Pillar Album: “The Reckoning”

I cannot claim that I have been a fan of Pillar since their forming days. However, I can say that, without a doubt in my mind, The Reckoning is spectacular. Its not often that I find a CD that remains in my stereo for well over a month. I am going to say that as someone who enjoyed Where Do We Go From Here, I believe The Reckoning surpassed it. Many will question Pillar for producing a a so-called mainstream album. Mainstream? Obviously, whoever made such accusations did not take into account that the band has grown from Where Do We Go From Here's nu-metal influences. I will say with all honesty, I am not Christian. I do not believe in God, but I can say that this album has made a difference to me. Every song has given me a sense of hope and generally a feeling that life will always go on. Thankfully, Pillar can create great music, without sounding preachy, or giving way to what the "fad" currently is. Enjoy the album for its music and its message!

Pillar has always been one of my favorite bands, but on this cd they just outdid themselves. This cd is so diverse! It shows so many sides of them I didn't know they had. And man have they evolved from Where Do We Go From Here!!! This cd rocks from Everything to Chasing Shadows at Midnight! Go buy this cd now! My favorite tracks are Awake, The Reckoning, Tragedy, Crossfire, Resolution, and Chasing Shadows at Midnight! But they're all absolutely amazing.

Where Do We Go From Here? Apparently backwards.

The Reckoning is a bit above average compared to some of the more generic Nu Metal plaguing the Rock radio airways these days, but The Reckoning is far below the high standard that Pillar set with their 2004 release Where Do We Go From Here.

Gone are song after song of unique sounding, head bobbin', melodic, kick-ass, hard rock gems like Frontline, Dirty Little Secret, Underneath It All and Bring Me Down. Gone are standout tracks with intricate beats, intricate guitarwork and anthem choruses that you can sing along to.

In are songs where some you can't even tell the track has changed, the guitarwork is mediocre, and they mostly sound like all the other Nu Metal on the radio.

Pillar does indeed put together a listenable 13 songs. But "listenable" versus their last release's "rockin'" classification is a downgrade. Rob Beckley's singing in is mostly clear on The Reckoning and you can understand almost every word. However, in a shift from the last release, Rob uses an angry growl redundantly on the first 5 songs that seems really out of place.

The Reckoning is just absent of a really standout track, while Where Do We Go From Here was full of them. So all in all, The Reckoning is a disappointment for me...an average effort.

If you're new to Pillar, be sure to pick up Where Do We Go From Here with (or instead of) The Reckoning. Where Do We Go From Here Pillar fans will probably see what I mean; devoted fans will just give me a NO vote.

This is the best Pillar album yet altogether. It's got everything, literally, from soft to heavy. And this time they actually do alot of them pretty good and rap free. Best Song is without a doubt Crossfire.

I just recently moved to Oklahoma and started a new Church because I met a nice girl who cut my hair and she invited us to her Church, but the really awesome part is her husband is the new drummer for Pillar. I attend LifeChurch.TV and I have only purchased this CD of Pillar's but after experiencing what I did this last Sunday when Rob performed in the live band there at the Church it was a truly amazing, and gave me a new feeling for God! He has changed my opinion of his music too because I wasn't very happy with this CD, but after listening to him sing at the church it got me to purchase For Love of the Game, and I can't wait to get it and listen to it! He is an amazing Christian and so is the rest of his band. I definitely recommend Pillar for your Alternative Christan Music listening needs.