When interviewed by The Phantom Tollbooth years ago, Rich Mullins said the secret to Christian music was "If you can't be good, be loud." NIV is a hardcore band that follows the formula of hardcore: Play loud guitars and drums, play it fast, and shout and growl your lyrics over that soundtrack.
Lead vocalist Jason Moody says that the group "took a lot of time and wanted every word to be the right word." However, due to the mix of this album, I cannot confirm if he succeeded or not. The lyrics here are buried beneath the instrumentation in every song except for "Reunion." Regardless, NIV would appeal to fans of P.O.D., Spite of Opposition, or Agnostic Front.
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Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #90Reviewed by John SantAt one point, No Innocent Victim was considered one of the driving forces of the underground hardcore scene. The album Strength was a seminal achievement, instantly securing their place in the Christian hardcore scene. Their second album, No Compromise, while having one of the crappiest mixes imaginable, was full of heart and direct with its message. It only added to the band's popularity. Fast…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by GrindboyNIV definitely puts the HARD in hardcore. This latest release from the much heralded SoCal band is pretty much similar to their last, which is prototypical BRUTAL hXc, low and heavy. There are a couple standout tracks, which is nice. "Mr. Philosophy" is a great fast one, "Deadweight" (my personal fave) is a HUGE groovin' slow one, and the title track rocks somewhere in between. There are some…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by the ProjectTipping the Scales by NIV is a killer pumped disk. I advise you like your hardcore HARD before buying this one. It is mad hard! I love it. Yelling, growling, insanity for the Lord is all this album is!! Very tight disk. Technical yet unorganized chaos?!? I don't know exactly where I stand with this disk because I am not too into the style, but I will say this disk is quite amazing. It really…Similar sounding releases
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