Praise worship with rock

Although there were many who thought otherwise, it was generally believed for a long, long time that rock music and church worship would never mix. Some have even gone to the extent of calling rock the music of the devil. Of course, it is a fact that in some instances, there were indeed and still are people who use rock music for their evil ends. But there are also others who believe in God, who call themselves Christians and who believe they can worship with rock ‘n roll. One fine example is the band Sonicflood who will be at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 15.

Although there have already been many bands in the past who made hits out of modern praise and worship songs, the one credited with bringing this music to the consciousness of today’s kids is Sonicflood. Led by vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Rick Heil, who is at present, the only remaining member of the original band line-up, Sonicflood, is acknowledged as one of the best groups of today in the area of contemporary Christian music. Although, only nine years old, it has already released six well-received albums, including two live recordings Sonicpraise and Glimpse and one hit collection, Gold.

These CDs are the sensational debut Sonicflood, the winner of the Dove Award for Praise and Worship Album of 1999; City on a Hill, Dove Awardee for Special Event Album of 2000; Sonicpraise, Grammy nominee for Best Gospel Rock Album of 2001; Resonate; Cry Holy; and This Generation. Among its biggest hits are Lord Lift Your Name on High, Open the Eyes of My Heart, I Have to Know You (In the Secret), I Will Give, Cry Holy, Your Love Goes on Forever, Lord of the Dance, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, Better is One Day, In Your Hands, The Heart of Worship, You are Worthy of My Praise, Here I am to Worship and Trading My Sorrow.

I do not believe in having religious categories for music. A song and I mean any song can be as spiritual as the listener wishes it to be. But while they all make good songs, there is still some degree of difference between Sonicflood and Simple Plan, Sonicflood and Lifehouse and on and on. Let us call the others, the secular bands we have been getting our fill of lately. There will be more of these before the year is over and even more come 2009. But there is only one Sonicflood. So maybe we can all spare an hour or two to listen to this band with a message. Who knows, such an enriching experience might even help us enjoy the other rockers more.

Sonicflood performs at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 15 and at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Aug. 16. Tickets to the Big Dome show are now available at Ticketnet counters at SM Department Stores and at any Praise Music outlet. Tickets are priced at P2,000; P1,500; P1,000; P500; and P300. Call 911-5555 for inquiries and reservations.

The best of Jars of Clay

For more of the best in pop-rock praise and worship music, you might want to check out Greatest Hits by Jars of Clay. This is music from not only one of the most popular exponents of worship rock but from actually one of the genre’s pioneers. This CD boasts of the Grammy winning band’s biggest selling recordings from the past 13 years starting with its earthshaking debut Flood, that was the one that got everybody thinking, we could rock and worship too! down to others that also made the Contemporary Christian Music hit lists up to the group’s latest single Love Is the Protest.

For the uninitiated the CD makes an excellent introduction to the music of Jars of Clay. Time now to find out for yourselves how this group bridged the divide between rock music and religion and how they put a gospel twist to acoustic, folk R&B and alternative rock tunes. As for those who have long enjoyed these heartfelt expressions of love for God, time now to realize that Christian or not these guys really make good rock ’n roll. Also includes Love Song for a Savior, Like a Child, World’s Apart, Crazy Times, Frail, Unforgetful You, I Need You, Show You Love, Amazing Grace, God Will Lift Up Your Head, Dead Man (Carry Me) and Work.