Reviewed by Tom Lennie

I can't help viewing this as an alternative to Hosanna's '99 celebration 'Revival In Belfast', with it's "Celtic" ornamentation and over-triumphalism (let's face it, there ISN'T revival in Belfast, nor elsewhere in Ireland). The attitude of 'Powercourt 2000', thankfully, is one of down-to-earth reality, soaked in a sense of helplessness before God, and with a desperate longing for him to come in power. Recorded amidst the Wicklow mountains near Dublin, this 68 minute offering features the much-differing writing and worship approaches of Eire's Eoghan HeasNp and Canada's David Ruis. Ruis' style has changed enormously since the mid '90s, now with an edgy, brooding sound which at times is more "alternative" than the world-worship of Kevin Prosch. To be honest, I find the moody, almost tribal chants of "Shake The Heavens" and "Wide, Wide World" rather unconducive to worship, though his totally sensitive "Lily Of The Valley" and old favourite "I Will Worship" are the very opposite! Eoghan's set begins with the passionate cry of "Lord We Turn" and is followed by several beautifully honest songs of surrender and intimacy; my favourite being the self-abandoning "I Lose Control To You". His is certainly a name to watch for. With plenty of variety on this disc (including a five minute prayer poem) the result is nevertheless a unified whole, a beautiful heart-rendering expression to a living God.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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