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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

TAKE / The Forerunner

TAKE / The Forerunner
The Beginning of Sorrows (Split LP)

Street Date: March 15, 2024
Style: Hardcore



If you're not familiar with the concept of a split EP/LP, it was often a really practical way to promote two bands who each only had a few songs, but without needing to spend the money on a separate disc for each artist. It's not a common practice now, as digital EPs and singles are the kings these days, but that isn't stopping Resuscitation Records, as their dedication to physical media has led to their first split release, The Beginning of Sorrows.

Side A features five songs from Las Vegas act TAKE. The songs are mostly singles they've released over the last few years, plus a song called "Golden Calf," which comes from their 2021 album, Power Trip. The band is intense, with ferocious vocals and a fantastic blend of melodic metalcore and traditional hardcore. The intensity of the music is matched by the lyrics, which are bold, reverent, and even confrontational. "Leech" goes after prosperity gospel preachers and takes no prisoners ("Happy life, happy tithe / funding your way into the Kingdom / one lie will do, two more for good measure / lining your pockets with the blood of Christ / those were your nails driven in"). "Golden Calf" is similar in tone, but switches its focus to nationalism and idolatry, while "Void" points to Christ as our only hope for salvation ("No hope, all is lost / broken by our greed / ripped apart by lust / no hope, all is lost … every broken home, every shake of the earth / every rumor of war points to the end … I wait for Your return"). TAKE proves themselves in just five short songs to be a band I need to keep on my radar. This is a great way to get to know them if you haven't yet.

Flipping to side B takes us to The Forerunner (also Las Vegas natives). From the opening moments of "Crowns," it's easy to get some major Sleeping Giant and HolyName vibes. While TAKE focuses on combating falsehoods from a Biblical perspective, The Forerunner is more of a worship band with a loud and dynamic sound that mixes screaming and screeching with melodic clean vocals (again, similar to HolyName in their almost drone-like feel, minus HN's tendency to overdo it). "Holy" is a prime example of the band's sound and mission, as you get a taste of their ferocity, their calmer singable parts, and their uncompromising devotion to the Lord Jesus. "Lion" is another standout track, which ends in the vocalists singing together in a soulful, Gospel-style chorus, complete with soaring vocals and hand claps. On paper, it sounds out of place, but it actually feels totally natural in context. "O My Soul" and "Empty Grave" close The Forerunner's half of the record with explosive Spirit-filled hardcore that honestly makes me want to move the needle right back to the start, especially after the closing lyrics, "And then one day, I'll cross the river / and fight life's final war with pain / and then as death gives way to victory / I'll see the light of glory and know / He reigns / hallelujah, You are King / hallelujah, Jesus reigns."

In addition to the great music, I wanted to mention the physical product as well. Resuscitation's vinyl packaging has been excellent thus far, and The Beginning of Sorrows is no exception. The record is flawless, and it comes with a full-size, colored booklet with lyrics, credits, a bio for each band, and a number of photos from the bands' live shows. On top of that, it's reasonably priced, which is getting harder to find. The whole experience with this release is top notch, and I can't recommend it enough if you love vinyl and high quality hardcore music.

- Review date: 1/19/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Resuscitation Records
. Album length: 10 tracks
. Street Date: March 15, 2024
. Buy It: Resuscitation.store (Vinyl)

    Side A (TAKE):
  1. Everything I Once Was
  2. Leech
  3. Golden Calf
  4. Void
  5. Tin Soldiers
    Side B (The Forerunner):
  1. Crowns
  2. Holy
  3. Lion
  4. O My Soul
  5. Empty Grave

 

 

 

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This Friday, March 28, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor Hymns The Garden (Live) [Integrity]
Anike The Rap Pack - EP [Reach]
Mack Brock Beloved - EP [Centricity]
Eben Brusco Offering House - EP (independent)
Steve Camp Fire and Ice (Remastered Collector's Edition) [Girder]
CXMMXNS Chapter 2 - EP [Provident]
Lawrence Hancock Undefeated [LVP]
The Heritage HOME [Bowyer & Bow]
Memphis May Fire Shapeshifter [Rise]
Red Rocks Worship The King Is Coming [Provident]
Edwrin Sutton The Savior 1.0 (Volume 1) [Blacksmoke]

SINGLES
Big Daddy Weave I've Just Seen Too Much - Single [Curb]
Bongo Chico 1995 - Single (independent)
Kristin Chenoweth Live Like That (from "The King of Kings" Soundtrack) - Single [Angel Studios/Sony]
Disciple Resurrecting Reasons (feat. Decyfer Down) - Single [Tooth & Nail]
ELEVATION RHYTHM Sing Of Your Love (feat. Joe L Barnes) - Single [Elevation]
Good Weather Forecast Now I See It - Single [DREAM]
Lucy Grimble First Love - Single [Integrity]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise Lifted Up (ft. Tamela Hairston) - Single [Motown Gospel]
Jericko MANNA - Single [Syntax]
Kashh Kade RUNNING MAN - Single [Syntax]
Knaladeus Treasure (ft. C4 Crotona & Aciya Iona) - Single [Syntax]
Ronnie Martin Ever Sing For Joy - Single [Velvet Blue]
Miel San Marcos Digno De Adorar (Worthy Of It All) [feat. Waleska Morales] - Single [Integrity]
New Day Rhymes In Harmony - Single (independent)
Sam Purpose Turnaround - Single (independent)
Q-Flo & C4 Crotona The Plug Gotta Know God - Single [Syntax]
Smokey Robinson Three Little Birds / What A Wonderful World - Single [Gaither]
Sixpence None the Richer Julia (Live at Gruene Hall) - Single [Flatiron]
Sound Chapel Forever Amen - Single [Provident]
Sound Street I'm So Blessed - Single [Sonlite]
Switch Love Like This - Single (independent)
TKE3 LAHO 3MIX - Single (independent)
Madison Watkins You Won't - Single [Provident]
Wolves at the Gate Synthetic Sun - Single [Solid State]
The Young Escape Every Little Thing - Single [BEC]

Next Tuesday, April 1, 2025
SINGLES
Sleeping At Last Build - Single (independent)

Next Friday, April 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Faith Worship Arts Fill This House [DREAM Worship]
Silent Music Owl (independent)
TAYA The Reminder [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Free Worship Haz Tu Voluntad - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake & River Valley AGES Presence is Peace - Single [BEC]
River Valley Worship Great and Lowly King - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr My Foundation (Acoustic) - Single [BEC]



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