"War With The World" is the second single from Ascension, the soon-forthcoming fifth full-length album from Relentless Pursuit. The song showcases the continual growth of Matthew Konradt's artistry, and it also marks the first time that he's utilized a guest vocalist. Studio vocalist Eric Castiglia joins the track and provides some of the clean vocals in the chorus and bridge, blending his voice together with Konradt's and giving the song some harmonies, which is something that has been absent from Relentless Pursuit's music thus far. While I applaud the branching out, the end result isn't as strong as one would hope, as neither Konradt nor Castiglia have particularly strong singing voices. The song does shine in the heaviness, though, with guitar riffs that bring to mind metalcore giants like For Today, and screams that lean into deathcore territory. Lyrically, "War With The World" is simple, but it's humble and worshipful, calling on the Lord to rescue us from a war in which we continually sabotage ourselves ("I never knew my way out of this war / but by Your grace, I will atone / please won't You save me from myself / I am my own worst enemy"). All in all, both singles from Ascension so far have been solid. Relentless Pursuit keeps getting better, and I'm looking forward to what the full album will bring with it.

- Review date: 10/22/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com