BEC Recordings’ band, Kutless, will released their new album ALPHA / OMEGA with BEC Recordings on November 10. With ALPHA / OMEGA, Kutless has created a collection of rock and worship songs of both original and cover tracks that are true to who the band has been for the last 17 years. They wanted to create a project that would engage the Christian community and have the greatest impact. The songs are true to who the band is at their core - rock and worship.
“Our band actually started out as a worship band while we were in college, and that became the launching point for the music we would do for the past 15 years,” shares frontman Jon Micah Sumrall. “I think a lot of people think that worship music and rock music are at odds with one another. I think one of the really unique things about our band is the ability to blend these two worlds together."
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Kutless Rocks at Worship| Posted October 20, 2017
It's true: the Christian music industry has become saturated with contemporary yet reverent worship tunes. Plus, rock has in some ways become an obsolete relic of the past. Many of us fans predict (and are hopeful) that rock will rise again. Jon Micah Sumrall, lead singer of Kutless, believes there is room for both. "I think a lot of people think that worship music and rock music are at odds with one another," Sumrall says. "A song is either a 'worship song' or a 'rock song.' I really believe a song can be both."
Kutless' new album Alpha / Omega exemplifies this fact, fusing worship and rock together. Kutless add guitar riffs to some worship favorites, such as Hillsong's "Cornerstone" and Natalie Grant's "In Your Name." The album's stand out song is the band's cover of All Sons & Daughters' "Great Are You Lord."
The album also includes a new version of their hit "Strong Tower." Sumrall says Alpha / Omega's musical approach is no different than their earlier efforts. "This new record has some very recognizable worship songs on it, but our approach to playing these songs were no different from any other song that we would play."
Besides the worship covers, Kutless included a number of originals on the record as well. Sumrall uses scripture as a lyrical foundation to write music, and at times, he adds personal experience as well. "'Shepherd of My Soul' is a great example of a song that was inspired by a well-known passage of scripture," he says. "The lyrics closely follow Psalm 23, but they also include some personal reflection on this passage of scripture." For listeners looking for a collection of songs with reverent lyrics, you won't be disappointed.
Similar to any album, there are musical setbacks: "Gave It All (I Surrender All)" and "No Wonder" are less strong tracks. However, they are still worth a listen at least once.
The Bottom Line: I applaud Kutless for again mixing guitar riffs with today's worship songs. The band moves away from a contemporary music sound to embrace their rock roots, paired with vertical lyrics. If you pick this album up, you'll get what you pay for.
Song to Download Now:
"Great Are You Lord" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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