At the beginning of July, I had received an email from Gotee Records, informing me about an upcoming release from one of their newly signed bands, I AM TERRIFIED (IAT). There’s something strange about these emails — sometimes I really don’t care to listen to the promoted band/music, mainly because I am not interested. However, this time around I had decided to take a chance with IAT and went to their MySpace page. After that, I had decided I would patiently wait for the 29th, when their CD would finally be released.
IAT is a self-proclaimed hardcore/rock Christian band, and the first thing that caught me from the brief songs I heard were the lyrics — they really demonstrate their faith. These guys are not afraid terrified of proclaiming the Lord through their music! Formerly known as Fixed ‘Til Tuesday, IAT’s name comes from Job 23:14-15, which says
He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
Their self-titled EP was released July 29th and features 6 songs, one of which (“Heaven Knocking, Hell Rising”) was previously released earlier in their “career”, to my knowledge; it is available on iTunes for $5.94. But enough of this brief intro, let’s get into the beef of this post: THE TRACK BY TRACK ANALYSIS.
IAT starts the EP off heavy with “Falling Everlasting”, having lead vocalist Pat (Paddy) screaming/howling/grunting. “Falling Everlasting” is a very unique and profound track, and it comes across to me as a missional song. The entire song is basically the same two lines, but that is enough to convey the message that God is in charge of everything. Through these two lines, they also (indirectly) cite Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Here are the lyrics for “Falling Everlasting”:
falling on everlasting
where the earth meets the sunrise they are waking we are waking
they are falling on everlasting arms that carry arms that carry outgo and tell the whole world its alright its alright
go and tell the whole world its alright its alrightmy God is sovereign and strong and his will is ours to live
all fall short againgo and tell the world tell the world of his beautiful name
go tell the world we all fall short your all i live forgo and tell the whole world its alright its alright
go and tell the whole world its alright its alrightyou are found in the birth in the birth of everlasting love
found in your everlasting loveall fall short again
The second track “Heaven Knocking, Hell Rising” has a really fun (albeit sometimes boring) music video on their MySpace. This song has a lot of “broken” up parts, without a real solid constraint of a chorus. It appears as if the entire song goes straight through, like a full confessional story, which is exactly what it feels like sometimes (one big story). However, the part which is probably the chorus is also one of the most soothing parts, as Paddy sings (and sometimes falsettos)
You welcome, You welcome,
Its the first thing you do to me,
Always when I’ve been too far away
You are the best thing that has happened to me,
and forever I will worship You.
At this part, I felt that it was more of a “Thank you”-ish statement, or a statement demonstrating the love that God would give, even to those who run away, but turn back to Him (ie. prodigal son parable). This song also begins the common theme (“trademark” sound?) of IAT’s music, a drumstick clicking sound produced by the drummer by hitting the side of the snare (in other words, its an incredibly fast and light version of the rim shots we sometimes hear).
Here’s an embed of the video (via mySpace)
The third track “To The Service” is one of those median songs of reflection which are a bit slower, but by no means any lighter. The song begins by welcoming the listener to taking off their shoes and escape into some sort of solitude, washing their hands and feet and prepare to be in the presence of the one they must fear the most:
Come in and take off your shoes.
Make your way down from the masses,
Into the halls…into His presence.
Wash your feet, wash your hands.
Make yourself new for the Glory,
to fear the One…
Are you afraid of Him now?
The lyrical structure of this song feels very similar to the structure of prayer (which I have forgotten), but basically contains exaltation, exhortation, confession and rejoice, perhaps not in that order. The musical structure of this song is very quirky, which sometimes makes me feel icky about the song, but these somewhat quirky parts are where some of the most reflective lyrics are, or lead into the more reflective/hard-hitting lyrics. These are actually deeper than you think (at least to me), not in the sense of rebellion, but in the sense of “We probably won’t be alive after this moment…”:
We will worship, like its the last time we will.
The fourth track “Velvet Thunder” starts off feeling really…retro-ish (bahaha), but after that it is pretty much a “standard” rock song, albeit a bit slow (maybe this is what constitutes a rock ballad?). To me, one of the irks of this song is how Paddy quickly changes from screaming to singing in a screech — this is only done twice, but feels really…icky, IMO. Once again, most of the lyrics of this song are very focused toward
- Demonstrating IAT’s missional view of their music
- Exaltation to God
You are forever, and we will together
praise Your name all through the heaven’s sky
The fifth track “The Parting”, seems to be a song about the miracles that come through the power of God. Things they talk about include healing, walking on water (I wonder where this is from?), walking through the parting of the seas (And this?) and moving mountains (This?). The impression I get from this song is questioning and affirming — asking whether walking on water, receiving healing, moving mountains and other acts HAS to be performed (miracles) before people truly believe. In this song, we also experience the “trademarked” drumstick clicking (to the side of the snare) as previously mentioned.
The final closing track, “Some Glad Morning”, is one of the craziest tracks in my opinion — but not in the sense you may think (even though it starts off with one of those Story Of The Year psycho screams). The track isn’t over-the-top, standard hardcore screaming, similar to most of this CD. The song’s main part has Paddy singing about how God is at the door and won’t be taken lightly, looking for those who will choose to bear His name, as well as how we must have faith that God will “lead us to safety”.
I have faith that one day You’re gonna to find a way,
between the [arch-status] (“*something* that is”?), holding you further away from the Truth.
//
I have faith you’re going to fly away.
The thing that stands out the MOST in this song is a form of adaptation of an old hymn by Albert E. Brumley, called “I’ll Fly Away”. I don’t know if IAT purposely did this, but they constantly had “I’ll fly away, oh Glory, I’ll fly away”, which is the first line of the chorus. A very nice touch to end off the CD.
All in all, this introductory release demonstrates the type of music IAT produces, as well as provides us a glimpse into what they’re all about. The band seems to be a very vital addition to the Christian music scene, and strongly professes their faith through their music (and hopefully their lives). From the EP we see the vocal range Paddy is capable of, though I am sure he can definitely provide more melodic tunes intertwened with vengeful screams, as well as the trademark drumstick tapping from Joel, the drummer. Most of the lyrics actually feel like they belong in a Matt Redman/Tim Hughes/Chris Tomlin (or even Hillsongs X) worship/praise song led on Sundays, and I am certain the future will only bring even more compassionate, confessional reflective songs. One of the things I didn’t particularily like would be the lack of dynamics, but then again I can’t really expect too much variation in loudness when this is a hardcore/metal CD! With that said, there aren’t too many stand-out instrumental parts, but with the majority of the tracks being sung I start to think of the band more toward rock or alternative, but not hardcore/metal (like the bands found on Solid State Records).
Hopefully, HOPEFULLY IAT will continue to be on my mind and keep my interest by the time their LP comes out…because I don’t exactly want the Mutemath incident to happen again (bought their EP, loved it…and then forgot about them even after their LP came out), or the Flyleaf incident (bought the EP, liked some tracks, hated others, got tired of it…didn’t really remember them for the LP). Here’s to more coolness from the guys at IAT!
Random scores and whatnot:
Instrumentals: 3.2/5
Vocals: 4/5
Lyrics: 3.8/5
Biblical references: 3.5/5
Overall effort (not avg): 4/5
EDIT@10PM:
From YouTube videos, I found out that these guys were actually a worship band at their church, and decided to have a little side project from serving. Hence, the very God-centred lyrics! Kudos!