Attention all punk fans: it's time to throw up your fists, warm up your voices, and get ready for an audio onslaught unheard in Christian music for some time. Your hosts at today's show are brand new California act The Rekoning.

The Rekoning are among the new acts on the recently revived Strike First label. Unlike their metal and hardcore label mates, the three Riverside, California friends in The Rekoning bring nothing more or less than bold, in-your-face punk music on their debut effort entitled The Road Less Traveled.

If you've ever found yourself disappointed in the lack of quality punk acts in the Christian market, The Rekoning will be just what the doctor ordered. Their musical style could not be more straightforward. With the exception of the Intro, all of the fourteen tracks on The Road Less Traveled are fast-paced, energy-packed examples of everything four-chord punk music should be. The guitars grind away, occasionally transitioning into speedy solos. The vocals are sung and shouted, all the while generously mixed with gang vocals whenever appropriate.

Every track is enjoyable, although rarely distinct from the preceding track. These guys have clearly found a sound they want to stick with, which is also the album's most notable weakness. With fourteen songs, The Road Less Traveled is by no means short, and it begins to drag near the end. That said, this is a very fun sound, and there are several standout tracks. These include the title track, which differentiates itself from the rest by feeling slightly more pop punk and even featuring some opening mandolin. Also, don't be surprised if you hear a sudden old-fashioned hymn at the end of the final song!

Lyrically, the guys in The Rekoning deal with several fairly obvious issues, such as salvation in "Home Again," following Christ instead of the world in "Road Less Traveled," and the required track about how hardcore they are in the closer, "Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." Don't expect a great deal of lyrical depth, just simple expressions of faith and fun put to high-adrenaline music.

In these days of predominantly hardcore, screamo, and metal bands, it's nice to have a new punk band to enjoy. While somewhat simplistic and uncreative, The Road Less Traveled is nonetheless a solid, enjoyable release that will leave any Christian punk fan with a fist in the air and a smile on his face.

- Review date: 1/13/09, written by Timothy Estabrooks of Jesusfreakhideout.com