Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The loose knit aggregation of musicians from British Vineyard churches, known as Vineyard UK, have produced some classic albums down the years - 'Hungry' and 'Come Now Is The Time To Worship' would be in many people's list of all time great worship albums. Now comes this set offering "12 dynamic new worship songs of truth, courage, empowerment and hope for believers worldwide." And indeed there are some top rate songs here with "The Lamb Has Conquered", "He Is Good" and "He Bleeds" being particular standouts. The quality of the material is particularly impressive in that it all emanates from one particular church, Mercy Vineyard, Southampton, more specifically from composers Mike and Jamie Pearson and Kate Cooke. The musicians performing the songs here are the usual hodgepodge of tried and tested talents including Sam Lane (frontman with The Burn Band), Marc James (ditto Verra Cruz), Nigel Hemming (Great Big God). The problem are the vocals. Although the always reliable Sam Lane helps bring variety to some tracks many others are sung by Kate Cooke. Although Kate has a sweet voice I would question whether it has enough tone or texture to make the leap from worship leading in church to lead vocals on a CD. The production from her husband, Verra Cruz's drummer Jimmy Cooke, is good enough. But overall, one has to say this isn't one of Vineyard UK's better offerings.

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The Lamb Has Conquered features a magnificent selection of the best new worship songs birthed and sung in Mercy Vineyard, Southampton.

All songs are penned by writers Mike & Jamie Pearson and Kate Cooke, and put to music by a brilliant group of UK musicians and worship leaders. The songs focus on the redemptive power of the incarnate Jesus raised to life for us. There is a strong declaration of the love and sacrifice of Jesus through songs which are sometimes very personal and reflective, and other times powerful and victorious. These “sung prayers” are dynamically, passionately and sensitively supported musically.

Opening with the battle cry, The Lamb Has Conquered, the album sets out at the very beginning the powerful message that our war has already been won, and proclaims who God is and what He did on the cross. The album then moves into a powerful acknowledgment of the power of the Lamb ending with the anthemic, Worthy Is The Lamb.

The Lamb Has Conquered offers 12 dynamic new worship songs of truth, courage, empowerment and hope for believers worldwide.