And God said, "Let there be uplifted." and behold, it is good.
Since this is a long review... I'll just skip directly into the song-by-song review and comment at the end.
title song-
it is finished/words and actions coalesce so much more than this/ pain overwhelms from inside feelings of unworth/why should I be brought down? I know all that's passed/war is won but still we fight/ continue on
I know in my own life the very shaking reality of this truth. The things we attempt to forget, attempt to move past after forgiveness... after repentance. The things that visit us, our very own... dark secrets if you must. However, we also know that it is foolish to dwell upon those things forgiven of... for what does it bring but stronghold? Yet there is hope, and it is revealed:
why dwell on things long passed decided/no hold, these shackles have been broken reborn, old life has been burned away/ conceal this life I shall no longer burn it all down/it is finished
Amen, let it be.
Musically, this first track is somewhat a mix of the Living Sacrifice metal we all know and either love or hate... and slower, traditional rhythmic thrash. Not a whole lot of hardcore influence in the first song, not like that's a bad or good thing, just making the notice. The vocal delivery on this entire album is more of a thrash scream akin to mindrage or other 'metalcore' groups. Unfortunately, the double vocal times in general go more unnoticed than enhancing. There are exceptions of course... and times that the dual vocals pummel your existence and demand any attention your surroundings may have extracted from such a great album.
The album continues to 'dwell on past securities (or insecurities as it may be)' and moves into "reproach". This song has great lyrics (as does the rest of the album) that give the view of a person being pained by their failure as a 'Son of God' (christian, disciple, believer, or whatever 'stylish' name you wish).
I cry, a love so true/cast down, to dwell among the weeds/ a soul, thought free to roam deceived, bound by what's inside/called a Son of God but I am ashamed to show my face/how much longer will You deem upon me Your saving grace/in my heart I know who You are and what you've done for me/take me and make me Your worthy son
Your love pours over me
Very emotional, very true. Musically, this song continues the onslaught of what seems to be a norm for this album. With what seem like more standard than not riffs for the style of music. Yet it is still VERY solid, and difficult not to just bob the head to and imagine the pits live :). Within this song, however, is the first real glimpse at the intensity level that will be reached later in the album... and the important part the drums play.
From here the album moves to a good view of the intensity rising. This album goes from metal-core to some hardcore type influenced metal-core... to pure intense metal. The 3rd song, "Walk Away" is either a very good song regarding being 'deceived' or a very good metaphoric lyric about walking away from God. The two sides will be shown here.
when I was hungry, thirsty and needing/you walked away and left me there bleeding/when I was naked, alone, and in distress/you walked away in your own selfishness
(deceived) this is the obvious... you were a friend who never helped me, but wanted only to help yourself.
(metaphoric) somewhat difficult to ascertain which reference is here... it is said in the Bible, "for whatever you do to the least of these you do also to me" with that said, neglecting the 'least of these' is neglecting God. so... to approach this as God who is viewing the 'least of these' and saying, "when I was hungry, thirsty and needing/you walked away and left me there bleeding". This could be an easy reference to the 'good samaritan' parable in Luke (10:25 to be exact).
feed me, clothe me, love me, hold me, heal me, save me, help me, forgive me/how many times will you ignore me?/how many times will you walk away?/how many times will you deny me?/how many times will you walk away?
(deceived) "feed me..." part could be nothing short of metaphor in some areas... (save me and forgive me). And this is where I support the metaphoric approach
(metaphoric) "feed me..." part would be the person afflicting, neglecting, crying out for God to forgive.. or the 'least of these' crying for help. "how many times..." part is God asking how many times being ignored/walk away....
The rest should be apparent. Musically, this song excels over the previous two (in my opinion of course) in that it shows that truly, the guitars, drums, and bass all work together to create, well, a freight train of metal! This is the first entire song that makes me say, "This is stinkin heavy." Which it is, while not as adamantly heavy as say, Embodyment's 93-96 album, it is still heavy. The riffs in this song are still somewhat standard metal... but very good and they sound great.
4th song, "the killing approach" is a not-too subtle song painting the picture of one who is going through trials... and realizes they need God, the mighty strength and support.
to You, for You/this soul in shards/broken and destroyed and at Your feet
Jesus I need You
great song. Musically, this song comes on as possibly the heaviest track on the album. The drums play an important part in accenting the riffs with toms and double bass pretty much masterfully inserted to maximize the heaviness of this song in particular. This is definitely a concert-intense song and, if you can't tell, my favorite track off this album. Oh yeah, it also has an exception to the dual vocals thing I said earlier, great example of a great use for it here.
5th song, "opaque" is a somewhat difficult meaning to obtain (if you don't catch the sarcastic tone here, I'll give you the short lyrics to find it for yourself)
broken, you fix it/false tongue, freedom no one
I see your lies, too many lies, I see your lies
your lies burn my mind/can't see through your eyes
deceit, no matter/opaque, your eyes enslaved
With no explanation needed on the lyrics, I'll just move to the music. This song makes an 'emo' cameo for the chorus with somewhat well sung clean vocals (with effects). the overall effect is well-done. Unfortunately, it's not my thing. So personally, I find the chorus worse off for this... but I still really like this song, so that gives a nice example of how good the rest of the song is.
The last song, "death of self reliance" is an all-out metal fest of black metal vocs, metal riffs, regular vocs, hardcore riffs, great drumming, some of the best musical instrumentation, and very ego-destroying lyrics that send a message that should be embraced by the metal citizens of today.
my eyes cannot see what's real/your love for me overwhelming
my mind cannot contain truth/your grace for me overflowing
as I drink from my cup of iniquity/I face facts and I see that I cannot stand in the presence of Your Majesty/my soul cries out, my heart destroyed
I am brought down to my knees/and I'm screaming
my legs tired from this long haul/Your blood has paid the penalty/my flesh fractured from fight/Your scars have proven Your love
I need You
This song definitely finishes off a great album in a great way.
Overview: This album has some of the best Christ-centered lyrics I've ever seen. As well as having by far and away the BEST musical and overall enjoyability of any metal-core album I've heard to date (yes that includes the stale Reborn, the monotonous Raised in Weakness, and the good and decent Hammering Process). One of my only regrets... the cd is too short! I await a more extended album from uplifted in the future with eager hands. This album will stay in my cd rotation with some of the best for a long time. Oh yeah, and the mega-man esque music at the end rules :). Main point? This is a great album with great mixing and there is no reason nor excuse that could allow you to not have this album... in my mind. BUY IT NOW!
9/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #86Reviewed by Doug Van PeltYa gotta love this metalcore band. They're so heavy. Fans of new metal and anything with the suffix "core" will dig this.Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by GrindboyIt's ironic that a band this stinkin' heavy would have the word "lift" in their name. D_Lister tagged this band's last disc as "freight train metal", and I think that's a fitting description. In the vein of Mindrage and Erase, this is well done and hard hitting. Guitars are excellently crunchy, vocals are that of a grizzly bear, and I LOVE the way the drummer lets loose short, thunderous double…
