The style of this album is extreme. This is hardcore all the way. I think their goal was to see how many guitar strings and drum heads they could break while still keeping a beat. This is truly "loud" music right here. The energy on this album is incredible.

Some of you like music like this, and many of you do not, but before you disregard this album, let's look at the lyrical content. "Vow of silence," the album opener for Blindside's A Thought Crushed My Mind, is about hiding from God, and how God's love can set you free. The next two tracks are similar, but come from a little bit different perspective. "My mothers only son" talks about a guy who does not want to admit he has a problem. Then at the end of the song Chris says "so why don't I have the guts to tell You he's me." The next track is "Act," a song about not dwelling in the past. From here, the song meanings shift a little.

"Silver Speak" offers beautiful lyrics about being persecuted for being a Christian. "Where Eye Meets Eye" follows nicely as it is practically a worship song. It is a shame that the vocals are hard to understand by just listening to it. "Nara" is a cool song, but the fact that it is sung entirely in Swedish hinders it. "In the air of truth" is another beautiful worship song about asking God to do something in his life.

"Across Waters" is an interesting song. It is about breaking up with a girl, but it is no way typical. It is bassically a prayer for him and the girl that they would each follow God's plan. "Nothing But Skin" is a very emotional and heartfelt song that Chris wrote about himself. Following the closer, there is a really cool industrial-style hidden track.

The overall theme of A Thought Crushed My Mind is to be real with each other and God. We need to admit that we are not perfect and allow God to work in us. Blindside's lyrics are very poetic -- so much that I think they are too good for this style of music. I love hardcore, but lyrics this good should be heard more clearly.

JFH Reader Review: written by Jaron Weidner, 2/11/04, for Jesusfreakhideout.com