Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Recorded live at the third men's Mandate conference at the Waterfront, Belfast, an event organised by Evangelical Ministries and CARE for Northern Ireland and described as "probably the biggest UK gathering of Christian men for decades." NI's own Robin Mark is the worship leader throughout this hour-long collection, with the likes of Barry Bynum, Les Moir and Dave Lyle Morris also receiving musical credits. The album might well be subtitled 'Favourite Christian Anthems Of The Last 300 Years', including as it does Watts' "When I Survey" and Newton's "Amazing Grace"; "Are You Washed" (Hoffman) and "I Stand Amazed" (Gabriel) from over a century later; and more recent classics like Dave Biblrough's "All Hail The Lamb" and David Ruis' "Break Dividing Walls" (how especially relevant to troubled Ireland). "Shout To The Lord" is featured too (is this becoming rather over-recorded?) as well as four of Mark's own songs, including his anthemic "Revival" and "No Not By Might". These show his varied style and deep lyrical content. The music is performed well, Robin's vocals being flawless throughout. Yet, perhaps partly because three quarters of the material here is so well worn, this album lacks the freshness and vitality I would have hoped for. A fairly stirring collection, but without the punch of a knockout album.

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