Artist: Vineyard UK Worship
Album: Christmas from the Vineyard
Release Date: October 11th, 2011
Style: Worship / Rock / Holiday
Label: Vineyard UK Records / Kingsway
Location: United Kingdom

About:

 Christmas From The Vineyard brings both modern worship and English folk sounds to timeless classics. The result is a project that captures the heart of worship for the Christmas season. Brenton Brown’s classic “Humble King” works as a magnificent Christmas song, alongside traditional favorites such as “Silent Night” and “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”. The old English Christmas hymns “In The Bleak Midwinter” and “See Amid The Winter’s Snow” are charming renditions to warm your fireside family times. And both “The First Nowell” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are highly charged interpretations of two traditional favorites.

Tracklisting + Album Preview below:

Christmas From The Vineyard is something very different from the standard Christmas fare, but is an album that will inspire and engage you in worship this Christmas, honoring Christ our King!

Track Listing:

1. The First Noel (feat. Kate Bond)
2. O Come All Ye Faithful / Stand In Awe (Medley) [feat. Kate Bond]
3. In the Bleak Midwinter (feat. Vicky Morris)
4. Humble King (feat. Kate Bond)
5. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (feat. Soose Courtney)
6. O Little Town of Bethlehem (feat. Soose Courtney)
7. See Amid the Winter’s Snow (feat. Soose Courtney)
8. In Dulci Jubilo (feat. Vicky Morris)
9. Gaudete (feat. Kate Bond)
10. Silent Night (feat. Kate Bond)

Album Preview:

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Artist: Seventh Day Slumber
Album: The Anthem Of Angels
Release Date: November 15th, 2011
Style: Praise & Worship / Rock
Label: Bec / Tooth and Nail Records
Location: Spring Hill, TN

About:

Seventh Day Slumber is bringing forward another masterpiece. Still in the contemporary worship genre, “The Anthem Of Angels” points even more to the root alternative soft rock style which represented the band when they first started back in 2006.

The band is currently engaged with their energy and efforts on the “Small Town America Tour” which takes place this Fall (started today 13′th). More information about the tour can be found at their facebook page. If they reach near you, make sure you get to their show! They have some beautiful worship songs. Make sure to bring a friend also. Tour dates  at the bottom of the article.

Continue Reading:

Album Description:

Seventh Day Slumber is set to release their latest album The Anthem Of Angels. This album is sure to bring the rock and the worship in a way that only Seventh Day Slumber can do.

The song “Love Came Down” is a song that was written about trusting God even in the middle of overwhelming circumstances. Sometimes life can be so difficult. I’ve struggled in my own life with feeling like I couldn’t hear the voice of God clearly, especially in the middle of stressful situations. The best way to describe this song is to imagine that you are on an airplane that is descending. You will go from seeing everything clear as you look out of the window to seeing nothing but clouds. It can be really scary not knowing what is in front of you. Now add turbulence to the situation and a pilot talking over a microphone that you can barley hear because of the loud noises of turbulence and things bouncing around. As the turbulence gets worse stress begins to enter in the equation and the pilots voice becomes more and more faint. It’s at this point that you have a choice to make. The choices are, you can live those next few moments in fear until you land safely on the ground, or you can trust that the pilot knows exactly what he is doing and is more than qualified to land your plane. I guess what I am trying to say is this. You may not be able to hear God as clearly as you would like to at times but you should take confidence in the fact that Your God always lands the plane!

“Never Too Far Gone” is one of those songs that doesn’t pull any punches. The lyrics are straight forward and honest. The song was written from the point of view of a friend who is watching his buddy crash and burn. He is telling him that life doesn’t have to be this way. He is saying to his buddy “You aren’t to far Gone for God to fix your situation”. Not only is he telling his buddy that he doesn’t have to go out like this, he is also saying I WON”T LET YOU GO OUT LIKE THIS! This is a song about a true friend who believes in a God that still meets people where they are.This song is an ANTHEM for all the true friends out there!

Track Listing:

1. Wasted Life
2. Love Came Down
3. One Mistake
4. Addicted To My Pain
5. Never Too Far Gone
6. Pieces
7. Crash
8. Back Where I Began
9. Knows My Name
10. My Life
11. How He Loves

“Small Town America Tour” dates:

2011-11-13 / Weiser High School / Weiser, ID / Doors open at 6:00 PM
2011-11-15 / Crook County High School / Prineville, OR / Doors open at 6:30 PM
2011-11-18 / International Cent… / Victorville, CA / Doors open at 7:00 PM
2011-11-21 / New Life City Chur… / Safford, AZ  / Doors open at 7:00 PM
2011-12-18 / TIfton United Meth… / Tifton, GA / Doors open at 5:30 PM
2011-12-31 / Lakeside Christian… / Pittsfield, MA / Doors open at 1:00 PM
2012-01-27 / Arlington Conventi… / Arlington, TX / Doors open at 9:00 PM

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Artist: Cory Lamb
Album: Break The Cycle
Release Date: September 13th, 2011
Style: Pop / Rock
Label: Black Sheep Entertainment / EMi CMG
Location: Little Rock, AR

About:

A rising star. A native of Little Rock, AR, Lamb moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to work as a production intern for the award-winning John Guess (Dixie Chicks, Rod Stewart, Reba McEntire). Once Guess heard Lamb’s voice, he immediately recognized his talent and began working with him in the studio. In the midst of fulfilling his wildest musical ambitions in LA (his own band, a big-name producer), he decided to return to Arkansas, where he finally found his voice.

Listen below:

On September 13, 2011, Lamb will release his debut album Break the Cycle, on Black Sheep Entertainment. The album is driven by soaring vocals and powerful lyrics reminiscent of acts like The Killers, The Faint and Jimmy Eat World. Actor Stephen Baldwin made his directorial debut on the music video for the title track, an aggressive, synthesizer-based anthem that Lamb says is about “figuring out who you are and becoming an individual, instead of just listening to other people tell you how to live your life.”

Track Listing:
1. Break the Cycle
2. It’s a Good Day
3. Drowning
4. Storm
5. Something More
6. Circle
7. Praying for Gravity
8. Light
9. Tell Me That It’s Over
10. Superman

Few songs from “Break The Cycle” album:

It’s a Good Day:

Break the Cycle:

Something More:

Light:

Circle:

Storm:

Drowning:

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Artist: Southbound Fearing
Album: Southbound Fearing (Self Titled/Debut)
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011
Style: Rock / Alternative / Contemporary
Label: Red Cord Records
Location: Toledo, OH

About:

With two independent releases and hundreds of live performances under their belt, the Toledo OH based rock outfit Southbound Fearing has returned with a new record and a rejuvenated sense of purpose. “We do what we do for the glory of Jesus Christ, sometimes the music industry has a way of distracting you from that truth but we are definitely back to the basics with this record” says singer/guitarist Brady Leonard.

Continue to article:

The “Youth Group” genre lives on through Toledo Ohio’s Southbound Fearing. Their Debut Self-titled full length album explodes with a booming of guitars, drums, and synthesizers on the first track “Irresistible”.  What can be a tad misleading however going from track one to the rest of the album is the lack of continuity the songs have.  ”Irresistible” has a dance power pop sound that reminds me of Jonzetta (Popularity). Songs like “Fighting Words”, “Never Fails” and “Drums” pop with a sort of heavier Anberlin sound that demands attention but loses luster after a little while.

Out of the 10 songs only one song really caught my attention and that was the song “This is Not My Home.”  The song contains a pop punk/rock feel that resemble bands like Yellowcard, Relient K, The Starting Line and All Time Low.  And though SFB plays with a lot of sounds through this album, I believe this song captures Brady Leonards voice the best and stylistically, this song stays true the whole song.  There are no random things that pop out of no where catching the listener off guard.

Musically this is a very confusing album to stereotype into a genre.  There is a fine line between playing with sounds and finding your sound.  SFB might not have found their full sound but there are several great examples of balance between the music and singing.

Vocally there are parts where there could have been better takes and some parts that leave one to believe the music was more of a priority then melody or singing in general.  The best song melodically is, like I said prior, “This is Not My Home.”  It is the only song that seems Brady is comfortable singing and has the best balance of music and singing.

If you are a production fiend like I am, you will enjoy the way this album sounds.  The drums have great pop and for the most part, if you are into the style, the guitars, bass, and synths have pretty good tone.  If anything for me the production saves this album at some points.

I try not to critique on lyrics but, unless you are a youth pastor trying to get your kids good some positive christian lyrics, you may not be able to get into this album.  There are a lot of times on this album you have to remember that this is the bands first record

Overall: The debut album for a band can be terribly nerve recking.  Whether you are being pushed by labels or you are doing it independently. The debut full length can prove to be a great way to say, as a band or solo artist, we/I have have arrived.  It can also be a so-so record that shows potential or can be terrible and nothing can save you. Harsh words but it is the business we choose to partake in.  Southbound Fearing’s debut self-titled album, being released by Red Cord Records, is by no means great but there is enough of a silver lining that can prove to this bands success in the future.

Track Listing:

1. Irresistible
2. Fighting Words
3. Unseen
4. 200k Miles
5. Bring It Back
6. The Only Word
7. Never Fails
8. This is Not My Home
9. Drums
10. Beautiful

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Artist: Downhere
Album: On the Altar of Love
Release Date: August 23rd, 2011
Style: Rock / Pop / Contemporary
Label: Centricity Music
Location: Canadians mostly living in America

Review:

Downhere’s newest effort, At The Altar of Love, will catch you off guard. In a time when many are turning and questioning the roots of their faith, Downhere is running away too – into the past. Embracing the roots of their faith and seeking to inspire others to do the same, their new effort lays down the foundation for faith in a new and inspiring way. Rediscover You is arguably one of the best tracks and you’ll find yourself singing it over and over again. Give this release your full attention, not just a passive listen, and go buy a copy. Heck, go buy two and give one to someone to bless them and encourage their faith. That’s exactly what Downhere would want you to do.

Continue Reading + Listen:

More info:

On the Altar of Love is perhaps at its most vulnerable and human on the anthemic and plaintive Let Me Rediscover You. In fact, if songs had a physical posture, Let Me Rediscover You would probably be on its knees with its arms uplifted. The urgency of the vocals sweeps the melody along forcefully, undergirded by the song’s hymn-like and punctuated rhythm.

“Sometimes we think we’ve given all we can,” Jeremy says, “and then love asks us for more. The only proper response to the love we’ve been given in Christ is to abandon ourselves completely to his love, whatever that might mean. Let Me Rediscover You is really a heart cry, a prayer that our hearts and minds and souls would be turned back afresh to the knowledge and experience of who God is. That has to be our beginning, and our ending point.”

Other standout songs on the project include the moody, rootsy, spinning-wheel-feel of the title track, the powerful minimalism of Reveal The Kingdom (an “anthem for an eternal kingdom”), and the accessibly poignant poetry of Thank You For the Heartbreak—a song that not only recognizes but sincerely celebrates God’s sovereignty at work even within our hurt and sorrow.

“On the Altar of Love is really a proclamation of faith,” explains Jason. “It’s an encouragement to continue on regardless of circumstance, to continue this journey with joy and celebration, because we have a promise. We know where the journey ends. And we know that we’re not alone as we make our way. We have the companionship of Christ, and we have this vast family of brothers and sisters, and we have this great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us, who are cheering us on. So we want to cast aside the distractions, return to what is essential, and spend ourselves completely in response to the love we’ve been given.”

Track Listing:

1. Only the Beginning
2. Rest
3. Let Me Rediscover You
4. For Life
5. Living the Dream
6. Seek
7. Glory by the Way of Shame
8. Holy
9. For the Heartbreak
10. Turn this Around
11. On the Altar of Love
12. Reveal the Kingdom

Listen to “Let Me Rediscover You” the single:

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Artist: Icon for Hire
Album: Scripted
Release Date: August 23rd, 2011
Style: Rock
Label: Tooth & Nail Records
Location: Decatur, IL
Sounds like: Flyleaf, Paramore, Fireflight

About:

New Tooth & Nail artist, Icon For Hire finished recording their debut album Scripted with Aaron Sprinkle at Compound Studios in Seattle and Rob Hawkins at Tomahawk in Nashville. “The blood, sweat, and tears that went into this record is unbelievable. We’ve ripped our heart out of chest and thrown it into a hybrid of hard rock and top-forty pop. Our hope is that the fans identify with the music and lyrical themes,” says vocalist Ariel Jump. Look for them on tour this summer with The Letter Black.

Continue reading + Watch New Music Video “Make A Move”:

Biography:

Female fronted and hailing from Decatur, IL, Icon For Hire is comprised of Ariel (vocals), Shawn Jump (guitar) and Adam Kronshagen (drums). Since 2007, the band has been establishing their strong following by touring extensively across the Mid-West.

“We are thrilled to be joining such an established and well-respected group at Tooth & Nail,” shares the band upon their signing. “It’s a label that has a history of consistently putting out good music and really working side by side with their artists. Because we’ve been doing this thing on our own for over two years, it feels great to partner with Tooth & Nail. We can’t wait to record our debut full-length and see where this road takes us.”

Icon For Hire will be hitting the studios with famed producer Aaron Sprinkle (Anberlin, The Almost, Acceptance) this fall. Writing for the last several months, the band is anxious to get into the studio to formulate their sound of combining heavy, rock-oriented sounds and modern pop elements with a strong focus on the production.

“We feel like it’s a common misconception among new bands that once a band gets signed, the hard work is over. We’re approaching this completely different, we realize that now’s when the real work begins and we’re up for the challenge. We’re three very driven people, and we’re not gonna stop until we fulfill our goals.”

Track Listing:

1. Overture
2. Theater
3. Make A Move
4. Get Well
5. The Grey
6. Off With Her Head
7. Fight
8. Up In Flames
9. Iodine
10. Only A Memory
11. Pieces

Watch “Make A Move” Music Video:

“Scripted” album preview:

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Artist: Crunch
Album: Icarus EP
Release Date: 2011
Style: Alternacore /  Alt. Rock / Post-Hardcore
Label: Maxpowerrecords
Location: Haltern am See, Germany

About:

Crunch band has offered their latest EP to christiansonic.net visitors. So here goes, you can have this EP for free offered by the band. The download link is down at the bottom of the article.

CONTINUE TO FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD!

For a first listen i would say Crunch looks to be a promising band on the alternative rock stage. Even though the guys are from Germany, Icarus EP consists of their latest songs which were fully recorded in English. In the matter of other influential genres it has a small Punk/Core influence. The songs provide a religious background, and all the guys from the band belong to Christ. I would encourage you to download this EP because it’s for FREE! Download link below.

Track Listing:

1. Icarus
2. Hourglass
3. Nature’s Blue
4. This is the song…

Listen: Icarus

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Artist: 12 Stones
Album: Only Human
Release Date: September 12th, 2011
Style: Alternative / Rock
Label: Executive Music Group / Fontana / Universal
Location: Mandeville, Louisiana

About:

12 Stones emerged from anonymity via their self-titled debut in 2002 and rose to prominence quickly. Singer Paul McCoy’s appearance on the debut hit from Evanescence “Bring Me To Life,” steady touring, and a strong connection to the growing fan base delivered sales of hundreds of thousands of copies. Potter’s Field (2004), Anthem for the Underdog (2007), and an EP titled The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday (2010) followed, with cumulative sales of the band’s music exceeding two million units.

track listing + Listen to “Bulletproof” single below:

A new partnership with independent label the Executive Music Group, and a recording that is the realized vision of a decade of finding their voice in Only Human, delivers a bright future for the Mandeville, Louisiana based group. Lyrically, the songs capture the essence of life’s challenges, and there is no doubt the public and industry will find the qualities that have made 12 Stones rise plentiful on Only Human.

Track Listing:
1. Infected
2. Bulletproof
3. For the Night
4. Worlds Collide
5. The One Thing
6. Blind
7. I’m With You
8. Bury Me
9. Psycho
10. Only Human
11. Someone Like You
12. That Changes Everything

Listen to “Bulletproof” Single:

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About:

It is significant that Sojourn has released their new indie Christian album The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts two days after Easter. Their seventh recording is timed perfectly to appreciate, reflect, and find more meaning in the sacred holiday.

Listen + Watch trailer:

The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts takes you through hymns that have a distinct Roots/Americana feel to them while communicating a universal message to their audience. Musicians with backgrounds in jazz, country, pop, and punk rock came together for a common cause while seeking to serve the Church with meaningful contemporary music.

Since launching in 2000, Sojourn Music has recorded 7 albums of original music, including the critically-acclaimed album Before the Throne. Sojourn’s music is very powerful. The members of the band come from a church with three campuses in Louisville, with 2500+ people gathering on Sundays for worship.

The musicianship on The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is exceptional, which gives their message more of a universal touch point for those that have not been exposed to their unique brand of Christian artistry. Every word is felt on the recording because the vocals are on par with the music, making for a touching blend of spirit compelled with the belief that a positive message simply cannot be ignored.

The Water and The Blood: The Hymns of Isaac Watts is available on CD, Digital format and vinyl LP. “We’re excited to release this new collection of hymns. It’s music that comes from a real sense of community and faith, connecting emerging generations from the 300-year-old work of the father of the English hymn. We can’t wait to introduce you to Isaac Watts,” states Michael Cosper, Pastor of Worship and Arts for Sojourn Community Church.

Sojourn “Water And The Blood” album trailer:

Track Listing:
1. Absent From Flesh
2. The Water And The Blood
3. From Deep Distress
4. Compel My Heart To Sing
5. Let The Seventh Angel Sound
6. O God Our Help In Ages Past
7. Deep In Our Hearts
8. Bless Be The Lamb
9. Death Has Lost Its Sting
10. Early My God Without Delay
11. Let Your Blood Plead For Me
12. The World Will Know

Let Your Blood Plead For Me (LIVE):

Listen to the album below:

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Artist: DecembeRadio
Album: Southern Attic Sessions
Release Date: August 23rd, 2011
Style: Southern Rock / Alternative / Pop
Label: Springhill Music Group / Slanted Records
Location: Blacksburg, VA

About:

GRAMMY(r)-nominated and DOVE Award-winning DecembeRadio locked themselves in an attic for a month–the Southern Attic Studio that is, near their hometown of Blacksburg, Vir. This acclaimed band with a unique southern rock flair brought back the driving guitar riffs and grit they are known for but added a bit of mandolin, banjo and pedal steel, expanding their musical boundaries and adding further dimension to their sound.

Listen to “Be Strong” below:

Southern Attic Sessions exposes a more rootsy side of the band with Josh Reedy’s raspy, lead vocal tones, tight harmonies and a “stripped down,” “unplugged” type of approach. The result is an honest, down-to-earth collection of catchy melodic hooks with straightforward messages. The five -song project includes “Deeper Well,” a cover tune the band re-created, originally recorded by country legend Emmylou Harris, as well as their new, easy-on-the-ear single “Be Strong.”

Track Listing:

1. Be Strong
2. Deeper Well
3. Narrow
4. Son When You Feel Down
5. Where I Wanna Be

Listen to “Be Strong”:

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