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Behold the Beloved is delivering a reality check with their newest full-length rock album Harsh Realities, produced by Thornwall Studios with vocal production from Josiah Prince of Disciple. The album is streaming on all major platforms June 20.
Harsh Realities follows hard on the heels of its currently top-10-charting single “Dear Martyr,” a song of encouragement to the persecuted. That song sets the tone for an album packed with reminders that the life of the faithful will not be easy - but it will be worth it.
“Harsh Realities was chosen as a title because it...
Read More Behold the Beloved is delivering a reality check with their newest full-length rock album Harsh Realities, produced by Thornwall Studios with vocal production from Josiah Prince of Disciple. The album is streaming on all major platforms June 20.
Harsh Realities follows hard on the heels of its currently top-10-charting single “Dear Martyr,” a song of encouragement to the persecuted. That song sets the tone for an album packed with reminders that the life of the faithful will not be easy - but it will be worth it.
“Harsh Realities was chosen as a title because it sums up every point made in the record through the songs,” the band explains. “The thought that life with Jesus is just rainbows and unicorns is a lie. Life will always bring challenges and destruction. The enemy is always on the prowl and sometimes there is no real answer on why things happen. That is the harsh reality of life.”
Expanding on some of those specific realities, the band offers, “These are songs that discuss the reality of false prophets in the church and on stage, the persecution and reality of death to Christians around the world, the confusion and feeling of physical and mental illness or even demonic spiritual influence or possession, the feeling of being unforgivable, and the feeling of life being too much and wanting to end it. These are ways life can impact us whether we know Christ or not. Those of us who do not know the love of God can relate and will be guided to the victory Jesus brings. Those of us who do know who Christ is can be reminded and encouraged that they’re not alone in those moments. Jesus is still King. He will bring you through it in the end.”
To create an outstanding rock album of the caliber fans have learned to expect from Behold the Beloved, the band recorded vocals with Josiah Prince at The Ranch and cowrote two tracks with both Prince and Andrew Stanton (Divebomb Studios). Thornwall Studios handled mix engineering and instrumentals, and Jeff Mckinnon mastered the record. The album holds features from guitarist Andrew Stanton (Disciple) on “Ready to Die” as well as vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall (Kutless) on “Am I Broken.”
The contributions of each band member are evident too, whether it’s on soaring rock anthems or the closing worship cover. Behold the Beloved is comprised of Sean Green, Jeff Lehman, Jason Stauffer, Sheldon Stauffer, Tim Kitchen. Each one of the members brings a commitment to authenticity to the creative process.
“These topics have a special place for each of us in the band,” Behold the Beloved explains. These are not random topics we chose. We all have a heart for these realities. We want them to be overcome, and we have seen God work in incredible ways in our own lives and want to share with the listener that we have seen proof of His love, mercy, and grace. Some things are beyond our understanding, and we must rely on believing in God's plan in it all.”
The band’s hope is that listeners leave feeling themselves encouraged in the midst of even the struggles that are not yet resolved.
“These realities are never too much for God to overcome or redeem. Anyone struggling in these areas is not alone. They are seen, they are loved, and in those moments they can lean fully on the love and power of Christ,” the faith-based rock outfit shares.
”I believe that you can see beyond these harsh realities
I’m trying to get the message
I’m dying for direction.”
“Am I Broken”
Ultimately, despite these harsh realities, the album ends in a posture of worship. The band has always ended their albums with a worship cover, and this time around that takes the form of “Gratitude.”
“We have been so grateful for what God has done in our band and ministry, especially in the last two years during the creation of this record,” the band freely confesses. “It was the perfect song to cover and offer our personal take on for this record.”
Harsh Realities releases as Behold the Beloved begins their summer festival season.
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Behold The Beloved has released a song selflessly offering fortifying encouragement to the faithful with 'Dear Martyr,' streaming everywhere and going for radio adds now. “This song is designed to encourage Christians…
