Don't Fear The Eclipse

We here at the Night Beat have some things in common with the Legends of CCM. Like a fine wine, we get better with age. Such is the case with Wolves At The Gate (listed on the new album as simply WATG, which with the middle two initials switched, spells the Call Sign of a local talk radio station).

The new album is eclipse, and my only complaint with it is that it wasn't released in January (That's the month the full moon is called the Wolf Moon). WATG is one of those "perfect" metal bands. They've got enough growls and screams to satisfy the metalcore crowd and awesome clean vocals and group harmonies to satisfy the 80's Melodic Metal crowd of which I am part. So I admit to being slightly biased in their favor.

Eclipse is an evangelistic masterpiece, if you listen close enough. Take the title cut, which is the cry of fallen man that is unsure if he can be redeemed.

If I fall away
Will I ever see Your face?
Is it much too late?
Have I gone too far?
Am I on the narrow road?

The Answer is simple. You are never too far gone or have done anything that the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse forever.

Though I fall away
It is then I find more grace
Though I'm desolate
Though I've gone too far
Far beyond the narrow road

You lead me home

Of course my favorite song on the album is Drifter, with its screaming guitar solo.

When you fall and drift away, Jesus is always there to save. Will You Believe, Will You Receive. That is all you need to do. This is a long overdue review, so I will be brief. This is a 5 Emerald Metal Masterpiece. Headbangers Rejoice. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Stirling Silver Edition

Welcome to an all new edition of Music Video Monday. We hunt out all the best Music Videos and share them with you. This week is no exception. 

We Begin our musical journey with Wolves at The Gate. This is the video for A Voice In The Violence, which is on the recently released album Elcipse.

We Continue our journey with Switchfoot. It seems the Beamers have taken to criticizing the band lately, and they have decided to turn the tables. Good for them. This is Voices, which they did with the extremely beautiful and talented Rock Violinist Lindsey Stirling, who it appears also has to deal with a lot of Beamers.

And we finish our journey with a video by Lindsey Stirling herself. She has recently released an album entitled Artemis, and that brings us full circle this Music Video Monday. How is that. Well, wolves howl at the Full Moon, and Artemis was the Greek Goddess of The Moon among other things. Actually, if Artemis were around today she would be a Conservative Republican. Huntress, Wild Nature (not the Protected fake Environmentalism), Chaste, Guardian of Young Girls and Protectress of Women in Childbirth. The Goddess Liberals would Love To Hate. This is Underground.

That does it for this edition of Music Video Monday. You can check out the Night Beat rewind of Artemis by simply clicking on the highlighted title. Until next time, I am Awaitng Your Reply. 

Hunted by the Huntress

Artemis: Daughter of Zeus and Sister of Apollo. The Greek Goddess of Hunting, Wild Nature, The Moon, and Chastity. Patron of Girls and Young Women and Protector of Women in Childbirth. Sounds like a really cool girl.

What's Greek Mythology got to do with a Christian Music blog? Glad you asked. We here at The Night Beat are always in search of what we call Pure Platinum Perfection. Suffice it to say it is the best music to be found. And while we are primarily are a Christian Music Blog, our search doesn't end there. We pull our nominees from "The Fringe", where Christian Artists go beyond "Jesus Jesus Wo Wo Wo" and produce music that truly takes the Cross Over into the mainstream. The Choir, The 77's, Switchfoot, and others. And then there is the GRAC (Generally Regarded as Christian). Groups. Like Creed, U2, and Evanescence belong here. And then there are bands that I call clean secular. They may not be Christian, but you won't sin by listening to them.

Which brings us back to the Goddess of The Hunt, aka Artemis. Lindsey Stirling is an American Rock Violinist with a bit of EDM flair. She is also a dancer. Combining the two has created a bit of a kerfuffle in the stodgy Classical Circles that Violinists usually are in. I first heard about Miss Sterling as she Toured with Evanescence in the Synthesis Tour. Needless to say I was quite impressed. More on Evanescence later.

Artemis is a mostly instrumental work. Of the 12 songs on the album, only 3 have any vocals, unless you count sampled vocals such as "take my breath away" (from Artemis). Let's start with the vocal songs. The weakest is number 3, the Upside with Ellie King. It's a pretty good EDM number, but nothing special. Tied for Favorite is Foreverglow by Lindsey, and Love Goes On And On (ft Vocals by Amy Lee). Foreverglow is ostensibly about a Star, but listening to it got me thinking "Would You Know You're Made of Light If You Were Not Born Into The Dark". We are Born Again into a Dark World from Above and are exhorted to "Shine Among Them Like Stars In The Sky" (Philippians 2:15 NIV). 

Immediately following Lindsey's Heavenly vocals on this song we move straight to a duel. What more can be said about Amy Lee of Evanescence. Her vocals can melt your heart and send chills up your spine and all she is singing is "Oh". The duel is really can Lindsey hit a note high enough on her violin that Amy Can't reach on her voice. The answer is simple: NO.

It doesn't matter that the subject is Love after Death, the result is stunning: "There is darkness ever waiting, I can feel it in the air. So I call upon my angels, are you still there".

On to the instrumentals. I think I shall highlight the bookends. The Album opens with Underground, which begins very melancholy and then kicks it up into high gear. You really can't stop dancing to it until the other end 



It ends with Aurora again, the Northern Lights. Light in the Darkness is a theme. It is well received by this Christian. It is full of hope, and closes a Perfect album quite perfecly.

Atemis is a godsend (sorry, couldn't resist) to the EDM/Instrumental/Rock world. I have been listening on repeat to this since I discovered it. I really do have to get to other music. It is addictive though. Needless to say she helps close out #PVX with a 5 Emerald Rating. On to other music. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: October 2019 - Album Edition

October Marks a Month of Firsts. Our First Singles Scene Only Rewind, which makes a First Album Only Rewind. This will probably be a permanent fixture unless we get to a really lean month. Right now I do not anticipate that happening. Let's get right to it.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Jonathan Butler - Christmas Together 5 Emeralds
• Riley Clemmons - The First Christmas EP 5 Emeralds
• The Collingsworth Family - A True Family Christmas 4.75 Emeralds
• The Erwins - What Christmas Really Means 4.75 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Sing: An Irish Christmas - Live at the Grand Ole Opry House 5 Emeralds
• Danny Gokey - The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Collection 4.75 Emeralds
• Sara Groves - Joy Of Every Longing Heart 4.75 Emeralds
• Ernie Haase and Signature Sound - A Jazzy Little Christmas 5 Emeralds
• Marc Martel - The Christmas Collection 4.75 Emeralds
• Andrew Peterson - Behold The Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of The Coming of Christ 4.75 Emeralds
• The Singing Contractors - Building A Christmas Together 4.25 Emeralds
• Phil Wickham - Christmas 4.75 Emeralds

These are always the most "honest" of my ratings. Since there is no Christmas Music category, I try to capture how I feel about the quality of each album and try not to fudge to make it squeeze into a nomination. On to the non-holiday judged albums. We begin with the albums which will not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• The Blamed - The Church is Hurting People 4.25 Emeralds
• Mike REAL - Moonwalk EP 3.75 Emeralds

Only two on this list. That will grow, hopefully, as the year goes on. You have to distinguish between what is truly excellent and what is only pretty good. In olden times of yore it was called being "Discriminating". It was a mark of excellent character until it became associated with the Democrat Party (you know, the party of Slavery, Jim Crow,and the KKK). When you have "Discriminating Taste" you will know that the next grouping is beyond excellent.

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Color Theory - Lucky Ago 5 Emeralds
• Dear Gravity - Sleep Scenes 5 Emeralds
• Every Nation Music - Seven Verse Nine 5 Emeralds
• For All Seasons - Side A EP 5 Emeralds
• Kirk Franklin - Past and Present, Volume 1 EP 5 Emeralds
• Hollyn - Bye, Sad Girl EP 5 Emeralds
• Lifepoint Worship - Heart of Heaven 5 Emeralds
• The Maker and The Instrument - Instrumental Songs of Worship 5 Emeralds
• Norma Jean - All Hail 5 Emeralds
• Chuckie Perez - Faith Hope and Love 5 Emeralds
• Michael Sweet - Ten 5 Emeralds
• Thi'sl - STTAG 5 Emeralds
• White Collar Sideshow - I Didn't Come Here To Die 5 Emeralds
• Whosoever South - Backwoods and Small Towns 5 Emeralds
• Zach Williams - Rescue Story 5 Emeralds

15 Albums blew me away this month. We are kicking of our eleventh year of eligibility with a bang. Each year keeps getting better. Now to the grouping in the middle, or as we call it.

Semi-Precious Metal

• Jared Anderson - The Whole Landscape EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Beacon Light - Influential EP 4.50 Emeralds
• Jeremy Benjamin - Wonderlove 4.75 Emeralds
• Anthony Brown and Group Therapy - 2nd Wind: Ready 4.75 Emeralds
• Citizen Way - Love Is A Lion 4.75 Emeralds
• Clay Crosse - Freewill Offerings EP 4.75 Emeralds
• The Devil Wears Prada - The Act 4.75 Emeralds
• Elim Sound - Send Revival 4.50 Emeralds
• London Gatch - Home EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Coby James - No Trouble EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Kalley - Faultlines, Volume 1 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Kalley - Faultlines, Volume 2 Ep 4.75 Emeralds
• Matt Maher - Alive and Breathing, Volume II 4.75 Emeralds
• Northland Worship - Who You Are 4.75 Emeralds
• One Hope Project - You 4.75 Emeralds
• Paradise Now - Supernatural EP 4.75 Emeralds
• The Porters Gate - Neighbor Songs 4.50 Emeralds
• Noel Robinson - I Surrender 4.75 Emeralds
• Stillman - Let Go EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Laura Story - I Give Up 4.75 Emeralds
• Bryan and Katie Torwalt - Anticipation EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Upperroom - Moments: Design 004 EP 4.75 Emeralds
• Various Artists - Simple Hymns: Songs of Worship 4.75 Emeralds
• Vive Worship - Resonance (Live) 4.50 Emeralds
• Kelly Wright - The Love Train 4.75 Emeralds
• Y+YA - Beyond EP 4.75 Emeralds

That does it for October. Platinum Vinyl 11 is underway. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Night Beat Rewind: The Singles Scene - October 2019

Now that #PVX is over and ten years are in the books here at Night Beat HQ, it is time to shake things up once again. The explosion of Singles released in a typical month has necessitated that we split off the Singles Scene into its own rewind, with its own Christmas (Seasonal), Missing The Mark, Pure Platinum and Semi Precious Metal categories. It's the only way to bring it under control.

Christmas Music (Non-Eligible)

• Conrad - Holy (Christmas Version) 4.75 Emeralds
• Keith and Kristyn Getty - Eleizabeth (ft Ellie Holcolmb) 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Cobbs Leonard - O Holy Night 4.75 Emeralds
• Natasha Owens - A Christmas Twist 4.75 Emeralds
• Salt of The Sound - O Holy Night 5 Emeralds

Not much on the Christmas Song front for Singles Yet. That should pick up in November and December. On to the Regular Songs. We begin, like the albums, to the songs that do not make the cut.

Missing The Mark

• David Dunn - Yes and No 3.50 Emeralds
• Prafit Josiah - If You Want It 4.25 Emeralds
• 1k Phew - Kung Fu (ft Whatuprg and Ty Brasel) 4.25 Emeralds
• Chris Renzema - Jacob 4.25 Emeralds
• West of Here - Robot 4.25 Emeralds

Again, I expect the numbers to go up on this as well once we get this sorted out

Pure Platinum Perfection

• Brad and Rebekah - Rejoice 5 Emeralds
• Cape Lions - 2 much 5 Emeralds
• Casting Crowns - Broken Together (New York Sessions) 5 Emeralds
• The Choir - In The Air Tonight (New Version)  5 Emeralds
• The Choir - Kathie's Garden 5 Emeralds
• Color Theory - Shatterproof 5 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - Thank You 5 Emeralds
• Covenant Worship - With Every Step 5 Emeralds
• Elevation Rhythm - Reality 5 Emeralds
• Jason Fowler - Healer 5 Emeralds
• Goshen Sai - Signs and Wonders 5 Emeralds
• Elizabeth Grace - Like Myself 5 Emeralds
• FreeG and Simon Miles - Keep Moving (ft Jack Dylan) 5 Emeralds
• The Gray Havens - Diamonds and Gold (Laudr8 Remix) 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - Afraid To Forget 5 Emeralds
• Hammock - In the Shattering of Things 5 Emeralds
• JJ Heller - Even Here 5 Emeralds
• Icon For Hire - Hollow 5 Emeralds
• Kalley - Alabaster Heart (ft Bethel Music) (Live) 5 Emeralds
• Spencer Kane - Closer 5 Emeralds
• Tasha Layton - Safe Here 5 Emeralds
• Brooke Nicholls - The Darkness Doesn't Scare Me 5 Emeralds
• MDSN - Who We Are 5 Emeralds
• Man of Faith - Blood In The Air 5 Emeralds
• Stephen McWhirter - Grave Clothes 5 Emeralds
• Mercy Me - Almost Home 5 Emeralds
• Mission House - I don't have much 5 Emeralds
• Leigh Nash - Don't Let Me Die In Dallas 5 Emeralds
• Nashville Life Music - Sing a Song Part 2 (ft Arron Cole) 5 Emeralds
• Ginny Owens - Magnified (Acoustic) 5 Emeralds
• Seth and Nirva Ready - Light Up The Sky 5 Emeralds
• RED - Hemorrhage (Fuel Cover) 5 Emeralds
• Jon Reddick - God, Turn it around 5 Emeralds
• Matt Redman - The Same Jesus 5 Emeralds
• Sara Reeves - Anxious 5 Emeralds
• Rend Collective - Revival Anthem 5 Emeralds
• Royal Company - Jesus It's You 5 Emeralds
• Scandroid - the Writing's On The Wall 5 Emeralds
• Skillet - Anchor (Re-Imagined) 5 Emeralds
• Ryan Stevenson - When We Fall Apart 5 Emeralds
• Thi'sl - This is Not The End (ft V.Rose) 5 Emeralds
• Micah Tyler - Amen 5 Emeralds
• Vineyard Worship - All The Ways 5 Emeralds
• Tauren Wells - Close 5 Emeralds

Semi-Precious Metal

• All Things New - Goodness of God 4.75 Emeralds
• Jonathan Cain - Wonder of Wonders ft Michael Tait 4.75 Emeralds
• Casting Crowns - Loving My Jesus (New York Sessions) 4.75 Emeralds
• Lauren Daigle - Rescue (Chill Mix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Dee-1 - People Don't Want That Real ft Starlito (Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Equippers Revolution - Future 4.75 Emeralds
• For King and Country - Burn The Ships (R3HAB Remix) 4.75 Emeralds
• Gui and Elaine - Hallelujah (Hail The King) 4.75 Emeralds
• Tori Harper - Enough 4.75 Emeralds
• Jesus Loves Electro - Come Alive ft LinD 4.75 Emeralds
• Kalley - Oasis 4.75 Emeralds
• Spencer Kane - Senorita ft Brooke De Leary (Shawn Mendes Cover) 4.75 Emeralds
• Legin - Problematic 4.75 Emeralds
• Derek Minor - Dope (ft Propaganda and John Givez) 4.75 Emeralds
• Rachael Nemiroff - Steady 4.75 Emeralds
• Chris Renzema - HTBY (How To Be Yours) 4.50 Emeralds
• Slick Shoes - Feeble 4.75 Emeralds
• Social Beingz - Good Music (ft Ruslan) 4.75 Emeralds
• JSteph - Direction (ft Moflo Music) 4.75 Emeralds
• Mark Tedder - Like Mercy 4.75 Emeralds
• John Tibbs - Details 4.75 Emeralds
• Chase Tremaine - Matter 4.75 Emeralds
• We Are Leo - Eyes On U (ft Ryan Ellis) 4.75 Emeralds
• Matthew West - Truth Be Told 4.50 Emeralds
• The Young Escape - So Alive 4.75 Emeralds

That does it for the first Singles Scene Only Edition of Rewind. The Album List will be forthcoming. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Wolves Unleashed: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Modern Worship

We are done with the final quarter wrap of #PVX. Once again the winner is Modern Worship. I don't know the last time they didn't win the quarter. Let's finish it off.

Modern Worship

• Pat Barrett - Canvas and Clay (Live)
• Catch The Fire Music - Revival 25
• Sean Curran - All of Us (All Praise)
• David's Tent - Raise Every Voice; David's Tent
• Elevation Worship - At Midnight EP
• Here Be Lions - I Speak Jesus
• Housefires - Housefires V
• Influencers Music - Rebels
• Leeland - Better Word (Live)
• David Leonard - The Wait: Silence The Noise (Live)
• Life Center Worship - Acoustic Sessions EP
• Life Church Worship - God So Good (Live)
• Matt Maher - Alive and Breathing, Volume 1
• Maranatha Music - Heart of Worship: Tremble
• Catherine Mullins - Sing Like The Battle Is Over
• New Wine Worship - This Is Love
• Northpoint Inside Out - Abundantly More EP
• Northpoint Inside Out - Wide Open
• Planetshakers - Rain Part 3 EP (Live)
• Planetshakers - Rain (Live)
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark 
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark (Be Still) EP
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark (You Will Be My Song) EP
• RNW Music - When It Comes To You

That does it for the fourth quarter of #PVX. The Year is in the Bag. Year 11 Begins Officially Now. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Wolves Unleashed: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Live Album

Live Recorded Album had a very good showing this time with 18 entries, but it was still only good for second place. I think things were up because we managed to track down all the live Modern Worship Albums (not all of them are) (Oops, there goes the reveal of the winner).

Live Recorded Album

• Pat Barrett - Canvas and Clay (Live)
• Catch The Fire Music - Revival 25 EP (Live)
• David's Tent - Raise Every Voice: David's Tent Live
• E58 Worship - Make Way
• Travis Greene - Setlist, Volume 1
• JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise - Miracle Worker
• Housefires - Housefires V
• Leeland - Better Word (Live) 
• David Leonard - The Wait: Silence The Noise
• Life Church Worship - God So Good
• Matt Maher - Alive and Breathing, Volume 1
• William McDowell - The Cry: A Live Worship Experience from Chattanooga
• New Wine Worship - This Is Love
• Planetshakers - Rain, Part 3 EP
• Planetshakers - Rain
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark (Live)
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark (Be Still) EP
• Red Rocks Worship - Spark (You Will Be My Song) EP

That's quite a list. It was made as things were released and some of the Modern Worship EP's get discontinued by Amazon once the "Full Album" gets released. That's a shame as they can stand on their own. Modern Worship (Live and Studio) is the final winner of the year and they are next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Wolves Unleashed: The 2019 Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Qtr - Gospel

The True Gospel is here. Urban Gospel, not that Southern Stick In The Mud Stuff. Jesus had fun, y'all. Let's get to it.

Gospel/R&B

• Kurt Carr - Bless Somebody Else
• James Fortune - Dream Again
• Travis Green - Setlist, Volume 1
• John P. Kee - I Made It Out
• JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise - Miracle Worker
• Keyondra Lockett - The Heal Reloaded: The Journey Continues
• William McDowell - The Cry: A Live Worship Experience From Chattanooga
• VaShawn Mitchell - Elements
• Gene Moore - Tunnel Vision
• V. Rose - Forth
• Various - Hitsville: A Motown Gospel Celebration
• BeBe Winans - Need You

Live Recorded Album is next. 18 Entries for that one. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.