Recently, instead of listening to a lot of modern worship anthems sung by the biggest American mega-churches, I've been listening to a few different bands do pop/rock settings of old hymn texts to new music. These texts were written, in some cases, hundreds of years ago and have been sung by many thousands or millions of Christians and are deeply rooted in the Bible. Released on this day 15 years ago, indie rock band Ascend The Hill brings lots of energy, guitars, drums and bass to some old hymns, writing new melodies to some and adapting the old melodies to the band's sound for others. I've only first heard this album a few days ago, but I like it a lot already and am listening again today on it's anniversary. The lyrics are timeless but also definitely still apply today, and the band balances well the rock sound with the reverence and worship of these songs. You might recognize some of the songs like "Be Thou My Vision", "I Surrender All" or "How Great Thou Art", but you will also hear some new ones. And even if you have sung those hymns before, you have never heard them done quite like this.

Release Year: 2010
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