So at SXSW in 2009, Chuck and I were able to witness Wovenhand live for the first time, and have forever since been singing the band’s praises. Alot of our friends have been asking us what their live shows were like, and while we could find a soing here and a song there, we could never really point to somethiong that demosntarted the experiance that we raverd about.

Until now.

The video below is a full set (over and hour) from Wovenhand at Musiques en Stock Festival in what appears to be France. Many of the songs, especially in the beginning of the set, come from the band’s latest release, The Threshingfloor, which became available just a few months ago. Watch the video, go buy the album, and then go check out the band on tour! Enjoy

Since I havent posted much about metal lately, here are a couple of professionally shot videos from For Today at their CD release show in St. Paul Minnesota. The band released their monumental album entitled Devastator this week, and my opinion is that it is the best thing they have done in their already amazing career.

For Today, Sleeping Giant, and a handful of bands like them are reviving a movement that started back in the 90s of hardcore bands that speak blatantly and honestly about their faith. The purpose of the live shows are to create a place of worship like none found in todays churches. I have posted the lyrics for the songs below in the hopes that you are able to understand this a little better and see that God can use any music style to draw hearts towards Him. Enjoy!

Devastator

Seraphim

Devastator
Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down.
And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.
Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down.
And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.

Let my name be feared at the gates of hell, as I exalt the Savior.
The One that died to buy my victory, and gave me a new name.
Let my name be feared at the gates of hell, as I exalt the Savior.
In the name of the Holy One of God,
I will cast you down at the foot of the cross He hung from.
I will stand behind my Savior, as He burns your kingdom down.
And I will see you on your knees before the King of Kings.
You will lose your throne to the chosen ones. The chosen ones will rise.

Tear it to the ground! This is the army we’ve been waiting for.
Tear it to the ground! We will storm the gates of hell and we will…
tear it to the ground! We stand behind the one that conquered death.
Tear it to the ground! And we will stand when there is nothing left.
Tear it to the ground! Tear it to the ground!

Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down.
And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.

Seraphim
Burn, and let the whole world see! You were made to burn.
…and let the whole world see! You were made to burn.
…and let the whole world see! You were made to burn.

I see an old breed of prophet arising, speaking as voices from another age;
set ablaze with the flame of the Spirit of God, and sent from before the throne.
…sent from before the throne.
We are sent from before the throne to stand up and speak out,
and let hell tremble when they hear us say,
“We are the burning ones, and we will not be contained!”
“We are the burning ones, and we will not be contained!” Oh…

Burning ones, arise! Come forth!

Oh take your flame, ignite the world! Oh take your flame, ignite the world!
…ignite the world! Take your flame, ignite the world! Take your flame, ignite the
world! Take your flame, ignite the world! Take your flame, ignite the world!

Below are some professionally shot videos of Thrice performing at this years Area4 Festival. Both videos really showcase how Thrice has earned their good by constantly putting a great shows, rather it be in front of 100 people at a club or thousands at festivals like these. Enjoy these videos:

Of Dust And Nations

Helter Skelter

Come&Live! is a great source for exceptional free music. Their artists give away their music as a gift to the people that they are serving, and see it as part of their ministry to do so. In the last year, Come&Live! have attracted a number of talented artists, including So Long Forgotten, Ascend The Hill, and most recently Showbread.

The label had a new release this week from one of their flagship artists, The Ember Days, with their new EP entitled Finger Painting. If you already own the band’s self-titled EP, then let me say that these 5 songs are light years from their previous material. The New Zealand band has really injected their own voice into the worship music they write, and the result is something that is sure to touch your heart and move your spirit.

You can download the EP from Come&Live! below for free or with a donation of your choosing.

Download The Ember Days- Finger Painting EP

I think that what makes a beautiful song sometimes is not in its complexity or originality, but sometimes from its simplicity. Repetition can help drive ideas home sometimes, and steady rhythm can make you feel like you are floating down a quiet river in spring. The Innocence Mission have made a career out of honing those particular elements, and none quiet as elegantly as a track from their 2010 album ( My Room In The Trees ) called “God Is Love”.

Some Of the truths in the song are so easy to understand, while other lines can be interpreted in so many different ways. I feel like this song is perhaps about moving through life, eyes open, but not afraid because God is on our side.

Rain or shine, this street of mine is golden.
Rain or shine, this street of mine is golden
with the gold of hickory leaves.
I can walk under these clouds.
Rain or shine, this street of mine is golden.

God is love
and love will never fail me.
God is love
and love will never fail me.
If I’m driving there today
and I really am this afraid,
God is love
and love will never fail me.

Some birds I know are moving on this weekend.
Some birds I know are moving on this weekend.
And I’m under the sky, I am on the ground, with my coat.
Some birds I know are moving on this weekend.

God is love
and love will never fail me.
God is love
and love will never fail me.
And some days I will decide
to let everything else go by.
God is love
and love will never fail me.

The Fingerpainting EP
The Ember Days
Come&Live!
Worship
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3

Breaker
For Today
Facedown Records
Metalcore
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Love God. Love People
Israel Houghton
Columbia Records
Gospel/R&B
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3 [+digital booklet/bonus track]

New Releases For September 1st, 2010

The Distance EP
The Wedding
Independent
Hard Rock

Last week Sufjan Stevens dropped a new EP on us (All The Delighted People), and not even 48 hours later announced that a full length was not far behind. Stereogum posted the first track called “I Walked” from the upcoming LP, entitled The Age Of Adz, for free download this week. It has a lot more of a electronic feel to it, but that’s Sufjan doin’ his thing.

Download new Sufjan Stevens song, “I Walked”, from Stereogum

Our buddy (morse) is back with another offering of minimalist electronic goodness. If you were with us way back in the beginning, you will know that (morse) provided us with one of our very first Free Album Downloads. Its been a little while, but the mystery, the man is back with 6 tracks of ambient sound, Nintendo beats, and cryptic samples.

This is a “take a chance and you will love it” kind of thing. We love it, so hopefully that says something!

download (morse)- And The War Came Forth

No Far Away
Chris August
Fervent Records
Pop Rock
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Zombie EP
The Devil Wears Prada
Ferret Records
Metalcore
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Something’s Happening
The Hoppers
Spring Hill Music
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon

We Cry Out-The Worship Project
Jeremy Camp
BEC Recordings
Worship
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Finer Day
Kelly Minter
Kingsway Music
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Kerrie Roberts
Kerrie Roberts
Reunion Records
Pop
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3 [+digital booklet]

Love Revolution
Natalie Grant
Curb Records
Pop
Buy NOW:
Amazon

I’ll Fly Away
Randy Travis
Green Hill Records
Country/Gospel
Buy NOW:
Amazon

Blood In The Gears
The Showdown
Solid State Records
Metal
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3(Deluxe Edition) [+digital booklet]

All Delighted People EP
Sufjan Stevens
Asthmatic Kitty
Indie
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3

Mosaic
Ricky Skaggs
Skaggs Family
Country
Buy Now:
Amazon