36 A L B U M R E V I E W S
It’s hard to believe this is the last studio release from DC*B, but there is a finality to it, capturing all of the elements and instrumentation that made for some of the most artistic expressions of worship in this generation. [SIX STEP] DAVID REYNOLDS
LIFE IN YOUR WAY KINGDOMS
BETRAYING THE MARTYRS
RUN KID RUN
BREATHE IN LIFE
PATTERNS
France’s Betraying the Martyrs shakes Europe and the rest of the world with their full-length album, Breathe In Life. This album was written for straight-up metal heads. The breakdowns are destructive and unforgiving, and the riffs are merciless and intricate. The symphony in the background adds to the intensity of the metal. The low guttural growls are mad heavy, and the clean vocals are powerful and meaningful. Songs like “Martyrs” and “Man Made Disaster” will leave you convicted and begging for more! If you’re a fan As I Lay Dying and Winds of Plague, Betraying the Martyrs is the band for you. It’s going to be hard to top this album. [SUMERIAN] NICK COTRUFO (TMIH)
Life InYour Way makes a comeback with their EP combination album, Kingdoms. Kingdoms is the three EP’s (Kingdom of Man, God, and Darkness) put into one fantastic reunion album. Life In Your Way comes back stronger than ever with powerful music and spiritually motivating lyrics. The music is very original and good for old school hardcore veterans looking to tear up the pit like they did back in 2005. GOLDEN RESURRECTION There are no repetitive moments at all in MAN WITH A MISSION Kingdoms. The vocal style is very old school. Another collection of fine If you were a fan of bands like Beloved back melodic metal compositions in the day, you’ll love the non-stop changeups of Kingdoms. It’s an album to enjoy for has arrived from Golden Resurrection. years to come and we can only hope for Continuing where their previous album left more albums like it from Life In Your Way. off, Man With a Mission has a slightly more melodic vibe than the previous offering. The [COME&LIVE] NICK COTRUFO (THIS MOMENT IN HARDCORE) keyboards are a bit more pronounced in the first couple of tracks, but don’t despair as the guitar heroics of Tommy Johannson KIROS continue to shine brilliantly forth. With a LAY YOUR WEAPONS DOWN Outlaws and Prodigals, Kiros’ stronger lyrical output this time, Christian three-song EP, might have Liljegren shows why he is one of the most provided fans with some idea of what respected vocalists today. Strong hooks and was to come on the band’s full-length, effervescent melodies will grab even the but it’s also clear that it didn’t do any most wary listener. Fans of Dio and Yngwie justice to just how expansive Lay Your Malmsteen should be rejoicing in unison. Weapons Down would be. Kiros’ debut Recommended. [DOOLITTLE] KEVEN CROTHERS for Ain’t No Grave Records is a powerful release that spans the space between NOTHING TIL BLOOD modern and hard rock and sounds solid WHEN LIONS BECOME LAMBS all the way. “Unshaken” is the impressive Nothing Til Blood released their lead single that remains inventive while debut album just in time to throw following the conventional rock formula. down this holiday season. Strike First’s new The acoustic sing-along “Passive Through” band brings in heavy breakdowns and Spiritis a nice break from the proceedings, but filled lyrics throughout the album to get your the band’s also able to crank up the amps attention, but unfortunately the vocals aren’t on tunes like “Broken State.” Such a strong very good. The lyrics may be powerful, but the debut gives rise to confidence for a bright vocals are sloppy and hard to follow at points. future. [ANGR] MATT CONNER The album has its repetitive moments, but for the most part it stays on track and keeps changing things up. The finale of the album (“Depths of the Sea”) is a worshipful outro and a good close. Nothing Til Blood has the talent, but they just need to explore it a little more. [STRIKE FIRST] NICK COTRUFO (TMIH)
If you notice the razor-sharp hooks on Run Kid Run’s latest album, then you also won’t be surprised to see names like Matt Thiessen and Mark Townsend attached as producers. Patterns is the third LP from the Tooth & Nail band and they’ve never sounded better. “Back to the Basics” is already a rock radio hit and serves as proof that RKR’s finding a solid career groove. “Promise” reveals a softer side that balances the album well and combines with “War is Over” as the best showcase for David Josiah Curtis’s vocal work. It’s been three years since Love at the Core released and it’s clear the boys haven’t been wasting time. They’ve apparently been honing their craft, because this is a whip-smart pop/rock album. [TOOTH & NAIL] MATT CONNER
Ratings DV
Writer
Give Us Rest or...
David Crowder* Band
04
03*
Life In Your Way
04
05
Kingdoms
Kiros
04
Lay Your Weapons Down
Breathe In Life
Betraying the Martyrs
04
05
Man With A Mission
Golden Resurrection
03
03
When Lions Become Lambs
Nothing Til Blood
03*
03
Patterns
Run Kid Run
03
04
Hello
We Are Leo
03
02
S/T
Samestate
03
03
The Life and Death of A Plea for Purging
A Plea For Purging
04
04
God’s Not Dead
Newsboys
03
03
We Once Were
Rush of Fools
03
03
Believer
We The Gathered
03
03
Maylene and the Sons...
04*
04
IV