Reviewed by Stephen Curry

This set delivers the first new material from Manchester's renowned church for two years and the energy levels are as high as ever. From the uplifting and powerful title track ("Giving up the Father's throne/Letting go of all you'd known/Sacrificed it all to show the way") to the pop worship of "The Charge", the atmosphere of the live event spills across the recording like a frenzied rave. The songs manage to retain catchy hooks which help the listener to engage in the experience. "No Greater Love" and "Deeper" introduce a more reflective sound, the former with only three lines repeated over and over. The stately hymn "How Great Thou Art" even gets an electronic makeover fused with a rousing new chorus "Jesus forever". 'Rise' offers a varied mix of rock, pop and synthesised music wrapped in a live worship platform. Some songs captivate the heart and soul of the live event but one or two fail to reach the same heights. However, the passion of the church and their creative energy still stand out and the dance "Rise Remix" reminds us "We're gonna lift you up higher/We are not ashamed." The accompanying DVD gives a visual expression to the raw energy of the !Audacious gig.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.