Genre: Pop/Rock
Members: Mark Hall (vocals), Juan Devevo (guitar, vocals), Melodee Devevo (violin, vocals), Hector Cervantes (guitar, vocals), Andy Williams (drums), Chris Huffman (bass), Megan Garrett (keyboards, accordion, vocals).
For fans of: Steven Curtis Chapman, MercyMe, FFH, Sawyer Brown
Label: Beach Street Records

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What is the distance between Sunday and Monday mornings?

The answer, for Casting Crowns' Mark Hall, became painfully clear during an afternoon of reading through the MySpace pages of the kids in his youth group. Prompted to go there by a student, Mark's heart sank as he read their messages to the world, truths about themselves that didn't gel with the truth they embraced at church.

It was in that place of disheartened discovery where The Altar and The Door—the third studio project from Grammy-winning band Casting Crowns—began to unfold.

"When we're at the altar, everything makes sense," Hall says. "We know what we're supposed to do. We know how we're supposed to live. Everything's black and white. But somewhere between the altar and the door, when we leave and go out into our lives, it all leaks out, and everything gets gray again. The Christian life is the journey between the altar and door, trying to get the things you've got in your head, into your hands, feet, into your life. The Altar and The Door is all about the journey. The realization on the journey, the struggles and the victory of seeing it as possible."

Co-produced once again by Mark Miller (Sawyer Brown), The Altar and The Door taps into the same 'real life, real faith' vein as the Casting Crowns' 2004 debut and 2006's Lifesong. The same 'all out on the table' honesty, achingly real lyrical depth and unforgettable melodies that have captivated audiences around the world. Only this time, Casting Crowns— the fastest selling, platinum-reaching Christian artist in history—has never been more progressive musically. And lyrically, Mark Hall has never been more intentional.

"Once we got into the recording," Hall says, "I knew we were in for something different, a more progressive approach to the music. These songs sounded different in my head; they've been a big challenge for us as a band. And the music definitely sets the tone for the whole project, but for me, it always comes back to the message. I always think lyrics first."

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