Review

This album is my first exposure to Michael Gungor. As I listened to it, I found myself wondering why it took me so long. Michael is another one of the passionate lead worshippers that God is raising up for this generation. Choose any of the tracks... begin listening at any point in the song... it doesn't matter where. Wherever you start listening, you won't have to wonder where Michael's affections are. The message is loud and clear. Jesus is Lord and He is taking over!

What this album is not: a nice worship album you can play for your pre-service music or your quiet time. What this album is: a full blown, in your face, passionate pursuit of the God of the nations. An album that understands that we are in a war, and the weapon of choice is worship. God arises in that worship and the enemy scatters.

"Heroes tremble in your presence/Kings forget their crowns/Mountains shudder at Your whisper/Nations fall face down"- Forever

The tone is definitely "rock". Big EG power chords, driving bass and drums. When you combine great musicianship with this kind of undeniable zeal, you have a powerful expression of God's presence. The fact that Battle Cry was recorded live at a Teen Mania event in Lyndale, Texas, didn't hurt anything. Michael, his passion for God, and his music lit the fuse of the powder keg of youthful passion in the hearts of those that had gathered for this event.

"I am free to run, I am free to dance/I am free to live for You/I am free." - I Am Free

Even though the tempo slows down at points in the album, the intensity does not. If possible, the slower tempo seems to give even more room for heart expression.

"It's been sung, it's been prayed/Countless times throughout time/It's been said a thousand ways/By children and kings, poets and priests/I'd like to say it again, Just let me say it once again/I love you Lord." - Children and Kings

Thank you, Michael, for saying it again in your own way. It's a joy to worship Him with you through this album.

Review by Danny Mullins