Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

This worship set from former Paul Oakley Band guitarist and Chasing Stars/Thorntree member Martin Cooper kicks off in suitably heavy fashion with the pounding drums and driving guitars of "All For One" and "My God Reigns" signalling a collection of praise songs that are generally heavier than your usual worship fare. Eastbourne-based Cooper is most definitely at his best when offering up bigger numbers such as the anthemic "Rise Up" and, whilst his vocals tend to lack the power required to match the heavier sound of his songs, there is no doubting the man's passion for God or his ability to turn in a good song when required. Proceedings soon revert to default modern worship mode in the less distinctive and somewhat bland "You Are The Lord" and "Beyond This Life" before the brooding riff-laden "Justified" sees Cooper successfully adopt a Levellers-style guise in what is undoubtedly the highlight of this release. The title track sees Cooper add new music to an Augustus Toplady hymn - complete with a nice prog rock section near the end to lift this otherwise run of the mill reading - whilst the tender acoustic song of devotion "God Of Heaven" closes Cooper's debut album in style.

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