Stripped Down, But Lacking Nothing | Posted November 13, 2012
Hillsong Chapel is an offshoot worship ministry based out of nationally acclaimed Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. Having released their first project, Yahweh, in 2010, the focus of Hillsong Chapel is to take some of the most beloved songs birthed out of both Hillsong Live and Hillsong United, and strip them down into more intimate acoustic-type settings--making the worship experience for the listener that much more personal.
Forever Reign comes as the ministry's latest CD/DVD effort, and embodies the heartfelt passion of the Hillsong praise team, while uniquely taking it to a whole new level.
"God Is Able" begins the project on a simple and wholehearted note, and transitions directly into a moving acoustic version of "Hallelujah (Our God Reigns)."
Driven with a hauntingly beautiful piano arrangement, the warm-feeling "Rhythms Of Grace" sounds like it could be a modern day hymn, while "You" picks up the pace a tad and becomes an upbeat moment on the record.
Hillsong staple "Cornerstone" makes a well executed appearance, while the classic hymn, "It Is Well With My Soul," stands as one of the best songs on the album. The melodic yet breezy arrangement is outside of the Hillsong norm, and stands apart from the rest of the CD--a fabulous rendition.
The project's namesake--and what is quickly becoming one of the most sung church anthems of our time--"Forever Reign" doesn't differ much from the original version, but is a nice addition nonetheless. The reconstructed "Desert Song" will become a favorite among listeners, and the powerfully worshipful "His Glory Appears" will leave listeners engulfed in the presence of God, it being my favorite on the record.
"The Lost Are Found" is a stripped down masterpiece of melodic praise, while the last two tracks on the album, the well-known "Beautiful Exchange" and "With Everything" stay mostly acoustic. The latter of the two clocks in as the longest song on the record and the most passionate sounding from a vocal standpoint.
Closing Thoughts:
This is a beautiful collection of Hillsong and Hillsong United hits in the barest form you will find them, making them the most intimate and "to-the-core" renditions out there. Several of the songs don't differ much from their live and/or studio recordings, which might turn off potential buyers looking to hear something new, but the songs that have been rearranged to provide a new worship experience are well worth the investment alone.
I can see Forever Reign being the perfect album for small group worship sessions, and is a definite go-to for private moments of soaking in the presence of God.
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