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Release Date: March 23, 2010

On March 23rd, Robby Seay Band released their follow up to the 2007 hit album Give Yourself Away. It has been roughly 3 long years since we have seen anything new from this group.  The band’s latest project is entitled Miracle.  The title track is also the bands first single off the album. Miracle should have no problem with matching the success of their previous album.  The album challenges the audience to take the initiative with their walk with Christ, don’t wait for something to happen to challenge you.  Accept Christ’s love and run with it.

RSB’s work continues to be worship driven; however, on this album, they do step well out of their comfort zone to challenge themselves both lyrically and musically. No other track exemplifies this fact better than Crazy Love. This track, due to the arrangement and Robbie’s vocal tone, sounds like a Brandon Heath cover.  The whole album has upbeat vibe to it, the audience will be able to feel what the meaning of the album is.

Many feel today’s worship artists have hit a plateau and don’t want to disrupt the CCM world by challenging themselves. For those who step out it could be a long fall. I feel that RSB does not disappoint or approach things with a formula. While they could challenge themselves more, who can’t, they understand their audience and strive to bring Glory to God through their music and subsequent ministries.  Keeping it in the family, Robbie’s brother Chris is the Pastor at the band’s home church in Texas, Ecclesia, and the band leads worship there when they are not touring.

Of the eleven tracks on the album there are some you should not miss:

• Awaken My Soul: asks God to awaken our soul so that we may live for Him and not miss the opportunities he has set in place to work for the Kingdom.  His Love shakes us from our sleep as stagnant believers if only we allow Him to.  “Oh God, When storms will follow close / And I run from all I love the most / Then the dark is fading, Your love / Overtaking, Your love / It’s shaken me from my sleep / Awaken me to Your love.”
• Kingdom and A King: reminds us that our Savior has come to save us no matter who we are or what we have done, if we accept Christ for what he has done. That we will sing for His glory and his endless love; that has redeemed us. Its a powerful message on how we should display our gratitude for God’s grace.
• Crazy Love: Love this song! It tell’s of how God’s Grace can help to fully restore relationships despite the storms, if only we have Faith in Christ and if we abide in His Love he will guide us.

This album is a wonderful addition to the RSB catalog.  In my opinion, their junior release was worth the three year wait.  I feel that, in regard to the content, this album allows us to take a look at how we are serving Him. Are we turning to our Savior when we need assistance or do we only look to ourselves for the answer? I pray that the Robby Seay Band continues in their journey broadening their scope of worship music. This band is on the right course to be among the elite in the worship genre. So go take a listen and let us know what you think.

Other Notables: Cover of Jon Foreman’s (Your Love is Strong) & Lament

8/10

Review by: Ben Dempsey of RockTheCross.net

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Release Date: April 13, 2010

When I received Unshakable to review, honestly, I had not heard Deluge before.  If you are like me, here is some background information about the band. They are based out of Baton Rouge, their self-titled debut released in 2008 was a live album recorded at their home church Bethany World Prayer Center.  The group is lead by Jonathan Stockstill, who is also the worship leader at their home church, and Jonathan wrote all 13 songs on the album. Beyond the facts, Deluge has created an album that is more than the typical worship album.

The band uses several styles to express themselves. From hip-hop to rock to soulful tracks, they all integrate very well throughout the complete album. Stockstill says that the songs are an outpouring of the joy, anger, pain and hope that his family and church has experienced over the past two years. This includes the birth of his first child, the loss of his young sister-in-law to cancer, and his brother Joel’s lifelong battle with kidney disease.  In fact Jonathan stated “Joel is the inspiration behind the album.”  The song Come In My Courts which is inspired by Joel’s vision of Heaven; a powerful song that is a must hear.

A couple of the standout songs include the first single Unshakable; which is a great song that tells that we should have confidence in God for the direction of the church and ourselves. Nothing can shake his will for you. Let’s Worship features Kari Jobe, and Deeper discusses the author’s desire for Christ to totally consume Him so he will not falter for the Kingdom. I Want to Be Used by You: Asking the lord to use us and mold us into His image. In honesty, this album doesn’t have many tracks that fall below the line.

Other Notable Tracks: Power & Refuge

Deluge is a wonderful compilation of worship tunes that successfully mixes music styles. The genre’ has needed this approach for some time. All too often worship music comes off as simplistic and safe. I hope that you take a listen and decide, as I have, that Deluge is a refreshing thoughtful work.

8/10

Written by Ben Dempsey of RockTheCross.net

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After 4 studio albums, 1 live album, a documentary DVD, and extensive touring, you might think that the fire would slowly fizzle out. Demon Hunter has proven this to be untrue, and has showed us, yet again, why they continue to be one of the most popular metal bands in both the christian and secular realm. In September of 2007, Demon Hunter wowed audiences and critics alike with Storm The Gates of Hell. Now, after two and a half years, Ryan Clark, Jon Dunn, and Yogi Watts, have been joined by newcomers Ryan Helm and Patrick Judge, to release The World Is A Thorn.

First thing you should know is that this isn’t your typical Demon Hunter release. When Ryan released a statement saying this was going to be the “hardest and most melodic Demon Hunter release ever”, he couldn’t have explained it better. The guitars are polished, the drums are faster, and the message couldn’t be clearer. From the opening guitars in Descending Upon Us, to the closing strings of the Driving Nails(String Mix) on the Deluxe Edition, Demon Hunter proves why they are still one of the best metal bands today.

Too often, christians toe the line, and more often than not, step right over it. This Is The Line is DH’s response to that line. The battle that is being fought isn’t only against the physical, but the supernatural as well. Perhaps the most personal song on the album is Driving Nails, about how the choices that we make and how or life turns out can feel like nails being driven in to our souls.

Other Notable Tracks: Collapsing, Just Breathe, Shallow Water

The progression that Demon Hunter has shown since their first album is staggering. Growth is something that many bands struggle to display, much less achieve. Demon Hunter proves that its possible. The future continues to be bright for Demon Hunter. This is a must have album for any Demon Hunter fan, or metal fan for that matter.

9.5/10

Review by Wes Brawner of RockTheCross.net