Seventh Day Slumber returned earlier this year with “Love & Worship”, a collection of praise and worship songs for the post grunge set. Taking songs that were already popular in the worship arena, they infused them with their brand of alternative rock, transforming them into something with a different dynamic. Most of the songs start off ‘normally’ enough with soft acoustics and keyboard but soon the dynamics kick in with loud drums and heavy guitars. One would think that would detract from the worship aspect but it does not. While they don’t bring anything drastically new to these songs, they have molded them into power anthems for their fans, new and old alike.

I guess I’m one of those who weren’t a fan. I knew who they were, had heard a song or two by them, but had never listened to an entire SDS album until now. I admit it was the promise of worship that drew me into this release, and in that I am not disappointed. Not only did I hear new versions of songs made famous by Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman, I was introduced to worship tracks I’d never heard before. And if I had heard them they didn’t sound out like this.

One thing I noticed here, and liked very much, was that the album seems to start out a little slow, beginning with the popular favorite “Our God” and steadily increases in tone and power as we move further into it. We are treated to one of the best songs early on though -  “I Am Not The Same”, which praises and celebrates the saving grace of Christ and the way it changes us from who we were.

Nothing much new is found in Redman’s “10,000 Reasons”, but then they unleash the double punch of “Stronger” and “Forever Reign”, the latter being a prime example of a worship song as a hands in the air rock anthem. This seems to be a rallying cry for the rest of the album, for it is here both the energy and decibels increase the longer we listen. First with “Here With Me”, and then coming up strong and triumphant with a rousing version of “White Flag”, a song I first heard on Chris Tomlin’s Burning Lights CD. This track should have you shouting the refrain from the top of your lungs. It’s difficult to bring feeling into a standard rock song, but here they do it well, working the listener into flurry of praise and surrender.

“Your Name High” is another choice track, and probably the fastest song on the album. Again, it is the type of song that will get you pumped for Jesus, with a great chorus hook and loud sing-along vocals. I can imagine in a live setting this song will be a transforming experience indeed.

The album ends with “Never Let Go”, an affirmative statement of rousing faith and praise. Beginning with quieter guitar, it builds and builds until you can help but sing along when the chorus comes forth with heavy guitars and power drums. This is a perfect ending to the album with its message of hope and declarations of deliverance. If you feel the need to tell everyone how you feel about Jesus and what he has done for you, just play them this track….Then go back and start the album all over again.