Reviewed by Jamie Hailstone

The atmospheric introduction to the opening track tells you this is no ordinary praise and worship CD. "Brand New Day" kicks in with sound effects and then Mikey Randon's powerhouse drums propel the song into action. Johnny Parks is already well established as a worship leader both in Northern Ireland and the US, having toured with Chris Tomlin, but 'Break The Silence' promises to give him a higher profile. It certainly has some big names attached to it, including Matt Redman and Tim Hughes, who co-wrote some of the songs with Johnny. The CD was also engineered by Shane Wilson, who has worked with the David Crowder Band and Michael W Smith. There's also an appearance by part-time Snow Patrol member Iain Archer on guitars. But what sets apart this CD from the competition is the Celtic influence in both the music and the songs. Although it is a modern, guitar-driven album, there are snatches of fiddle and Uillean pipes. Several of the songs are inspired by Northern Ireland's troubled history, including "The Troubles Are Over" and "Walls". By incorporating themes like social justice, Johnny Parks delivers a CD which is free of the normal clichés which sometimes drag modern praise and worship albums down with "Great Church" being a real highlight. 'Break The Silence' is one of the most original praise albums of the year and deserves a wide audience.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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