Pillar ‘One Love Revolution’

Written by: Abby Baracskai (8/4/2015)

Pillar is BACK y’all! It may have taken the band quite a few years to get another album put together (6 to be exact) and out on the musical scene once again, but they have successfully done it.  One Love Revolution contains all the elements that Pillar fans are looking for: a heaping helping of crashing drums, a handful of passionate screams, a generous amount of shredding guitars, and a sprinkle of slower emotional tracks – all coated with God-centered lyrics.

One track that I’d like to point out right away is “Ember of Hope.” I’m not really sure how they were able to title this though since the entire thing is an instrumental. Usually, whenever there’s a song without lyrics, I’m the first one to immediately delete it from my iTunes. I’d like to commend Pillar for adding this little touch in the middle of the album and say I’m impressed that I’m even considering keeping it in my files. It’s the classic hard rock sound and it paints a picture in my head. I can imagine the guys getting together and having a rock out session to complete this track. It was something I wasn’t expecting to be included and I’m pleasantly surprised.

While I’m talking about rocking out, I think it’s appropriate to switch the focus to the song “Disconnect”. This song comes right out of the gates with an amazing guitar intro with major shredding, but has a balance of slowed down verses, then picks back up to a powerful chorus.  Let’s not forget the tactfully placed screams in the song as well. On top of that, I think the message of the song about “[rising] above all the noise [to] hear the truth instead” really hits home about what we, as Christians, are to focus on. It’s like the concept of “being in the world but not of it” idea that we’re taught. The song is a little reminder to take your focus off of earthly things, “disconnect” from the world around you and spend some quality time with the One who created you.

My favorite song on the album is probably “Unafraid”. I like the piano beat that accompanies the light drum. It helps to create a soothing melody, yet it lets you focus on the emotion of the lyrics. I might be crazy for saying this, but I’m going to anyways: I think this is one of the most impactful songs, lyrically, that I’ve heard in a long time.  The song is a deeper explanation of a basic Christian truth that God has overcome and we don’t have anything to fear. The way everything is worded and sang gives me an overwhelming sense of peace in being able to trust in God’s loving guidance for my life. Really think about it for a second, we honestly have nothing to fear if we truly know and believe in God. “Don’t let your history keep you from being who you’ll be” is an important lyric because I think a lot of people get caught up in their past mistakes. You are able to move on from the past and accept a bright future that God has planned for you.

The final song I’d like to highlight is “Fall to Foe”**. I think it’s a solid song to wrap up the album. It follows a few slower and emotionally heavy songs. Placing this track at the end reminds the listener of Pillar’s rock roots and gets them amped back up with the screams, pounding drums, and dynamic guitars. The song also leaves a great last message about staying strong and standing up for what you believe in; knowing that people may “bend [you] but [they] never will break [you].” The track wraps up the album perfectly by inspiring you to stand strong in your faith and be confident in yourself.

Pillar has designed another amazing album that helps to spread the good news and share who God really is. The most important thing is that they were able to stay true to Christian beliefs and also incorporate the rock element that their band is so much about. One Love Revolution is a great comeback album that includes touches of new things, musically and lyrically, but is everything you could want in an album to help strengthen your faith and be able to head bang and rock out to.

**”Fall To Foe” is only available on the hardcopy purchased from Lifeway Christian.