Pillar - Fireproof (Limited Edition) (Bonus Dvd) (CD)

All Music Guide

Over the years, Christian rockers have embraced everything from popmetal to new wave to thrash. So it was inevitable that some bands would use rapmetal to promote a Christian message, which is what Pillar does on Fireproof. Musically, this Kansas band mines the same rapmetal and raprock waters as Kid Rock, Rage Against the Machine, Fat, Limp Bizkit, and Linkin Park. But lyrically, Pillar doesn't have Rage's antiestablishment outlook any more than it shares Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit's macho badboy perspective; instead, Fireproof is a place where chugging, downtuned guitars are combined with a Christianoriented message. Pillar, however, isn't inyourface or militant about Christianity Fireproof isn't telling listeners, "Convert to Christianity, or else." If anything, optimistic tracks like "Echelon" and "Behind Closed Doors" are promoting Christianity in a subliminal way; to put it bluntly, Fireproof doesn't sound like a Jerry Falwell sermon. And because its lyrics aren't taking the firea...ndbrimstone approach, this CD stands a good chance of crossing over to secular audiences. Musically, Fireproof isn't innovative anyone who spent a lot of time listening to alternative rock stations in the late '90s or early 2000s has no doubt heard a lot of similarsounding bands. And the lyrics aren't groundbreaking either; since the early '90s, P.O.D. has been demonstrating that rapmetal lyrics can be spiritual and optimistic. Nonetheless, this more uplifting vision of rapmetal isn't an idea that has been run into the ground, and some metalheads will find it rather refreshing to hear another rapmetal band that isn't totally dark. All things considered, there is a lot to like about this solid, if derivative, CD, which originally came out on the Nashvillebased Flicker label in 2002 and was rereleased by MCA the following year. [The album was also pressed in bonus DVD and bonus track formats.] - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less