Reviewed by Tony Cummings

To quote a line from a recent CCM magazine, "Kutless is further establishing itself as the big dog of epic, modern hard rock in Christian music." Presuming that fans will be able to forgive the Portland, Oregon band the strong selling but decidedly wimpy worship project. I'm pleased to report Kutless return to what they do best, trading in crunching riffs that will delight devotees of classic rock's past and excite a new generation of black T-shirted young men wanting the adrenaline rush of no-holds-barred rock. Jon Micah, the band's leather-lunged vocalist, has matured since the band's debut while the lyrics, though hardly literary masterpieces, are at least better than the evangelical slogans some hard rockers trade in. Themes here tackled are pressing-on optimism, righteous defiance of the enemies of faith and finding the "Promise Of A Lifetime". That production master of sonic assault Aaron Sprinkle builds up walls of sound on "Wings Of Change" and "Shut Me Out" while the clever use of strings on "Promise Of A Lifetime" and "Mistakes" give the best Kutless songs plenty of radio potential. If you're a Foo Fighters fan you'll love the standout cut "The Knife", with its painful lyric highlighting the modern problem of self-mutilation while elsewhere you'll find an updated Iron Maiden sound on "Change Your Legacy" and "Million Dollar Man". Not the most original rock album you'll hear this year but for those with the ears to hear, a riffola feast.

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