Reviewed by Paddy Hudspith

Hailing from Guatemala, Vertical bring us 2012's 'Este Es El Tiempo [This Is The Time]', the latest in a string of popular Spanish language rock albums. The four guys - namely Alejandro Quiroa (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Felipe Granados (bass), Hugo Castillo (electric guitar) and Carlos "Meme" Cordon (drums) - heavily base their sound on Delirious? circa 'King Of Fools' and Rick Heil-era Sonicflood, purposefully eschewing any traditional Latin sounds in their laudable mission to bring accessible modern worship to the youth of Central America and beyond. It's mostly mid-tempo 90s AOR here, really tightly produced and slickly delivered, occasionally slowing down for the likes of "Glorioso Salvador [Glorious Saviour]", and closing with "Santo, Santo, Santo", a rocked-up version of Reginald Heber's hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (Nicaea)". An inspirational sound, and a useful reminder (especially to Western ears used to worshipping in English) that every tribe and tongue can and will bring praise to the Lord. Great stuff!

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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Dove Award nominees Vertical is credited as the first in bringing the modern worship movement to Latin America.

Their new 10-track CD Este Es El Tiempo (Now Is The Time), continues their pioneering ways as they push forward their Guatemalan influenced modern worship sound to Spanish-speaking worshippers around the world.