Barnes & Noble
Anyone wondering about the appeal of the CCM genre's praise & worship movement need only listen to this live release from one of the industry's foremost praise & worship bands. SONICPRAISE is full of rock energy and a spiritual conviction that grows with each of the release's 12 songs. Setting the stage with the anthemic, guitar-charged "Open The Eyes Of My Heart," the band's mood is vivacious -- as is the crowd's. By the megawatt sixth track, "You Are Worthy Of My Praise," both band and fans let it loose (and check out those Frampton Comes Alive-style wah-wah guitars). Many live albums relegate audience sounds to a few moments between tracks; not so here. Instead, producers Jason Halbert and Dwayne Larring artfully incorporate the fans' cheers, singing and clapping throughout to enhance this collection's energy. That's smart, because praise & worship is a group musical experience best heard live. Certainly SONICPRAISE shows us why. Lisa Zhito
All Music Guide
Between the years 1999 and 2000, the live worship album vogue began to overtake Christian music. Although Vineyard Music Group and other praise- and worship-oriented labels had been releasing such projects since the late '80s, the rise of popular CCM artists including Third Day, All Together Separate, and Skillet, to name a few, was uncommon in this venue. However, albums such as Third Day's Offerings proved that live worship projects could not only sell, but were capable of earning critical acclaim. Joining in the release of live worship experiences, SONICFLOOd released their sophomore project, Sonicpraise, in 2001. The Christian rock and alternative band, composed of members Aaron Blanton, Jeff Deyo, Jason Halbert, Rick Heil, and Dwayne Larring, recorded the album live in August 1999 at the Fleuo Festival in Holland and in October 1999 in Nashville, TN. Sonicpraise predominately consists of songs from the group's debut album, including "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," again featuring the vocals of Out of Eden's Lisa Kimmey. New tracks include "You Are Worthy of My Praise" and "Before the Throne of God Above." Overall, the project is high energy and should not be viewed as a repeat of their previous album. Although both releases contain virtually the same tracks, the live worship experience provides a more interactive, intimate project then its predecessor. ~ Ashleigh Kittle, All Music Guide