A few weeks back I got to meet a great up and coming new band called Ashes remain, and ever since I have been waiting in anticipation to get their new album which comes out later this summer. Emerging from Baltimore, MD, the guys were once named “Best Band In Baltimore” by Hard Rock Café, and have shared the stage with the likes of Jeremy Camp, Collective Soul, Family Force 5, Kutless, Red, Disciple, and TobyMac.

In addition to getting a taste of their musically hard driving pop rock sound, it was great to also get to see their incredible heart for the Lord and the ministry they live out through doing what they do. “We were built for this,” says frontman Josh Smith. “This is our place in what God is doing in this world.” There’s a song on the upcoming album that says “I’ll Be Right Here” and that is a commitment that the band strives to mirror with their fans and anyone they cross paths with in day to day life. Band member Ben Kirk explains, “It’s something we take very seriously. We can’t be off our game so to speak just because we are busy or have something else on our mind, we feel called to be available to our fans. Connecting with a kid who was one conversation away from attempting suicide has a way of reminding you that you never know what that person is going through that night.”

The song I get to share with you today though is called “Everything Good,” and it’s the first single off of the record and one of the band’s more uplifting songs. “This song is actually the flipside or brighter side of everything else on the record,” explains Josh. “Its hope & praising God when nothing makes sense. Like Paul singing praise songs while sitting in jail.”

Lead singer, Josh Smith, sat down to talk more about the song. Click below to hear what he had to say about the meaning, and then preview the clip.

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“Everything Good” Lyrics

You are oxygen, on a late night drive
To clear my head when hope has passed me by
You are gravity, when I’m upside down
You help me find my way back to the ground
And this is why

You’re everything good, everything true
When all the world is fading, You’re everything new
You are my eyes, when I can’t see
When all the world is broken, You will always be
Everything good

You are all I have, and all I need
And all I am is what You’ve made of me
And this is why

You’re everything, good to me
You’re everything, that I need, that I need

We’ve got some more exciting sneak peeks for you this week!

(1) FIRST OF ALL- The Afters are previewing the 2nd track from their upcoming album called “You Lift Me Up.”

I can’t even tell you how much I love this song, so please just go experience it for yourself and let me know what you think. Lead singer, Josh Havens, gave a little behind the scenes info on the song:

You Lift Me Up is the first song that Matt and I wrote with our new bandmates, Dan and Jordan. We all experience the ups and downs of life. God is with us when we need Him most. He lifts us up when we fall and carries us when we can’t go on. And above all, He loves us…even when we feel unlovable.– Josh  Click here to go listen to “You Lift Me Up”

(2) SECOND OF ALL- We have more brand new songs for you to listen to here from Disciple’s upcoming  album “Horseshoes And Handgrenades”

We heard the first 3 songs off the record last week, and now we’re moving onto Track 4-”Augustine” and track 5 -”Shot Heard Round The World” today! Take a listen below and- if you like what you hear- go get an INSTANT DOWNLOAD of the full record on the band’s website right now, PLUS 7 unreleased bonus tracks. Go check it out at DiscipleRocks.com

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(3) LASTLY- We have a special Disciple “Horseshoes And Handgrenades” album review feature from one of you guys who got the record and sent your thoughts in.

Thanks to Josh Fisher (this week’s winner) and everyone else who submitted your reviews! We have more to come, so keep sending them in to freeccmcontest@gmail.com. Check out Josh’s review of “Horseshoes And Handgrenades” below, and visit his blog “Christian Rock OBSESSION” for more of the latest Christian rock reviews from him!

Disciple is one of those bands that has been around for so long, it’s common sense to identify them as an “experienced” group.  Over the years, they’ve gained a knack for repeatedly putting out good albums, and this summer are back with yet another.  After a significant lineup change and a transition to a decidedly more “Southern” style with their last album, Disciple returns once again with Horseshoes & Handgrenades.

As the title seems to imply, quite a bit of that Southern vibe has stuck with the band for this time around.  But if you consider the second half, you’ll also notice that it appears to indicate a ferocity found in some of their earlier work.  And indeed, Horseshoes & Handgrenades contains some of the heaviest songs from Disciple to date while still holding onto a lot of the Southern feel, both in the guitars and vocals.  Songs like “Watch It Burn,” “Shot Heard ‘Round The World,” and “The Ballad Of St. Augustine” are a lot like the heavier songs that might have been featured on Scars Remain, the latter with parts sounding similar to a metal song.

On the other hand, we have songs like “Dear X, You Don’t Own Me,” “Invisible,” and “Collision” that are highly melodic and undoubtedly heartfelt, all the while keeping the rock status intact.  ”Invisible” is even reminiscent of Skillet back in their Comatose era.  Both songs may be slightly softer in tone, but they’re still hard rockin’ tracks.

The lyrics remain highly encouraging all through the album.  If you’ve heard all or some of a Disciple album before, you can be sure that their style of songwriting still has not wavered from its uplifting state.

Those who find themselves liking the band’s slower ballads more than anything are out of luck for this round.  The last song on the album is the only one that might be considered a “ballad,” even though its quite a bit heavier than their songs like “After The World.”  It’s a shame, because Disciple had a few good ones on their last album.

Horseshoes… is an album for those fans looking for something heavy this summer.  It’s the band’s heaviest yet, while still containing a few mid-tempo tracks.  It’s still hard to say whether or not they’ve topped any of their previous works, but in terms of heaviness, that’s a definite.  Their amazing live show is sure to be be affected by these new songs, stepping things up to a completely new level.  Disciple is back, and you don’t want to miss out on this album.