Reviewed by Haydon Spenceley

Here is another entry in the ever-burgeoning modern worship field. This record, from a Nashville-based collective however, is one of the finest these ears have heard in many a long year. Born out of the desire of leader Ben Crist for a project to impact those who loved hardcore music but found no worship music to their taste, this is among the most intense worship projects to debut in years. All 10 of the songs on 'Tonight The Stars Speak' are built around ambient, almost meditational grooves and Crist's dry, somewhat droning vocals. "Hear Our Prayers", the opener, and "Meet Us Here" are among the strongest cuts, with swells and crescendos drawing the listener into a place where worship is the only response. Production from the renowned duo of Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong is powerfully sympathetic, in some places recalling the work of Byrd's current project, Hammock. The only slight mis-step is a cover of David Crowder's "Oh Praise Him" which doesn't, to these ears, add anything to the original. But overall this album deserves a place in the collection of any rock-loving worshipper.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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