Christianity Today

UNTITLED
The Benjamin Gate
Forefront Records

Is there a soundtrack for the spiritual journey of young Christians in the technology-driven 21st century? Maybe. And the intense debut album of The Benjamin Gate could be it.

Incorporating a spacey sound with a heavy core, Untitled seems pulled from the stylish, futuristic worlds of Blade Runner or The Matrix. It's a combination that produces a visceral, on-the-edge sound.

Singer Adruebbe Liesching gives extra sting to the biting guitars and pounding percussion. At the same time, Liesching's lovely and ferocious voice is a strange combination of Bjork's quavering and the power of Shirley Manson (of the band Garbage).

The power of the sound helps make Untitled what the band calls "a battle cry for spiritual warriors." The album excites and inspires: "O Jesus, I feel your fire inside me, / feel it rushing through my blood. / Your life breaking lies that bind me, / A revolution deep in love."

Untitled's tracks have a hard edge but are love songs between God and his children. On the first track, Liesching asks, "How long can we wait, will we wait, for you to come and lay ourselves down before you?"

The Benjamin Gate has provided armor, no matter how long the fight.

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Related Elsewhere:

See the official Benjamin Gate Web site.

The band's site from ForeFront Records provides video and audio selections.

ChristianityToday.com's music section said that "if you prefer your albums driving in intensity (grabbing you by the ears, throwing you around the room, and never letting go), you're going to enjoy Untitled that much more."

Additional reviews of Untitled are at Praisetv.com and About.com.