Until last summer, I had never heard of this band. I picked up a demo of this album to get a taste for what style of music they played. I was very surprised with what I heard. It is a heavier style of rock with very Christ-filled and thought provoking lyrics. Some of these songs have bone crushing guitars, but each with powerful lyrics that complement the melodies of the songs. The musicality of this album perfectly complements the lyrics written. Each song bears a unique and beautiful quality. For those who are not particularly fond of hard rock music, this might not be the album for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for something different and you are willing to try something new, you might really enjoy what you hear. Behold is a masterpiece using heavy guitars to enhance powerful messages of God’s power and greatness.

Arise: This song serves as a prologue of sorts. It is a call to worship the One true King. “He reigns in infinite dominion enthroned with no rival.” Piano and synthesizers are used to accompany these words as the singer announces the coming of the King. After he is finished announcing Him, there is an instrumental that leaves the listener with a sense of awe. This leads to us to the next track which is all about the most High King entitled “Hail”

Hail: This song begins with a marching beat from the drums as the singer begins to describe the scene. He describes how he feels in front of the Almighty God. He feels worthless. He tries to sing, but all he can do is bow his head because he is in the presence of God Himself. This is then followed by heavier guitars as he describes the greatness of God and how little he is in His presence. God is so holy and beautiful that it causes him to see how unworthy he is. He deserves nothing from God. He deserves death, but instead of condemning Him God gives him mercy through Christ. The song ends with the singer worshiping Jesus for all of His mercy and grace.

Curse: This song is more thought provoking in nature. Many people have questioned the disciples of Jesus and why they were so quick to run when He was arrested. This song asks the question “Aren’t we the same as them?” The singer begins by saying that he is watching as Jesus is torn apart in everyday life. This is not literal, but metaphorical in ways such as watching people act in hate, starting wars, and people not practicing what Jesus asked us to practice. He says that he always thought he would be one to die by the side of Jesus, but he realizes that he would have done the same as the disciples. If he doesn’t stand up for injustice and act as Jesus did, then it is the same as the disciples leaving Him to die alone. The song ends with the singer realizing just what it means to be a follower of Jesus. “You’re alive and we’re the flesh you’ll wear till the worlds end.” Jesus has chosen us to be imitators of Him and to show the world who He is. This is a huge task, but this is what we sign up for when we decide to follow Jesus. He has chosen us to stand for Him.

Confession: This song speaks against putting your stock in what you can accomplish and what you can gain on earth. The singer talks about the strong man and the rich man, but for each man when they die, their works will fade. The singer then pleads that God would help him only trust in Him. He wants no part in Himself. He wants God and God alone. “I don’t wanna find my life cause You say that’s a deadly thing. I know every time I try I always end up losing everything.” He only wants God because he knows that He is the only One who can offer fulfillment. He asks that in the end he could die as the thief next to Jesus where his greatest joy would be to die for Jesus. Because of this life he has found in Jesus he thanks God and pledges his life to Him.

 

Royal: This is another song about God’s greatness. The use of heavy guitars gives the feeling of power throughout the song. The singer expresses that he is overcome with the greatness of God. He asks that God would call to him and fill his mind. He is then overcome again and realizes that he is in the presence of the Almighty God. He asks that God just condemn him. He is reverent before Him. God then reminds him of His grace and that He has called him his child and made him a part of His royal family.

Approach: This song serves as a transition into the next song. Like the first track it introduces the Most High King. This time they describe how the earth reacts as He approaches. The singer gives amazing imagery of what creation might do in the presence of God. It portrays the greatness and beauty of God.

Liturgy: The singer sings about his struggle to sing songs that are worthy to be sung about God. No matter how hard he tries he can’t sing a song perfect enough for His creator. Although he knows he never will he will never stop trying. This shows true worship. Always pursuing God and wanting to give Him praise because He is worthy. This song is a personal favorite. Sometimes I think about how no matter what I sing, I will never sing a song worthy of Him. It causes me to sing even more. All we do should be for His glory. He fills us up with praises so that we might pour them back to Him.

Lament: They touch on something very heart wrenching here. They talk about the loss of a friend who took their own life. The way they arrange the music in this song really compliments what the song is about. The singer feels confused and lost as they struggle with the loss of their friend. He knows that God is good, but it doesn’t seem that way at the time. He feels as though man is just a dot on the map. Their life is here then gone. He then contemplates how God has great love for man. He knows that the truth is no one will have peace till they find their place in God. He then responds by asking God to give him strength to show people the light and the love of Christ so they might know Him. He will not watch others die and be silent.

Zion: This is a much lower key song. It is about waiting for Jesus to come back and rescue us. We eagerly wait for His return so that we might be one with Him. Although we will continue to do the work He has given us on earth we will not become too attached to our lives because we are waiting for Him to return for His bride.

Selah: This song is more reflective in nature. The singer asks that he be made new. He wants to be fully emerged in Christ. He wants nothing of his former self to exist. He wishes only to breathe for Christ and for the glory of Christ. He only desires to belong to God and not man or their worldly systems. This song is also one of my favorites.

Arrive: To close the album they sing a song about seeing Christ. It is a song of triumph when we finally get to be with Christ. We know He will come back for his Sons and Daughters and we eagerly wait for Him to come. This song builds better than any other song on the album. It starts low and continues to build throughout the course of the song. By the end of it you really feel overcome with the thought of getting to see Christ for the first time. He ends with lines about seeing His face and the glory of seeing Him. It is a great way to end the album.

Personally I think this is one of the best albums I have ever heard and I wish this band were more popular because all of their albums are very good. For all you rock fans this is a must buy. For those of you who love great lyrics, you should also give it a try. This is a great album with refreshing lyrics about Christ and our desire to be One with Christ.