Forever Reign CD/DVD

Hillsong Chapel is an acoustic and devotional collection of favorite Hillsong songs by the Hillsong team.

Recorded live in March 2012, Forever Reign is the second installment in this organic contemplative expression of praise and worship. Comprised of 12 carefully rearranged songs, this project is perfect for smaller gatherings and will help resource smaller congregations with favorites such as; “With Everything”, “Desert Song”, “Cornerstone” & “Beautiful Exchange”. Forever Reign is also ideal for personal devotional and meditative times of worship.

This video is a live performance of the title track ‘Forever Reigns’ - the version on this CD will differ slightly, but here are the lyrics:

‘’(Verse 1)
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

(Verse 2)
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

(Chorus)
Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

(Verse 3)
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

(CHORUS)

(Bridge)
My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

(CHORUS)’’

'Forever Reign takes you into the heart of Hillsong worship by stripping all the noise and alleged 'hype'. The band are genuine, original and innovative as they praise God in a smaller, quieter setting. Songs you are familiar with are explored and rethought in terms of feel, while the congregation takes a central role in leading the singing - they are full participators. This album will enthrall Hillsong fans, and change the perceptions of those who have previously expressed a dislike for the music of these Aussie worshippers.'

TRACK 1: GOD IS ABLE - The title track of Hillsong’s Live Album for 2011, this is a song that typifies the modern Hillsong genre - strong drums come and go, building climaxes and leaving interludes for piano and string parts to lead. In this particular version there is apt use of a tambourine.

TRACK 2: HALLELUJAH - A quieter song in which congregational singing takes centre stage with the words ‘Hallelujah, our God reigns’. Again, instruments join in and a climax threatens, but then the song returns to the stripped-back way in which it started, which makes for good listening.

TRACK 3: RHYTHEMS OF GRACE - The third song on this ‘unplugged’ CD, Rhythms of Grace is a track that excites the listener with a driving 6/8 time signature and great harmonies as the male and female vocals entwine. Listen out for some more abstract instruments!

TRACK 4: YOU - ‘So I lay me down, for Kingdom come’ the band sing in a song that has an interesting old-school feel. The worship music of pre ‘stadium-rock’ days is revived in this track.

TRACK 5: CORNERSTONE - The title track of Hillsong’s Live album for 2012, they are obviously keen to give it as much airtime as possible. Reuben Morgan talks about how the song came about following the Anders Breivik massacre - he co-wrote the song Eric Liljero (of Hillsong, Stockholm) and Jonas Myrin with lyrics taken from the hymn ‘My Hope is Built on Nothing Less’ (On Christ the Solid Rock).

TRACK 6: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL - This rendition of ‘It is Well’ captures a great fusion between modern and older music, highlighting the enduring value of this song to the church for worship. Furthermore, Hillsong have written a chorus of their own.

TRACK 7: FOREVER REIGN - Even in this small setting, this song sounds anthemic. The verses are strongly supported by the band, but in the chorus (the best bit, in my opinion) space is left for the congregation to sing/shout/scream ‘oh I’m running to your arms, I’m running to your arms, the riches of you love will always be enough, nothing compares to your embrace, light of the world forever reigns!’ This song was a hit at Soul Survivor and Momentum 2012.

TRACK 8: DESERT SONG - This song, another Hillsong favourite in recent years, is slowed down in this version. This approach serves to accentuate the haunting female vocals that declare God’s enduring faithfulness even through the ‘desert’.

TRACK 9: HIS GLORY APPEARS - This is a song very tenderly sung. With harmonies and a light piano part, the Hillsong band join the congregation in singing of God’s grace. ‘...look to the sky, hear the angel’s cry, singing holy is the Lord’.

TRACK 10: THE LOST ARE FOUND - Again featuring a prominent piano part, the music seems to rumble in the background as the band and congregation sing at a similar level. I’m astounded by the adeptness of the congregation on this live recording - perhaps they were handpicked, each worship leaders themselves!

TRACK 11: BEAUTIFUL EXCHANGE - Another title track, this time from Hillsong’s Live album of 2010, this track speaks of Jesus taking our place on the cross, being punished for our sin. ‘You gave your life in a beautiful exchange, when only love could break these chains, you gave your life in a beautiful exchange’.

TRACK 12: WITH EVERYTHING - No modern worship album seems complete without a worship leader leading the congregation in a ‘wo-oh’ song. These ‘wo-oh’s are not difficult to grasp, and the band make an interesting choice - to include an organ.

CONCLUSION: While you may get the feeling that Hillsong is recycling tracks, this is perhaps their most adventurous album yet. Different takes on songs, a quieter band, and an abstract selection of instruments are all present. Definitely worth a listen, whether you are a Hillsong fan exploring their varying musical spectrum, someone new to Hillsong, or someone who has previously disliked music from Hillsong. This is something a bit different.