In 1996, Joseph Rojas attempted to commit suicide during a drug binge. On his way to the hospital, Rojas found God amidst the chaos. Unknown at the time, these were the founding steps of the Texas-based band, Seventh Day Slumber.
Since that pivotal moment, the band has released over 10 albums that honor God while rocking out. Deep within their discography, Seventh Day Slumber has delivered several worship albums, including 2009’s ‘Take Everything‘ and 2013’s ‘Love & Worship.’
This year’s ‘Thy Kingdom Come‘ continues the tradition, combining well-known hits by Christian favorites like Brandon Lake and Lauren Daigle, with roaring guitar and bombastic drumbeats. The culmination gives the audience a refreshing take on songs they already know by heart.
The first track, “What A God,” comes in crisp and clean with a well-produced sound and a touch of autotune. With lyrics like “Who knew you’d make good of my mistakes? You’re nothing like I thought you were — you’re better,” the band does nothing to hide their beliefs, but instead wears their faith like a badge.
The words point to the beauty of a god beyond comprehension. An almighty being that understands far beyond our worldly knowledge and loves us more than humanly possible.
Chris Tomlin’s near-classic, “Good Good Father,” quickly follows with a steady drumbeat that makes the song a little more digestible for the casual hard rock fan. Christian contemporary music isn’t everyones cup of tea, but with Seventh Day Slumber’s glam up, a newer generation of Christians can appreciate the meaning behind the song.
When Rojas sings, “I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide, but I know we’re all searching for answers only You can provide,” there is no doubt in the man’s convictions. Even if our parents fail us, our Heavenly Father never will.
“Praise” continues the straight-talking rockfest, this time with more forward-facing keyboards and catchy guitar riffs. Rojas and the gang keep the celebratory feel of the initial cut but kick it up a notch. If none of the earlier tracks got you out of your seat, this one should do it.
The lyrics “I’ll praise when outnumbered, praise when surrounded, cause praise is the water my enemies drown in,” inform the listener that adoration shouldn’t only be reserved for the good times. In darkness, light can be summoned with love and admiration. Praise is a tool available to help at any given time, lifting spirits to the heavens, and overcoming defeat.
2018’s “You Say” by Lauren Daigle was an instant hit when it made its way to the airwaves, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. From there, it broke records by spending 132 weeks on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. If that wasn’t enough to motivate other artists to cover the song, the uplifting and inspirational lyrics sealed the deal.
Musicians such as Anthem Lights and The Crosby Family did their best to embrace the heart of the song, but very few were able to capture the voice.
On this recording, Rojas’s vocals come close to apprehending Daigle’s expression but fail by mere inches. This ultimately loses some of the spirit, but that doesn’t mean this is a bad rendition of the song — just different.
As Rojas sings the refrain, “You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak,” the message comes across clearly — even when we are at our lowest, God thinks the best of us.
Jumping to slightly more recent times, “The Blessing,” based on Numbers 6:24-26, fully quotes scripture and is a heartfelt prayer for God’s protection. Asking for blessings on our families for generations to come, the song is straightforward, longing for the ultimate refuge in God’s loving embrace. What better place to find sanctuary than in the arms of the God who loves unconditionally?
Unlike “You Say,” this version of “The Blessing” outshines the Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes’s rendition by transforming forgettable instrumentation into over-the-top guitar hooks. Paired with the cool, calm vocals, these musicians truly put their best foot forward, owning the song in every way. Simply put, this song rocks.
Throughout the Bible, one of the most commonly mentioned characteristics of God is the word holy. “Holy Forever” memorializes this attribute repeatedly in the refrain. The song paints a picture of who God is and why He should be worshipped.
Lyrics such as “If you’ve been forgiven, and if you’ve been redeemed, sing the song forever to the Lamb” call out to the audience, inviting them to join in adoration. With all these elements combined, the melody transforms into a victory cry honoring the King of Kings.
“Champion” closely follows the themes of “Holy Forever,” calling God the undefeated winner over every battle. Meanwhile, the author also recognizes their own unworthiness in being brought into the fight.
While God acknowledges our weaknesses, He does not shy away from those He loves. Instead, He carries us through the struggle and transmits His power through us, placing us on the hero’s throne. There are no losers in the Kingdom of God.
As the album closes out, “Gratitude” brings the recording full circle, emphasizing many of the points already made in the previous 9 songs — an unworthy person is laying down everything in devotion to his God. It is simple, to the point, and 100 percent heartfelt. This is the epitome of worship.
While man can be fooled and flattered by big words, God sees the heart and motivation. When all we have left is a hallelujah, and we are determined to give it, God is truly honored.
‘Thy Kingdom Come’ feels like a greatest hits album for modern-day worship. Nearly every song strikes the right tone between words, emotion, and music. Even the tunes that miss the mark are still pretty good.
Ultimately, Seventh Day Slumber achieves their goal of marrying contemporary Christian with hard rock. Nothing here is abrasive enough to offend, but the band still sticks to their rock-and-roll roots. This is a win-win for everybody, allowing everyone to broaden their horizons.
What is your favorite track on ‘Thy Kingdom Come?’ Let us know in the comments below!
Listen to ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’
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Charles E. Henning
Self-proclaimed "entertainment guru" Charles E Henning fills his free time reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. While not always up on the latest trends, he is consistently willing to dissect the themes of pop culture.