In early 2021, former The Violent Whispers member N D Martin began releasing a series of singles chronicling his journey into the Christian faith. Nearly two years and ten singles later, Martin has compiled them all into his debut solo album, From Fear To Faith. Martin's musical style is very classic rock in nature, combining acoustic guitar, piano, keys, and electric instruments in various ways that feel inspired by the likes of Elton John, the Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, and The Beach Boys (particularly the vocal harmonies, such as in "A Reason For This Game" and "Grace Unbound"). The beat and guitars of "Rainbow Eyes" also remind me of Roy Orbison's hit "Oh, Pretty Woman." As mentioned already, the album examines Martin's relatively newfound faith in Jesus, but it also isn't afraid to talk about the darker, more difficult aspects of living a Christian life. "Time and Again" touches the seemingly insatiable urge to satisfy our flesh "(Promises exchanged, doesn't mean there'll be a change / the nature of the beast, there's a lust that never leaves / all control has gone, and the night goes on"), while "The Final Darkness" deals with the uncertainty of death and not knowing what lies on the other side. The first half of the album is essentially the life before Christianity, while track 6, "Through the Night," sees the redemption story beginning ("Did Jesus Christ come to save, die on a cross, defeat the grave / so that I, a sinner lost, could find my way to that same cross? / find my way to Him, forgiveness for my sins"). The following songs outline Christ's suffering on the cross and His unmerited grace, concluding with "Flying High," which ends the album focusing on the blood of Jesus and His victory over death (And though the stars may fade to black, the sun betray the sky / I know that His love, His love will never die"). From Fear To Faith is a solid outing with a strong Christian message that I can easily recommend to those who followed The Violent Whispers, or those Christians who also love the sounds of the classic rock icons of yesteryear.

- Review date: 3/25/23, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com