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Oh, Sleeper is no stranger to controversy. Two years ago, when their debut album surfaced with the title
When I am God, the band was called conceited and blasphemous. Many wrote the group off as irreverent or just another band
trying to make a statement with nothing to say. Yet, a closer look revealed a group of guys with sound theology and a deep,
spiritual message; not to mention bone-crushing riffs and some of the most intense guttural screams in recent memory.
The band returns two years later in much the same way. The cover of their album, Son of the Morning, features a
pentagram, a symbol often associated with pagan and satanic practices. While many will immediately use this as a reason to
write off the band yet again, a closer look at the history of this controversial character reveals much more, and starts to
put the band's intentions into perspective. The pentagram in its original form was a Christian symbol representing God over His
creation. Over the years, it has been altered to its current form, a five-pointed star. The cover of Son of the Morning
features this infamous star, yet without its "horns," a trait commonly associated with Satan himself. As the band explains in the
album, God's victory over Satan can be represented in this way.
The title track, "Son of the Morning," starts off the album from the perspective of Satan who is threatening God. Vocalist
Micah Kinard's piercing screams are chill-inducing as they challenge God for His rightful supremacy. God's only response of the
song is a powerful chorus in which he cries, "If you could see like me you'd see you haven't won anything..
If you could see like me you'd see, it's by my grace that you're breathing."
Throughout the rest of the album, God is preparing to face Satan. In the final song, "The Finisher," God triumphs over
Satan, screaming "my angels will sing to a world reborn as I cut off your horns. I'll cut off your horns."
To someone passing by the album in the store, Oh, Sleeper's newest outing may seem offensive or rude. Yet to someone who
puts the time into listening to truly understand what the band has to say, Son of the Morning may just be one of the most
life changing albums that they have ever listened to. Oh, Sleeper has crafted a musical and lyrical masterpiece full of some of
the freshest and most technical songs in their genre. Listeners taken on this 34-minute journey will not only experience one
of the most intense spiritual battles ever recorded, but also a band who truly puts their heart and soul into what they believe.
Son of the Morning only affirms Oh, Sleeper's place as one of the most honest, talented and hardworking bands
in the scene. One can only hope that their critics open their ears and minds; they might learn something.
- Review date: 8/25/09, written by John "Flip" Choquette of Jesusfreakhideout.com
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Oh, Sleeper made a name for themselves by exploding onto the scene with their debut album
When I Am God. After building a fanbase through their poetic lyrics and intense music - and by touring with
Demon Hunter and the legendary Living Sacrifice - Oh, Sleeper hopes to make a bigger impact with album number two,
Son of the Morning. Though the album artwork took me by surprise (a design that's two arms short of being a
pentagram), the lyrics kept me at ease. Once again, they circle around the concept of justice, love and forgiveness,
and the unfathomable idea that God's love comes before His justice. The lyrics are expressed with Micah Kinard's
powerful screaming, layered over ten tracks of delicious metalcore. The drumming is still grade A, and the guitars are
expertly executed, with beautiful, intricate guitar and bass lines. Incredible musicianship adds up to a fantastic
follow-up for the boys of Oh, Sleeper.
- Scott Fryberger
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Record Label: Solid State Records
