Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby

It must take a lot of determination for a non-American band to get signed to Strike First Records (owned by Facedown Records). Saving Grace are from Gisborne City on the east coast of New Zealand. They released a self-titled demo EP in June 2005, a split CD with Upheld in 2006 and their first full album 'Behind Enemy Lines' in 2008. So, these guys are relatively newcomers and comparisons to an established band like As I Lay Dying would be unfair, especially as AILD have now released the flawless album, 'The Powerless Rise'. The clunky guitar and deep throated growling on the intro ramps up the tempo and aggressive riffing in 'Unbreakable', with the emphasis on faith "United we stand, divided we fall/His blood was spilled for us/This bond. . . unbreakable". The theme of true beauty being found within, rather than from outward appearance is expressed in "The Disgusting Maw". Nicholas Tautuhi's growling reaches death metal proportions on "Pukelips" which is about demonic mental torment. Halfway through the album there is a gentle instrumental interlude before easing back into Vasely Sapunov's epic riffage on "Oaxaca" (featuring guest vocals from For Today's Mattie Montgomery), where they wrestle with being confident in faith for Christ. The raw emotion of child abuse in "All, But The Archer" is palpable "All I ever wanted was a father to love and edify me/All I ever wanted was a lasting pure embrace/But your attempt was self-serving and sick What father would ever do this to his own child?" It is one of the greatest taboo subjects and if you need advice, there is an excellent website called To Write Love On Her Arms (www.twloha.com). Finishing with "The Determined Drunk" which incorporates a quote from the film, The Libertine "But supposing we are perverse, and use our will to bad ends? (Reply) Then we search deep inside ourselves, and we tear out the evil". It emphasises that we are weak, but can overcome our circumstances through the strength given by faith in Jesus Christ.

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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