Despite the challenges of 2020, we've seen many great bands and artists release fantastic music. Along with other websites and groups, NewReleaseToday is prepping for our We Love Awards, awarding accolades for the best music of the year, including rock music. Speaking of rock, Here are this week's highlights.
New Music: Ben Dixon
Musician Ben Dixon, a man who loves heavy rock, combines Jesus with his music well. Ben Dixon's self-titled solo band released its first album, Oh Propitiation, in 2020. It's creative with some experimentation: some spoken scripture and varied musical styles. Each song is memorable. Ben's talent shines throughout the whole album. Without a doubt, Ben strives to spread biblical, theological messages and hope through his heavy music. He also covers popular contemporary Christian music as well on his YouTube channel.
Listen to: "See The King," "The Brightest Light," Jeremy Camp's "I Still Believe" (on YouTube)
New Online Shows: Disciple, Lifehouse, ABR
Three anniversary-styled livestream concerts have been announced for three iconic Christian rock albums. Disciple's Horseshoes and Handgrenades is 10 years old. Lifehouse's debut album, No Name Face, turns 20 as well. Let's not forget August Burns Red's first studio album, Thrill Seeker, which turns 15 years old.
Disciple's show will have a Q&A the night before the show for their VIP members: rereleased merch, fan-video submissions, and the original line-up. That show is on November 21, 2020. Lifehouse's concert will be a stripped-down night of music at the end of October. For August Burns Red's show, vocalist Jake Luhrs will perform a few songs (the digital concert will be recorded with six cameras for extra quality. Their show is on November 14, 2020. These albums are going to be my throwback albums in this edition of The Rock Report.
News Headline: Love and Death Signs to Earache Records
Brian "Head" Welch has just signed with European music label Earache Records. His band, Love and Death, will soon release their second album, which will have physical and digital distribution. It has been seven years since the band released its first album, Between Here and Lost, in 2013. The band's last release was the 2016 single, "Lo Momento." Love and Death is expected to drop their second album in 2021. More news to come.
Song Devotional: World Divided "Dispirit"
World Divided is a band featuring Danyal Suchta, of metalcore act Convictions, and artist Fabian Rubio. The band is pure, heavy metalcore, nothing short of emotive and passionate songwriting. Their newest song, "Dispirit" is intense: cool nu-metal influences that's heavy on screams, light on singing. The song's message is a call out to Christian leaders. The world tries to discourage and smear Christian leaders and sadly, it often weaves into people's hearts.
Danyal says, "This song is a call out to all Christian leaders, myself included. Leaders are bending to the world and saying yes to things that are not okay. They say that the Bible doesn't apply to modern life because it was written long ago. They'll put down their Savior to have fame and money themselves. It's a struggle I had to go through mentally and still do sometimes."
This lyric challenges us: "sink a knife in my throat/I won't make a sound/you'll put a bullet in your Savior and burn his crown." Having people look up to you is a good feeling, but also a great responsibility. If you know you are in a position of leading, I encourage you to evaluate your priorities and biblical beliefs. It is better to change what you need to, now, than be the reason behind a call-out song like this.
Ryan Adams lives in Ohio but grew up in Boise, Idaho. He graduated Boise Bible College in 2018. He fell in love with the heavy music scene through a best friend and enjoys sharing his love for it through NRT.
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