For those paying attention, something’s been stirring beneath the surface of Christian music—something louder, heavier, and long overdue.

Brandon Lake’s new single SEVENS is hinting at a long-dormant movement waking back up. Built on distorted guitars, slamming drums, and piercing vocals, the track leans heavily into early 2000s rock territory. But beyond the sound, the lyrics themselves stand out.

Blood moon, blood red / Blood down His robe / Blood of the lamb / Has overcome
Seven heads / Seven scrolls / Seven seals / Seven bowls / I’m seeing sevens in the sky

It’s not subtle. The apocalyptic language—straight from the book of Revelation—is brimming with fire, warfare, and prophetic imagery. But for longtime fans of Christian music, this isn’t unfamiliar territory.

Christian music in the ’80s and ’90s was no stranger to bold, end-times lyricism. Early Christian metal bands like Stryper and Barren Cross leaned hard into this kind of messaging, using aggressive soundscapes to deliver a warning and a call to action. Even further back, Larry Norman was singing about the rapture, judgment, and spiritual warfare. If I Wish We’d All Been Ready doesn’t straighten up your life, I’m not sure there is a song that will!

There’s even a certain theatricality to SEVENS—a sense of cosmic drama that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Black Sabbath or early Metallica song. It’s worth noting that Alice Cooper—yes, that Alice Cooper—is one of the most openly Christian performers in the world today. Yet if you’ve been to his show, you know it’s not exactly a Elevation Worship experience.

Maybe that’s what SEVENS is tapping into. The sacred and the strange. The roar and the reverent. A kind of musical warfare that acknowledges how intense and real the spiritual battle can feel—and chooses to express it with volume.

This track doesn’t stand alone.

Forrest Frank’s recently completed Child of God tour featured a re-imagining of the song Drop with a heavy, nu-metal edge—distorted guitars, screamed refrains, and the kids in the audience absolutely loved it. Last year at the GMA Dove Awards Tauren Wells teamed up with John Cooper from Skillet on a rock version of Take It All Back.

And here’s what really matters: these aren’t niche artists. Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank aren’t just dominating Christian radio—they’re breaking records and both have been charting on Billboard nationally, crossing into mainstream markets, and reaching audiences that span far beyond the church walls. The most visible artists in Christian music right now are embracing rock. Their decisions matter. Their sonic shifts are felt across the industry.

For too long, the edges of Christian music have been sanded down. Things got safe. Predictable. Worship and country-pop became the default, while rock—once the most powerful tool for communicating the raw urgency of the Gospel—was shelved.

Still, the underground never died. Skillet still packs out arenas. There’s a whole world of Christian rock that’s been alive and well, just waiting for the industry to catch up again.

The response I’ve heard personally from insiders is clear: “If people still care about Christian rock, prove it.” Well—this might be it.

SEVENS isn’t going to be the sole savior of Christian rock, but it might be the spark.

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