Delirious?

    Delirious?

    Also credited as Deliriou5?

    Littlehampton, United Kingdom36 reviews across 15 releases

    alternative rockccmpop rockworship
    DiscogsFacebookInstagram

    Delirious? grew out of the Cutting Edge youth worship events in Littlehampton in 1992, initially functioning as a house band before becoming a full-time group in 1996. Early recordings placed intimate, congregational songs beside increasingly forceful guitars; Cutting Edge (1997) preserved the movement from straightforward worship to spacious, U2-influenced rock with Martin Smith's urgent vocals at the center. King Of Fools (1997) made the shift explicit, pairing singalong worship themes with chunky guitar pop, sampled loops and songs about political violence or personal doubt. The band then moved into darker, more atmospheric territory on Mezzamorphis (1999), where filtered guitars and electronic programming displaced some of the earlier immediacy. Later records moved back toward accessible worship and arena rock, while Audio Lessonover? pursued relationship songs and subdued, Radiohead-tinged textures.

    Stew Smith left the band in 2008, and Paul Evans took over on drums before Delirious? announced its end later that year. Martin Smith's wish to spend more time with his family and pursue CompassionArt prompted the decision; the remaining members chose not to continue without him. The group completed its commitments during 2009's History Makers farewell tour. Its final concert took place at London's Hammersmith Apollo on November 29, 2009, with Stew Smith returning for part of the set. Afterward, Martin Smith continued writing and leading worship through CompassionArt and later solo work. Tim Jupp established the Big Church Day Out festival, while Stuart Garrard and Jon Thatcher formed One Sonic Society with Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury.

    15 releases reviewed