Sonicflood

Description

The self-titled debut album by the American contemporary worship band Sonicflood was released on Gotee Records in 1999. (They actually released an album entitled Platinum in 1997, under the band name Zilch. Later, the band took the name “Sonicflood”, a reference to a line in the Book of Revelation, chapter 19, verse 6.)

I listen to so much music these days that it really takes something special to knock me off my feet but here it is! Sonic Flood’s debut is something unique in American music. Imagine if Delirious? had decided to continue to be solely devoted to worship music then these days, it might sound something like this. But you’d have to add in a smattering of other influences! Sonic Flood comprise of former members of Zilch, Seven Day Jesus and dcTalk’s band who have been called to create music that will inspire this generation to worship. And boy do they deliver! Taking a mixture of their own material and their favourite worship songs, they have created a fresh sound full of pop’n’rock power without losing its worshipful feel. The men of Sonic Flood have had their lives arrested by God and have been thrust in this worshipful direction and consequently passion, energy, commitment, creativity and a Christ-centred focus is what you’ll find here. «I Want To Know» becomes a funky pledge to pursue intimacy with God; «Holiness» is a seven minute string-filled atmospheric yearning epic and «Something About That Name» takes a very old song and spins it around with a Kevin Max guest vocal. The Brits get a look in with new versions of «When The Music Fades» and «I Could Sing» both of which are neatly executed. I first heard my favourite song «My Refuge» in a graveyard at midnight (don’t ask!). Here it manages to mix an intimate desire to know more of God with some thunderous pieces of chunky guitar. Overall Sonic Flood’s debut is the perfect combination of rock and worship and contains more than a hint of the significant calling that this band is pursuing to see God move. Absolutely essential and if I could, I’d give it 11! [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, February 1999]

Mixing rock, Brit pop and dance rhythms with worshipful lyrics, this Nashville quartet has created a distinctive, fresh debut that’s a fiery, hook-laden and absolutely infectious experience.

The guys in Sonicflood have been playing music for a long time (among their influences are Radiohead, Third Eye Blind, The Verve and, ironically, their British predecessors, Delirious), but the genesis of this album grew out of their collective desire to keep their musical edge while singing nothing but pure worship songs. The results are stunning.

That’s mostly because listening to this record is much like witnessing the music of a high-octane church service. Songs flow naturally into each other, along with the occasional spoken-word snippet and rough recording of small-group singing.

The hands-down, standout track is «My Refuge», which quickly builds in intensity toward a superbly rocking, catchy chorus that will leave listeners singing, smiling or crying tears of joy (or all three). It’s that powerful. And while the band’s backbone sound is basically rock with dance rhythms, Sonicflood can slow it down, too. Songs such as «Holiness» and «Carried Away» are more mid-tempo contemplations, both employing smartly-placed strings and the odd sound effect.

The band’s version of Delirious’ «I Could Sing of Your Love Forever» is charming enough – although Sonicflood should take care not to imitate too much. The melody line to the Bill Gaither song, «Something About That Name», while beautifully haunting in its Eastern tones and Jeff Buckley-esque falsettos, is way too similar to Radiohead’s «Subterranean Homesick Alien» (from OK Computer) to pass as original.

While those of the mainline church persuasion may not recognize many of these songs, folks of all backgrounds will be happy to see an American worship band reach the musical and lyrical standards of our brethren across the Atlantic. [Dave Urbanski, CCM, April 1999]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/sonicflood/1533119012)

CD tracklist:

01. Innocation – 0:19
02. I Have Come To Worship – 3:16
03. Holy One – 4:32
04. I Want To Know You – 4:33
05. My Refuge – 4:29
06. I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever (feat. Lisa Kimmey-Bragg of Out of Eden) – 4:25
07. Holiness (feat. Wilshire) – 7:12
08. Carried Away – 4:15
09. Something About That Name (feat. Kevin Max) – 4:01
10. I Need You – 5:24
11. Open The Eyes Of My Heart – 5:22
12. The Heart Of Worship – 7:22

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Gotee Records.

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