So its been some time since I have written a review and its great to get back into the saddle again. Been just so busy with life in general, and the fact that my band is finishing up on some recordings, has made available time to do reviews a little thin. Well, that part of my life is coming to a close for awhile, which means I can get down to writing again. Which I love to do by the way.
Whats better to start the comeback than with this compilation release with some great bands such as Narnia, Audiovision, Devinefire, Golden Resurrection and Modest Attraction. I am sure you must know, or have heard one of these names if you have been into metal or are into metal. Its one of the strongest compilations I have heard in awhile, and the songs flow nicely into one another. “Metal for Jesus” compilation is a great compilation for any metal-head collector. Its an album that comprises of seventeen metal songs that introduces you to some of the best Christian metal music out of Sweden. This release is also so much more than the music itself, its also about the message it brings.
So lets dig in and go through it a bit.
“I (Johannes Jonsson/MetalForJesus Founder) strongly believe that it will have a great impact on the Metal World and be a tool to help many to get to know Christ and also to draw people that have lost faith back to Christ again. Amen.” – Untombed Webzine. I can link my heart with these words, and I am able to agree with Johannes, this album has some great bands, period, and the album comes across in a non in your face manner, yet is undeniably Christ centered through the lyrical content. These bands from a musical level are able to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best secular counterparts out there. So whether you are Christian or not, this album should have a wide appeal, maybe some secular guys might be put off by the album title, but in total if they get down listening to it, I think they would be very impressed at the level of musicianship and sincerity that comes through on this release.
“The album is a cooperation between me and Christian Liljegren (Liljegren Records, Narnia, Golden Resurrection) and we are really excited to let you know about it! We have really felt God’s guidance and presence when making this album and we pray and believe that you will be blessed and inspired by it as well.”- Untombed Webzine. From a ministry perspective this immediately not only gets my attention, but my respect. One can see the focus of this release is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and you get a sense of that listening to it. I remember when I first put it on, a lay back on my bed, volume on loud, and man, from the start there was this sense of passion and love for Christ that oozed through the tracks.
“This is not just an album – it is a BOLD proclamation for the kingdom of God in the Metal World! We feel that in this crazy world we live in it is definitely time to stand strong and get bold for what we Christians believe in and take a stand for JESUS in the Metal World!”- Untombed Webzine. Songs like, “People of the Blood Red Cross” by Narnia, “We will go” by Audiovision, Proud to wear the Holy Cross by Golden Ressurrection or “Open Your Eyes” by Devinefire are great songs in someway echoing the words above, and giving a BOLD proclamation of their faith in Jesus Christ. This album makes a stand, more than a statement, a stand for the Kingdom of God.
In conclusion I urge you to go download this album, I cannot speak more highly of this release and the heart behind it. Like with Punk for the Gospel part 1 and 2 off Thumper Punk Records, this is not some quick hotch potch compilation put together for sake of making a compilation of bands available to the listener, it actually holds a message, and has a purpose that is rooted at the foot of the Cross. I have a passion for such releases, and maybe its something to do with being involved in the ministry field myself. This album is far more than the quality of the music, though its a very high standard indeed, its about the message it holds. Personally I cannot say it better than Johannes himself, “The world is getting more chaotic every day and people are looking desperately for the meaning of life. But many search in all the wrong places and get trapped in drugs and other bad things. My heart is bleeding for these people and I really want to do ALL I can to reach them with the message of hope that Jesus can fill the emptiness in their lives and give their lives real meaning and satisfaction.” He continues, “We want Jesus to be glorified and we dedicate this album to Him! Focus on the album is totally on God and what Christian faith is all about. Booklet contains salvation prayer and comments by me where I explain the lyrics and talk about God’s mercy, why Jesus is the only way to God, second coming of Jesus, prayer and how to get to know Jesus and overall what true Christian faith is all about.
To sum it up The Metal For Jesus album is a great ministry tool and a perfect gift to your unsaved friend to let him/her know about Christ and introduce them to quality Christian Metal.” – Johannes – Entombed webzine.
That about sums it all up in a nut shell, give it a listen, its a great album with a great message, the songs flow with great effect from each other, and certainly the message of Jesus oozes out through out the album. This is more than an album, its an outreach tool. Include this into your resources to reach the lost. As I said my heart is so with what has been done here, and I cannot help but be bias about it 100%. Thanks for taking the time to read this review, and I wish you all of God’s best.
As an additional I thought to include the brief biographies that were included in the press-kit I got. Makes for interesting reading. So herewith below they are:
Narnia
Melodic metal band who has released 6 studio album, 1 live album and 1 live DVD with good success and topped metal charts in magazines. The band have been touring with Ronnie James Dio, Statovarius, Sonata Arctica to name a few. One of the most loved Christian metal bands around.
Audiovision
This was from the beginning solo project by Christian Liljegren who invited lots of guests on the first album ”The Calling” featuring members from Kiss, Whitesnake, Europe, Yngwie Malmsteen´s Rising Force. In 2009 Audiovision became a touring band and released their 2nd album Focus who received good feedback. Audiovision were touring together with Stryper in Sweden and Germany 2010.
Divinefire
This metal band was creating a metal style where they blended melodic metal with extreme metal elements in a unique combination. The band has released 5 studio albums and topped metal charts in metal magazines. They also did a successful was tour in Japan. Metal lovers around the world love their fast symphonic metal with harder elements.
Golden Resurrection
This neoclassical power metal band formed by Christian Liljegren (Narnia) and Tommy ReinXeed vocalist and guitarist from power metal band ReinXeed. Golden Resurrection have released 3 studio albums and their latest one ”One Voice For The Kingdom” has received great feedback in metal media and been touring in Sweden, Norway, Finland & Germany.
Modest Attraction
This band existed between 1991-1997 playing 70´s influenced hardrock like Deep Purple, Rainbow, The Sweet & Uriah Heep and they also played together with Uriah Heep and Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) and did several tours in Europe . The band will do a special show October 26, 2013 in Sweden with the original line-up. The band released 2 studio albums and 1 mini album.
Written by Donovan de Necker
Rating: 10/10
Tracklist:
1. Narnia – People of the Bloodred Cross – Taken from Enter The gate album
2. Narnia – Living Water – Taken from Long Live The King album
3. Narnia – Long Live The King – Taken from Long Live The King album
4. Audiovision – The Way – Taken from the Focus album
5. Audiovision – The Way – We Will Go – Taken from the Focus album
6. Divinefire – Divinefire – Taken from the Hero album
7. Divinefire – Live My Life For You – Taken from the Glory Thy Name album
8. Golden Resurrection – Proud To Wear The Holy Cross taken from Glory To My King album
9. Modest Attraction – Down On My Knees taken from the The Truth In Your Face album
10. Golden Resurrection – The Final Day Taken from Glory To My King album
11. Golden Resurrection – God’s Mercy – Taken from One Voice For The Kingdom album
12. Divinefire – Never Surrender – Taken from Eye Of The Storm album
13. Golden Resurrection – Flaming Youth – Taken from the Man with A Mission album
14. Golden Resurrection – Golden Resurrection – Taken from the One Voice For The Kingdom album
15. Divinefire – Open Your Eyes – Taken from the Hero album
16. Divinefire – Bright Morning Star – Taken from the Eye Of The Storm album
17. Divinefire – The Way To Eternity – Taken from Glory Thy Name album
Record Label: Doolittle Group, Aug. 2013
Weblinks: Doolittle / MetalCommunitySweden
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
USA: Metal Helm
Video below: Narnia – Living Water
Video below: Divinefire – Never Surrender