Up-and-coming and Austin-bred, Christian rock band Before the Throne has been busy the past year completing and promoting their all-original debut album, 'Your Kingdom Come,' released in January 2006. Since the band's inception in 2002 as a college worship ministry, they have broken onto the scene of Christian music in Central Texas and have made their mission an authentic and prophetic call to holiness, all through a powerful and unique musical sound.
Inspired by other groundbreaking artists in the genre, Before the Throne's progressive instrumentation, urgent lyrics, and ambient melodies push the expectations of indie Christian rock. Their hopeful songs both celebrate the joys and confront the hardships of life and challenge all people to seriously consider living their lives for Christ.
the story:
Rev 7:9-12
I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb." All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Before the Throne was originally conceived as an alternative worship ministry at the University Catholic Center on the UT campus in Austin. The above scripture verse has always summed up the core concept and mission behind what the band does. Designed as an inter-denominational Christian outreach, BTT soon took on a flavor all its own as a unique encounter with Christ for those desiring something different than the other ministries on campus. For three and a half years, the ministry grew and changed, and was shaped by each and every individual that was involved. During that time, the opportunity arose for the ministry to step outside the doors of its home on campus to lead the people of Taylor, TX in worship. Before long, offers were being made by several other churches, especially for their youth, for Before the Throne to come and lead worship or play a Christian concert.
All along there were requests for BTT to put out a CD, but also desiring to invest in their own equipment for traveling ministry, the band postponed the CD until it became financially possible. In the summer of 2005, the band decided to go ahead and hit the studio. Eleven worship songs were recorded and sat half finished until everyone returned to Austin after summer's end. Upon their return, in response to many peoples' urgings for the band to write original music, they discussed the desire to use the talents they had to come up with some original worship music for the CD and discerned the call to tighten things up and create a strong identity as a real band.
Before long, eleven new studio tracks were being recorded and performed. Before the Throne's debut album, 'Your Kingdom Come,' was born. Crafted in a manner of expressing the fullness of worship throughout a life committed to Christ, rather than just the simple act of singing a worship song, the album's title became the mantra for the band's mission. The things we do here on earth to get as close to God as possible, as close to kneeling before his the throne in worship, are the very things that work towards bringing about his Kingdom on earth. An act of worship is not a solitary act between God and man. Worship involves all of creation as we strengthen the united Body of Christ. It is only through this kind of active practice of radical love, striving for peace and justice, and fighting for the truth that his Kingdom will come to us.
Following the release and great support of that CD by their fans, the band decided to continue to the next level with their music, and is now working on music for a second album while continuing to play across Central Texas. They plan to continue doing ministry in whatever way God calls them to and ask that anyone who supports the mission pray for them and pray for unity amongst all people in Christ.
Thanks to all of those who have been a part of BTT over the years to shape it into what it has become:
Brandon Kraft, Gerardo Interiano, Elaine Jimenez, Eric McArthur, Hung Doan, Michael Wetterauer, Dan Landi, Chris Smith, Lauren Kushnerick, Tim Hamilton, Darryl Daniel, Selina Gonzales, Jimmy Rose, Mia Migliaccio, Cristina Castro, Jessica Bodman, Katie Letts, Rob Condrey, John Banks, Ross Falcon, and Will Labbe.
Thanks also to those who have worked hard to get BTT recognized and promoted and have made the completion of the CD a great success!
