Church in Greer, SC, on August 29. Label artists Ziggie and the Suffering Gift, Brent Tatum, and Tricord were joined by local opener Igniting the Sky for a night of Christian rock and metal.
I arrived early with three of my kids and had a great time hanging out with everyone during load-in and merch setup before the doors opened.
Igniting the Sky kicked things off with a different lineup than I remembered. Instead of Cody handling the vocals alone, three singers shared the duties. The harmonies and screams worked well together, while Kristen once again killed it on guitar. They were exactly the kind of band needed to wake everyone up and get the night moving.
Ziggie and the Suffering Gift were down a guitarist, but you would not have known it from their performance. Ziggie’s Led Zeppelin-influenced vocals did not disappoint, and his guitar work remained strong. William kept a tight beat behind the kit while Mike stayed firmly in the pocket on bass.
Brent Tatum had to perform without his band due to circumstances outside his control, but he made the most of it. Armed with his guitar and a miked kick drum, Brent played the entire set without backing tracks. Mad props for that. His stories behind the songs gave the audience an opportunity to connect with both the music and its message.
Headliner Tricord closed the night, and the crowd quickly moved toward the front. With two members now living in Tennessee, the band still came together and delivered. Jermaine knows how to command a room, and songs including “Liar,” “Watcha Got,” “Fix Me,” and “Born to Be a King” kept the crowd engaged.
One of my favorite moments remains seeing Jermaine’s son, Keighan, join him on “Born to Be a King.” After seeing Tricord four times, that father-and-son moment never gets old.
After 14 years without new music, Sent By Ravens are back with “A Quiet War,” and it does not sound like a band trying to rediscover who they are. This sounds like Sent By Ravens.
These guys haven’t missed a beat.
For longtime fans, that may be the best thing I can say about their return. Sent By Ravens built a loyal following with albums like Our Graceful Words and Mean What You Say, combining hard rock and post-hardcore with memorable melodies, emotional songwriting, and the unmistakable voice of Zach Riner. Fourteen years is a long time, but “A Quiet War” feels like a natural continuation rather than a forced attempt to recreate the past.
The guitar work from Andy O’Neal throughout the song is excellent. There is plenty of melody, but the guitars still carry some real weight, especially as the song continues building. The band knows when to pull back and when to hit harder, giving “A Quiet War” a dynamic feel instead of simply throwing everything at you from the beginning.
And then there is that chorus.
“Burn it down Throne of gold Burn it with all that is sacred When the story ends Let it be told”
It is the kind of chorus that sticks with you immediately. Powerful, melodic, and meaningful. After all these years, these words are just as graceful.
One of the most memorable moments comes when the music gives way to the voice of a young girl saying:
“Courage is not silencing fear, it’s discovering the loudest voice inside doesn’t get to write your story.”
That line captures much of what the song feels like. “A Quiet War” deals with the battles happening beneath the surface, where fear, doubt, and the voices inside our own heads can sometimes become louder than everything else.
Then the song begins to build again.
Sent By Ravens could have simply ridden out the melody, but instead they take the song somewhere much heavier. Everything erupts into a nasty breakdown behind the declaration:
“Be still Listen close Quiet your mind now There is more Keep going”
That section is one of my favorite moments in the song. The heaviness does not feel thrown in just for the sake of having a breakdown. The music supports the message, and when that moment hits, it hits hard.
Most importantly, “A Quiet War” feels authentic. There is enough familiarity here for someone who followed Sent By Ravens during the Tooth & Nail years to immediately recognize the band, but it does not sound trapped in 2010 either. They sound older, seasoned, and confident without losing what made people love them in the first place.
After waiting 14 years, I could not have asked for a much better return.
Sent By Ravens are currently only scheduled to play Louder Than Life in Kentucky, but I am looking forward to getting the chance to see them live again. Even more than that, “A Quiet War” has me ready to hear the new album and find out where this next chapter takes them.
If this is our first taste of what is coming from Sent By Ravens, bring it on.
“A Quiet War” written by Jamie Windham, Zach Riner, JJ Leonard, Dane Andersen, and Andy O’Neal.
Resurrection Fest Makes Its South Carolina Debut This August
A new chapter for Christian heavy music is about to begin in the Upstate. Resurrection Fest will make its South Carolina debut on Friday, August 29, bringing together four Christian rock and metal artists for an evening of powerful music, worship, and hope at Resurrection Church in Greer.
Presented by Resurrection Records, the inaugural event showcases a lineup that reflects the diversity of today’s Christian rock and metal scene while sharing one common purpose: pointing people to Jesus Christ through music.
Headlining the night is Tricord, the South Georgia alternative nu-metal and rapcore band known for combining heavy riffs with transparent lyrics about addiction, anxiety, depression, and finding hope in Christ. Their music is both aggressive and deeply personal, connecting with listeners who have faced life’s darkest moments while reminding them they are never alone.
Joining them is Brent Tatum, a singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Blending contemporary Christian music with rock, Tatum’s songs focus on faith, hope, and pursuing God’s calling, offering a worshipful and encouraging contrast to the heavier acts on the bill.
Charleston-based Ziggie and the Suffering Gift delivers heartfelt rock born from real-life struggles and redemption. Formed by lifelong friends who have endured life’s trials together, the band writes music intended to inspire, uplift, and remind people that healing and hope are always within reach.
Representing the Upstate is Igniting the Sky, Greenville’s own post-hardcore powerhouse. Known for explosive live performances, the band balances crushing breakdowns with soaring melodies and brutally honest lyrics that challenge, encourage, and point listeners toward Christ.
As the first Resurrection Fest in South Carolina, organizers hope the event becomes more than just another concert. The vision is to create a place where music, ministry, and community come together, giving fans an opportunity to discover new artists, encourage one another, and celebrate their faith through powerful live performances.
With tickets priced at just $10 at the door, Resurrection Fest is an affordable opportunity for longtime fans of Christian rock and metal as well as anyone looking to experience a night of music with a message of hope.
Following the release of Trials and Tribulations, Evan Ryan Canady returns with Providence, an eight song album that boldly places Scripture at the center of its message. Combining heavy guitars, soaring melodies, and thoughtful songwriting, this release offers more than just another metal record. It is a collection of songs rooted in biblical truth and personal faith.
The album artwork immediately captures the eye. A lone tree stands in the middle of a barren desert beneath a brilliant night sky. While open to interpretation, it beautifully reflects the album’s title. Even in the driest places, God can bring life and hope.
The opening instrumental, On the Road to Damascus, wastes no time showcasing Evan Ryan Canady’s impressive guitar work. Following a solid drum introduction, soaring guitar melodies blend seamlessly with a tasteful piano section, creating a powerful beginning that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The biblical themes continue throughout the record. Rise Before the Fall calls listeners to repentance with the challenge to “tear down the wall of immorality” while the addition of female background vocals and spoken passages adds depth to an already powerful song. Return of the King features crushing guitar riffs, creative time changes, and one of the album’s strongest lyrical moments as it speaks of walking with the Spirit while carrying the sword and shield of God.
The title track reminds listeners that God’s plan is often beyond our understanding. Its memorable guitar solo and encouraging message to “trust in providence” become the spiritual centerpiece of the album.
One of the record’s most emotional moments comes with The Life I’m Meant to Lead, a song addressing domestic violence while drawing inspiration from James 1:6 and Matthew 5:4. The Storm on the Sea of Galilee revisits Christ calming the storm from Mark 4, challenging believers with the timeless question, “Oh ye of little faith, why are you afraid?”
Closing tracks Alleluia and Sons of Perdition continue exploring biblical themes, ending the album on a thoughtful and sobering note.
Although Providence contains only eight songs, it feels complete from beginning to end. Evan Ryan Canady has crafted an album that balances impressive musicianship with an unapologetically Christ centered message. For fans of melodic Christian metal that values substance as much as technical ability, Providence is well worth adding to your playlist.
Mr. Weaverface is the solo alternative rock project of Brandon Weaver, a Pennsylvania-based Christian artist whose music is rooted in testimony, spiritual warfare, and worshipful devotion to Jesus Christ. Rather than operating as a traditional band, Mr. Weaverface functions as an artist-led ministry project, with Weaver serving as the primary songwriter, vocalist, and creative force while collaborating with other musicians for recording and live performance.
The name Mr. Weaverface comes from a nickname given to Weaver by a teammate on his bowling league. What began as a casual and humorous label eventually became the identity of a project that now represents one of the most direct and uncompromising voices in modern Christian rock. The unusual name immediately sets the project apart while underscoring its deeply personal origins.
Weaver’s faith journey is foundational to the music. Although he grew up in the church and professed faith at a young age, his adult life was marked by serious struggles, including anxiety, panic attacks, addiction, and depression. A crisis moment on Christmas Day in 2018 became a turning point that Weaver has described as a spiritual battle leading to repentance, deliverance, and a renewed commitment to Christ. That experience did not simply influence the lyrics. It became the spiritual framework for the entire Mr. Weaverface project.
Musically, Mr. Weaverface operates within the alternative rock and post-grunge space, drawing from the melodic intensity and guitar-driven approach associated with late 1990s and early 2000s rock. Influences such as Foo Fighters, U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Our Lady Peace, Radiohead, and Stone Temple Pilots can be heard in the arrangements. What clearly separates Mr. Weaverface from many artists in the genre is the lyrical direction. The songs are worshipful, explicit in faith, and centered on Jesus Christ without compromise.
The project’s first major body of work was the Jesus Is Alive EP. This release established the foundation for everything that followed, focusing squarely on salvation, victory in Christ, and spiritual authority. The title track, “Jesus Is Alive,” quickly became a defining song for the project. One of its most impactful lines, “It took me half a lifetime / To finally grab the lifeline / And now I’m never letting go,” captures the heart of Weaver’s testimony and the surrender that defines the project as a whole. The song functions as both proclamation and praise, setting a clear spiritual tone from the beginning.
Following Jesus Is Alive, Weaver released the These Lungs EP, which deepened the personal and worshipful direction of the project. The song “These Lungs” was written in response to surviving a severe illness and stands as a declaration of gratitude, acknowledging breath and life as gifts from God. Rather than centering on suffering itself, the song redirects attention to God’s sustaining power and mercy, reinforcing the project’s focus on worship through lived experience.
As the project continued to develop beyond the EP releases, standalone singles expanded both the emotional and theological scope. “O God, Help Me” stands out as one of the most transparent moments in the catalog, presented as a direct prayer that admits weakness while clinging to God’s faithfulness. “Above All Names” followed as a bold declaration of the supremacy of Jesus, emphasizing His authority and sovereignty without lyrical ambiguity. The song resonated strongly within Christian rock circles and further solidified Mr. Weaverface’s identity as worship-driven rock rather than faith-adjacent alternative music.
Across all releases, the defining trait of Mr. Weaverface remains consistency of message. The songs do not dilute doctrine for accessibility. Instead, they present worship, repentance, and dependence on Christ through the language of modern rock. That approach has resonated deeply with listeners seeking Christian rock that prioritizes lyrical substance as much as musical quality.
For many fans, Mr. Weaverface represents the best example of Christian rock today, particularly for those drawn to worshipful lyrics delivered with conviction and without compromise. The project does not attempt to blur lines or soften its message. It embraces clarity, reverence, and praise, using alternative rock as a vehicle to glorify Jesus Christ.
Mr. Weaverface is not merely a stage name or creative concept. It is the ongoing testimony of Brandon Weaver, using rock music to proclaim that redemption is real, spiritual warfare is present, and true hope and identity are found in Christ alone.
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 – Verheißung (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)
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
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)
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.
