Scars Remain (Compact Disc)

Life is hard—but there is grace. However, as Disciple reminds us on its latest hard rock opus, there are consequences to the choices we make—Scars Remain.

With its latest album, the hard rock band from Knoxville, Tenn., brings to bear 14 years of rock & roll matched with seasoned harmonies and heavy duty lyrics of faith and victory in a dark world. From a whisper to a scream, vocalist Kevin Young reminds listeners that the world may batter us and sin may threaten to eat away at us, but there is victory in Jesus. And it is a banner that Disciple holds high.

From the “alarm” opening of “Regime Change,” before it kicks into a big rock wall of sound, it’s clear that Disciple is playing with more urgency than ever. The title track is a veritable assault on the senses, as the lyrics zero in on the struggles of surviving trauma—and the importance of looking at your scars to remember from where you’ve come. “Love Hate (On and On)” addresses the fascination culture has with the horrors that play out on the evening news—and urges the listener to focus on the good things that often slip beneath our collective radar. The timely “Game On” deals with the complicated issue of warfare for Christians.

Balancing the scales, Disciple once again proves its musical versatility several times, from the loneliness of “My Hell” to the mid-tempo rock ballad “After the World” to the sentimental “No End at All.”

In the end, Disciple does a neat trick of giving fans what they expect—and more. Scars Remain is a worthy addition to the oeuvre, showing that, even after 14 years, this band is still reaching into new artistic territory. CHRIS WELL

Review Provided by CCMmagazine.com