Rearing from Asheville, North Carolina, Southern Gospel mainstays The Kingsmen have been in the genre for quite a long time--almost 60 years to be exact. Of course, in that much time, the band has undergone many adjustments as various members have come and gone. With that in mind, the group has impressively churned out quality Gospel music for the majority of their career, and continue to do so with their latest release, Victory Shout. Led by long-time vocalist Ray Reece, they have been able to consistently press toward their goal of spreading the gospel through their music, and show no signs of slowing down. While this album doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the genre, it still serves as a worthy addition to the band’s vast catalog of music, and should satisfy fans both new and old.

Kicking off the record is the upbeat “Running To Win,” which boldly proclaims their desire to bring 1 Corinthians 9:24 to life, “My sights are set, with no regrets / I’m pressing toward the goal / I didn’t start on this race to quit / I’m running, running to win.” The power ballad, “Just Climb,” follows this up, and encourages listeners to keep pressing forward, even when circumstances aren't looking too bright. “I’ve Ever Been Glad” continues the strong opening, and showcases what the band does best as the various vocalists blend together beautifully throughout the song. The title track is also a decent offering, as the addition of strings and a choir help set it apart from the other tunes. The album peaks with the fun and quirky “Dear John,” a witty song that asks the Apostle John about what he saw in his vision: “Dear John / I’ve been reading the pages of the book of Revelation, where you tell me about what you saw / Dear John / You told about a vision about the glory up in heaven, but tell me, did you tell it all?”

Unfortunately, the back half of the album doesn’t quite measure up to the first half, as tracks like “It Still Changes Me” and “You’ll Move Mountains For Me” sound more like obligatory fillers. That being said, each song on the record is worth at least one listen, and the weaker moments are still enjoyable nonetheless. Generally speaking, The Kingsmen have created a solid Southern Gospel album that is sure to satisfy many fans of the genre, and is definitely worth the time for those who enjoy this style of music.

- Review date: 6/6/19, written by James Larsen of Jesusfreakhideout.com