The band Spoken released their third album after being together for about five years. Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell is a compliment of heavy guitar riffs with some melodic singing as well as fierce screamed/rapped lyrics. Overall, this album is deeply devoted to intense "in your face" messages displaying their devotion to God.

As far as musical style goes, this isn't necsessarily classified as one genre. Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell is a blend of metal, rapcore, melodic rock, and a touch of screamo. The album's strong message and musical delivery is personally a favorite point of mine. The most well-known and perhaps the strongest track is "Dance Like David." Don't expect a natural song setup with the typical two verses, chorus, and bridge here. It's roughly a five minute song of desperate prayer and worship. It begins with vocalist Matt Baird repeatedly singing, "Oh God let Your spirit fall on me." Soon it picks up as Matt's lyrics transition to a desperate screaming/rapping of, "Oh God I want to dance like David." It's a song that definitely serves as a statement of the "old school" Spoken.

Altogether, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell is really enjoyable. It is, however, a piece of Spoken's earlier work, so it is not up to the consistency of their newer releases. Any fan of early Disciple or early P.O.D. would love this record. Spoken definitely brings its heavy game in their third release, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell.

Review date: 6/27/09, written by Josiah Jordon Pletch for Jesusfreakhideout.com