Rival Choir from Texas were formerly known as Mouth Of The South. Rival Choir is the beginning of a new chapter for this band. The following is what they have to say for themselves on facebook about the name-change:
“Rival Choir is a continuation of Mouth of the South. After almost 9 years of being a band and going through countless member and style changes we decided that our next step as a collective would be to rebrand ourselves entirely, which will include changing our name into Rival Choir. With our newest direction as a band both musical and missional we feel like the name fully encompasses who we are and what we are going for. We thank you for your support throughout the years and we are excited to see where this next chapter will take us.”
Now they returned to Glow in the Dark Studios to work with Matt McClellan (Being As An Ocean, The Devil Wears Prada), and came out with a whole new album “I Believe, Help My Unbelief”.
With our newest direction as a band both musical and missional we feel like the name fully encompasses who we are and what we are going for. We thank you for your support throughout the years and we are excited to see where this next chapter will take us. and style changes we decided that our next step as a collective would be to rebrand ourselves entirely, which will include changing our name to Rival Choir. With our newest direction as a band both musical and missional we feel like the name fully encompasses who we are and what we are going for. We thank you for your support throughout the years and we are excited to see where this next chapter will take us. and style changes we decided that our next step as a collective would be to rebrand ourselves entirely, which will include changing our name to Rival Choir. With our newest direction as a band both musical and missional we feel like the name fully encompasses who we are and what we are going for. We thank you for your support throughout the years and we are excited to see where this next chapter willRival Choir will hit the road with Oh, Sleeper in February in support of this release.
The lyrics on this album are primarily about issues every Christian has to deal with; sin, doubt, forgiveness and the struggle of finding peace with a loving and forgiving God. I realy hope that I do the lyrics justice by this short summary. I think, if you are a Christian, that in a way we all can relate to the lyrics and find comfort in them, and it gives you the strength to carry on.
As you will probably understand by now, these subjects come with passion and it is clear that they have put all their passion in the music and lyrics. When I listen to the album I can hear the frustration and a cry for help from a man who is struggling with his own feelings. What music is better to express these emotions than hardcore? All the required elements are present but don’t expect an album full of breakdowns, rather expect blistering riffs and passionate screaming. I can hear the influences from bands like Norma Jean and Underoath for example, but with their own unique twist, Rival Choir really have found their own sound.
This time I am not going to give a song by song description because everything is said in the previous paragraph. I can mention though that the album doesn’t have a long intro or something like that. From the very beginning it is high energy and power all over the place. Songs like ‘Beggar’ show us the whole new Rival Choir and what they stand for. What a musicianship!
One song that also is worth mentioning in my opinion is ‘Quiet Life’. This is a song that begins with acoustic guitar and almost clean singing, this is a song full of passion (yes, there is that word again) and it builds up slowly to a climax. This song reminds me at some parts of their label-mates Everything In Slow Motion, but again, with their own sound. As a matter of fact, the same goes for the song ‘Sojourn’. At moments this song is a bit ballad-like but interspersed with hardcore of course.
All twelve songs on this album are interesting in their own way, never a dull moment. A lot of tempo-changes in almost every song.
What caught my attention and what I find worth mentioning is what the band wrote in the ‘thank you’ section on the CD case is the following: “We want to thank you for getting this record and letting us be a part of your lives. It is an honour and privilege to be able to share our hearts with you in the form of music and we hope that these songs provide you with encouragement and hope. We love you and Jesus Christ loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that.” A bold statement which shows us what Rival Choir is all about and what they stand for.
Did I mention by the way that I am in love with the last song on the record? ‘Help My Unbelieve’ gives me goosebumps from head to toes.
You know what? I am not going to say another word about is anymore. Except this: Buy this album and get encouraged! Thank you Rival Choir for sharing your hearts and passion with us …..
Rating: 8.5/10
Written by: René Woning
Tracklist:
1. Poured Out
2. Beggar
3. Empty Words
4. Reveal, Renew
5. Quiet Life
6. Aftermath
7. Remission
8. House Fire
9. Sojourn
10. Convalesce
11. I Believe
12. Help My Unbelieve
Band members:
Vocals- Josiah Lyle
Guitar- Christian Prince
Bass- Colton Bartholet
Drums – Garrett Metzger
Discography:
“I Believe, Help My Unbelief” (2016)
Record label: Facedown Records, February 2016
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
Video for ‘Beggar’
Video for ‘Help My Unbelieve’