THROWBACK - Meadows: “Familiar With Pain” Album Review
Released on Good Friday 2024, Meadows’ Familiar with Pain is a conceptually ambitious metal album that serves as a journey through the events of Holy Week. The record balances thundering vocals and gritty guitar riffs with a deep, theologically-rich lyrical foundation.
To Fight For: New Single “Alive”
"Alive" is the latest hard-hitting single from the Nashville rock duo To Fight For. The track combines relentless metalcore energy with a message of letting go of past regrets to find new life through Christ.
Brotality: “Wormsign” EP Review
Brotality’s latest EP, Wormsign, marks a significant milestone for the New York-based trio, solidifying their reputation as one of the most consistent and hardworking acts in the modern Christian metal scene. Following their 2022 full-length release, The Woods Will End You, this five-track EP showcases a band that is rapidly evolving, blending technical thrash and groove metal with a more refined, mature sound.
Seventh Day Slumber: “Thy Kingdom Come” Album Review
In their 15th overall release, Seventh Day Slumber continues their streak of transforming contemporary worship staples into high-octane rock anthems. Thy Kingdom Come breathes new life into tracks by artists like Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham, swapping "CCM polish" for raw power chords, double-bass drumming, and Joseph Rojas’s signature deep, gravelly vocals. While a few tracks play it safe, the album remains a solid addition to the band's discography that successfully brings a rock-and-roll edge to modern worship.
The Caballerials: “Waxed Curbs & Suburbs” EP Review
The Caballerials bring 90s skate-punk nostalgia to their remastered EP, Waxed Curbs & Suburbs. It is a high-energy tribute to legends like Steve Caballero built for fans of classic, faith-driven pop-punk hooks. By combining raw power chords with optimistic lyrics, the band offers a fresh sound perfect for a summer drive.
Pipe Bomb: “Hell Hole” Album Review
Pipe Bomb’s debut full-length, Hell Hole, is a relentless explosion of "Chaotic Christian Metalcore" that draws heavy inspiration from legends like The Chariot, Norma Jean, and Every Time I Die. Birthed from the pain of personal betrayal, the record explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and the search for truth amidst a world of false teachings and "victim mindset" cultures.
Nate Parrish: “Make Me A Mountain” Album Review
In Make Me A Mountain, Nate Parrish (formerly of Kutless) delivers a high-energy pop-punk record perfect for open-highway drives. Blending the nostalgic sounds of MxPx and Blink-182 with guest spots from Jason Dunn and Josh Kemble, Parrish moves beyond typical punk tropes to offer lyrics that spark honest dialogue about faith and society. It’s a masterful balance of gritty, summer-ready anthems and vulnerable, self-reflective songwriting.
Irae: “Tetelestai” EP Review
Nashville’s Irae has burst onto the scene with Tetelestai, a two-song EP that packs a "brutal" punch. Featuring vocal powerhouses Mattie Montgomery and Shawn Jonas, the record combines scriptural worship with heavy breakdowns and technical drumming, signaling a high-energy future for this emerging Christian metal act.
Plead The Widow’s Cause: “Silver Glass Stare” Album Review
South Jersey’s Plead the Widow’s Cause delivers a high-energy debut with Silver Glass Stare. Blending 2000s post-hardcore with grunge and punk, the 11-track album pairs technical grit with a message of redemption.
Impending Doom: “Towards The Light” EP Review
Impending Doom’s 2025 EP, Towards the Light, reinforces their status as Christian metal titans. While the 11-minute runtime is brief, the release packs a punch with its signature 'gorship' sound, blending technical brutality with a bold evangelical urgency that culminates in a haunting call to reflection.
HolyName: “Three Bar Cross” EP Review
HolyName’s 2025 EP, Three Bar Cross, marks a powerful return for Tommy Green. The music blends heavy metal with deep Eastern Orthodox themes and honest reflections on human mistakes. Across four tracks, the project pairs haunting church-style chants with loud, bass-heavy sections. These songs create a raw and hopeful experience for anyone who appreciates hard-hitting music with a meaningful, spiritual message.
Magdalene Rose: “The Heart That Bloomed After Death” Album Review
Magdalene Rose makes a fearless solo debut with The Heart that Bloomed After Death, a genre-bending fusion of nostalgic pop-punk, rock, and heavy metal. The album explores raw themes of mental health, abuse, and betrayal, highlighting her powerful vocal screams and vulnerability. It is a striking journey through darkness that ultimately finds its way to hope and the restorative power of faith.
Meadows: “For A Good & Faithful Servant” Live Album Review
In the wake of a sudden snowstorm and the tragic loss of their bassist, Brandon Dabbs, Alabama-based band Meadows transformed a cancelled public show into a powerful, intimate live recording. Released on May 25, 2025, For A Good & Faithful Servant serves as a raw and moving tribute to their late friend, featuring a setlist of songs that Brandon helped create.
Diamonds To Dust: “Echoes Of Grace And Strife” Album Review
After a three-year hiatus, New York metal heavyweights Diamonds to Dust return with their most ambitious work to date, Echoes of Grace and Strife. Released via Manifest Records, this sixth studio release is a relentless masterclass in Christian metal, seamlessly blending technical brutality with profound spiritual vulnerability.
Rock The Halls: Our Five Favorite Christmas Albums
Forget silent nights—embrace the heavy metal holidays with our essential list of Christian alternative Christmas albums!
If you enjoy the heavier side of music, there are great holiday selections beyond the traditional. We've compiled 5 Christmas albums that are an absolute must-listen this season, featuring metalcore instrumentals, pop-punk holiday cheer, and heavy rock compilations.
Testimony Of Apocalypse: “Agony in the Garden” Album Review
Testimony of Apocalypse's Agony in the Garden is a high-energy Christian thrash metal album with bold, scripture-based lyrics.
The self-produced album centers on biblical themes of struggle and triumph, particularly from the Garden of Eden and Gethsemane, blending various metal styles with dynamic vocals. While the music features frequent, skilled guitar solos, the highlight is the passion and scripturally-driven storytelling of the lyrics.
Kutless: “The Seventh Seal” EP Review
Kutless successfully returns to their hard rock sound after 17 years with the EP, The Seventh Seal. They deliver, with driving riffs and powerful, Revelation-inspired lyrics, See our thoughts on this dystopian themed EP!
Scarlet Letter Society: “Crazy” Album Review
Scarlet Letter Society's re-released album, Crazy, successfully revives the hip-hop/rock fusion sound with a fresh, energetic take. The band skillfully blends catchy rap, heavy guitar riffs, and pop hooks. The lyrics are praised for being unflinchingly honest and real, delivering the gospel with great emotion. Crazy is a unique, fun, and highly recommended album.
(UN)Worthy: “From The Belly Of The Beast” EP Review
(UN)Worthy's latest release, the deathcore concept EP "From The Belly of the Beast," powerfully transforms the biblical Book of Jonah into a metal masterpiece. The five-track album is described as an "absolute stunner," featuring loud, aggressive music, intense breakdowns, and intricate guitar riffs, all working together seamlessly.
Hope Deferred: “Darkness Remains” Album Review
Darkness Remains is a brutal death metal album by Hope Deferred, featuring former Showdown vocalist David Burton and members of The Famine/Embodyment. Burton's vocal screams blend perfectly with the band's relentless, riff-heavy sound—a "match made in heaven." Lyrically, the album delivers savage attacks on false teachings and the prosperity gospel. It’s a great death metal experience from start to finish.