If Unashamed gives off anything with this album, it sure ain't silence! With a military-like cadence, Unashamed comes across as bold as a lion. I was expecting thin and tin-like guitar tones with machine-gun snare accompinament. What we get instead is intense hardcore with the power of classic metal. No, it ain't Judas Priest with tatoos, but the wall of distortion and rumbling low end conjures up an awesome sonice assault that is totally heavy. "Stand" is a good example of a crunchy metal riff used to good effect. "Renewal" brings up images of The Crucified at their best.
Jeff the vocalist unleashes probably a gallon's worth of spit in these 10 tunes, but each drop of saliva is delivered with such power and conviction that you have to believe that he believes every word he's saying. Don't stand too close to the speakers during "Break The Chain" -- the spit might be too real!
Lyrically, they're totally unashamed to worship, exalt, and hype God. "Blessed Redeemer" is probably the growliest worship tune ever recorded. It's hard to imagine this one in a hymnal someday! When God inspired David to write the 23rd Psalm 4,000 years ago, He knew that Unashamed would use it powerfully in a slow breakdown section in the song "Sustained." The promise that He's with us in the valley of the shadow of death is communicated here in as an effective way as I've heard.
After hearing this album, I truly regret missing Unashamed's impromptu set at Cornerstone. Next chance I get, though, Lord willing, I won't miss these guys.