7th November , 2008

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: Light Has Come

Artist: The Kingdom

Year: 2008
Label: RealLife (indie)
Web: www.myspace.com/musicthekingdom
 
In A Word: Vibrant

"Stand outs include the RnB influenced Oh Most High with its soaring chorus and melodic lines that would suit a guy named Sebastian."

The Kingdom is new on the Aussie music scene and has recently started to venture beyond the confines of their Melbourne suburb with their first set at Black Stump arts festival in Sydney. Though I didn't see them live there (yep, our band was on at the same time on another stage!) I have been consistently impressed with these guys for their tunes as well as their incredibly work ethic. The already have three albums under the church moniker, Real Life Christian Church, prior to forming The Kingdom as a touring band.

Mickey D, one of the bands key drivers was spotted earlier this year at the inaugural GMA/ANZ conference on the Gold Coast and impressed the collective with just a backing track, live guitar and a very honest song delivery.

Alive, the opening cut of the album, points the way with an epic guitar riff that Whiteheart and Petra would be proud of. The lyric is a fist-pumper that will make the youth group jump in time stating "God's not dead / no He is alive / He is alive!"

The songs have strong scripture driven lyrics throughout such as Garment Of Praise, Now is the time (Psalm 133) and Light Has Come. The Planet Shakers influence is un-missable and sometimes a little distracting. The lead vocal would sit easily beside Mr Seeleys and the guitar driven pop is at times uncannily familiar.

The production values are outstanding and it will surprise a lot of listeners that this is an indie production with funding help from the local church family.

Stand outs include the R n' B influenced Oh Most High with its soaring chorus and melodic lines that would suit a guy named Sebastian. The closing worship of Lamb That Was Slain is a sparkling anthem which includes a postlude that showcases some brilliant musicianship and will serve well as personal worship music for listeners.

This is as strong a debut album as I have heard from any Aussie act and one gets the sense that if The Kingdom keeps moving around the country they'll get a lot more people singing upward with them.