Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


In the Midst of Lions, Out of Darkness
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

In the Midst of Lions
Out of Darkness



Album length: 10 tracks: 24 minutes, 13 seconds
Street Date: May 26, 2009


At the beginning of 2010, death metal group In the Midst of Lions became the next band to graduate from the training grounds called Strike First Records and officially sign to Facedown Records. It was in 2009, while still on Strike First's roster, that they released their debut album for the world to hear. Ten tracks of heavy and raw, yet worshipful, death metal collectively called Out of Darkness.

When you see that Out of Darkness is only twenty-four minutes and some change in length, and that three of the tracks are either under or approximately one minute long, you may think that it's not a good introduction to the band. But despite the album's brevity, the seven full songs definitely give the listener a good look into who they are, musically and lyrically. Between the music and the lyrics, the lyrics are the highlight. When they aren't quoting directly from Scripture, they're reciting their own lyrics based on Scripture. "Out of Darkness" recalls the search for purpose ("Where is my meaning? A voice calls out bringing sight to my eyes. 'Follow Me and I will show you the light'"). "The Field of Blood" brings to mind what might have possibly been Judas' last thoughts before he hung himself (and Matt Janssen turns it around and puts himself into the place of Judas, recognizing his own betrayal of Jesus, yet he's asked for His forgiveness). If you're looking for poetry, you won't be satisfied here, but Out of Darkness keeps God at the forefront at all times, with a lyrical style that fits well within their genre. With that genre being death metal, you'll get a lot of barked out lyrics with very guttural growls and some shrill shrieks. It's all layered atop some gritty, dirty-sounding guitars and pounding drums. Sometimes it doesn't work very well, like the almost hesitant vocals in "The Field of Blood," but otherwise they seem to have a good grasp of their sound. The musicians are well-accomplished though, with times of blistering guitar work and the quick drums to match. A little better production could've helped the album quite a bit, but the sound is still fairly well done.

Though death metal is some of the least accessible music in existence, there are still those that can pull it off. In the Midst of Lions have only produced one album in their time with the Facedown Records family of labels, but it's not bad, and I think their move from Strike First to Facedown will be good for them, and I anticipate their next album, due out late Summer this year, to be even better.

- Review date: 4/27/10, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Strike First Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 24 minutes, 13 seconds
. Street Date: May 26, 2009
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Awaken The Dawn (0:40)
  2. Tongues Of Fire (3:01)
  3. Out Of Darkness (2:23)
  4. Field Of Blood (3:05)
  5. Paid In Full (3:11)
  6. Manifesto (2:22)
  7. Crucifixion And Burial (0:58)
  8. He Is Risen (3:13)
  9. Herod's Demise (4:23)
  10. Into The Light (0:57)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images