The grit and passion of the South come through in a rock band like Decyfer Down. For nearly 20 years, the band has been creating music that hits people at their core, both spiritually and emotionally. The evidence of their impact is clear. They've had their songs featured in the UFC and WWE, earned Grammy and Dove Award nominations, and opened for big-name rock acts like Skillet, Red, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Yes, despite it all, they have claimed the hearts of their fans with only four albums over the past twenty years.

Decyfer Down is in the spotlight with their latest collaboration, teaming up with longtime friends from the band Disciple on the  track "Resurrecting Reasons." It made us realize how much we'd missed the band's music since their last album, The Other Side of Darkness, came out in 2016. They did release a standalone single, "Cycles," in 2023, though. So, let's look back at some of their best songs, both the high-energy songs that feel like a shot of adrenaline and the tender, softer songs where the strings sing more than the voice of the singer, T.J. Harris, or original vocalist, Caleb Oliver.

"Resurrecting Reasons"

As mentioned, this is the first new song that we've heard T.J. Harris sing since 2023's single, "Cycles." In this song, we hear the two singers’ voices harmonize so well together; both T.J. Harris and Disciple's lead vocalist, Kevin Young, have such distinct, strong accents that when heard together, it's a treat for the ears. However, you can hear that Harris truly believes in the heart of the song, one that echoes back to Disciple's early days.
"Forever With You"

Decyfer Down has proven themselves worthy of the Grammy and Dove award nominations for their heavy-hitting rock music, as well as for their ability to shift the attention to softer moments. One of the songs that captured the hearts of their fans in such a way was "Forever With You." This one has brought me a lot of encouragement over the years. It is a simple yet honest cry out to God, reminding us that He shows us and is with us forever, no matter what.
 
"Believe In Me"

After spending an extended break from releasing music, Decypher Down returned with The Other Side of Darkness almost 10 years ago. Many of the songs were instant classics, sounding just as great and powerful as their predecessors. When I heard "Believe In Me," it was a delicate and comforting display that the band is still not afraid to strip the louder music back, allowing it to speak to the soul more clearly.
 
"Fight Like This"

Arguably, the album that started the momentum for Decyfer Down's success and attention was their debut, End of Grey. Although this period in the band featured a different singer, Caleb Oliver, from what most are familiar with today, it was still a notable release. When you hear the intro to "Fight Like This," it's undeniable that the band started something demanding and unique. The gritty vocals, the soaring chorus, and the catchy, in-your-face lyrics; it's a special package. Everyone, from churches to bars to arenas, has sung and screamed along to this anthem and will continue to do so.
 
"Memory"

It's no secret that every band has a record that's less popular than the others, and for Decyfer Down, that record is Scarecrow, their third album, released in 2013. However, what makes this album unique is the Southern roots that are more evident than in others. There is more twang, and Harris even seems to lean into his accent more in these songs. The first song, "Memory," still embodies the core of the band that fans have come to love, but adds a special twist that I cannot help but love, and many other fans, too.
 
"Best I Can"

Perhaps the most personal song for me is "Best I Can." This is another touching ballad, but it's more than just a soft song on the most popular album, Crash. When the chorus hits with the heart-wrenching cry of, "I don't live a perfect/But God knows I'm trying the best I can," who could deny that we've all felt that way before? It's songs like these that keep us going in the hard times when we can't quite connect with the more aggressive, high-energy songs.
 
"Desperate"

I'd be a fool not to mention "Desperate." Although the album Crash had three #1 Christian rock hits, this song always feels like it packs a bit more punch than "Crash" and "Fading," despite their success. "Desperate" also features one of the most impressive vocal runs from Harris to date. But ultimately, this song is a prime example of Decyfer Down's music from start to finish. What are your favorite songs? It may be clichéd, but we're growing increasingly desperate for new original music from the band.