David Ruis & Indigika - When Justice Shines

Published Monday 25th June 2007
David Ruis & Indigika - When Justice Shines
David Ruis & Indigika - When Justice Shines

STYLE: Rock
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 24073-12644
LABEL: ION ION1003
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by Allan Clare

Let me say it straightaway: this album is STUNNING. David Ruis has always been one of the Vineyard churches most talented worship leaders and he is, as he comments in the sleevenotes, "in a band. . .finally". The results are amazing. The band is Indigika - Bob Hartry on guitars, Jonathan Ahrens on bass and Doug Mathews on drums, and the 13 tracks were recorded live over three days last May at The Loft in California. This means the inherent rawness of Ruis's rock sound has been left alone (unlike, say, the clean and polished electronic guitar sound of 'Sweet Mercies', his 1997 studio produced solo album). The cover blurb talks of how Indigika is "the fusion of acoustic and indigenous with the loops and swirls of the electronic age. . ." but apart from a couple of house music 4/4 rhythms and the odd burbling acid bass on a couple of tracks, what we have is an excellent rock album, in the vein of U2 or Coldplay, which showcases quality musicianship, songwriting and anointing. Most of the tracks have been penned specifically for this project (and they've all been penned by Ruis) but the first track, "Fragrant Oil", is from 1998. It's a classic opener - an ethereal, repetitive melody in the background while a ballad of entreaty builds, as in the best U2 ballads, to a guitar-driven climax as Ruis sings "Over You" - "It's spilling over me/Let Your fragrance fill this house." Many of the tracks move into a spontaneous time of praying, praising or declaring truths about God (much like 'Sweet Mercies' did) and most tracks are between five and eight minutes long, with "By Your Blood" clocking in at nine and half minutes. There is some wonderful guitar work on this track, with an electric guitar refrain of only four chords that is simply striking and Ruis proclaiming that there is "a blood that is stronger than the blood soaked on Iraqi soil today." The nine minutes of "Amen" have the lines, "He took on flesh/To bear our sin/Embraced the cross/And he rose again" - and these words (which we often think of as the most basic of worship song lyrics,) are, in this haunting and other worldly ballad, invested with the power of truth they contain. Ruis's vocals have never sounded better than on this track. The album is a wonderful combination of rock music, worship, spontaneous praise and prophesying - Kevin Prosch meets Pink Floyd. Other highlights on a consistently excellent set of tracks are "Rest In His Promise", similar in sentiment to Matt Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name", where Ruis sings "I will lift up my eyes/And give glory to Your name. . . When the sun's brightly shining. . .When the sunlight has faded." A masterpiece of modern rock worship and an album I'll be replaying for a long, long time.

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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Product Description
Live worship from the renowned worship leader and his new band.

Reader Comments

Posted by Allan Clare in Oxford, Uk @ 02:31 on Sep 27 2021

Hey Milton. I've often thought of you, Mr Clare in Texas!



Posted by Sara in Us @ 01:49 on Mar 13 2012

Where can I find guitar chords for the song other side



Posted by Jan Olsen in Swansea, Wales, Uk @ 20:51 on Jul 8 2010

I have just finished watching the film "The Genius Club" and it played out with "Rest In His Promise"; what a powerful song; I've just about to order the album



Posted by Milton Clare in San Antonio, Texas @ 17:33 on Oct 1 2008

I had a chance to talk with David Ruis perhaps 10 years ago in Kansas City and I found him to be very down-to-earth and he was really touched to learn that my church leans heavily on his music for our worship. This addition to my already large collection of Ruis worship music is very special because I have seen the heart that it comes from. Thank you, Allan.



Posted by Alistair McDonald in Binfield, Bracknell, Berks, GB @ 23:45 on Jan 14 2008

I love this album. It is not typical worship music, but it is very worshipful in its way.

The music is pretty loop-driven, but there is the usual guitar, bass and drums keeping it more normal, and adding a certain depth. The band work well together, the songs are inspiring, it\'s obviously a live performance and is not perfect, but it\'s very moving and can help you to worship in your own living room (or bus/train/empty room/etc.)



Posted by Ron Yeske in Bellevue Alberta @ 23:55 on Dec 20 2007

I am looking for the chord for (By Your) Blood by David Ruis. Any Chance of having them e-mailed to me . Thanks


Reply by Brian Hung in Hong kong @ 09:22 on Jul 13 2009

I am looking for the guitar chord of "by Your blood". Is it possible for emailing me, many thanks!

[report abuse]


Posted by Henk in the Netherlands @ 14:59 on Aug 16 2007

It's different then you would expect if you have listened to "every move i make"-album or the "break dividing walls"-album, but when you look further than the music, the music will bring you to a place of worship like you've never experienced before! Just listen the raw footage at davidruis.com and you will know what i mean.



Posted by Anri in Amersfoort, the Netherlands @ 12:16 on Jun 28 2007

Worship at his best! Born in community as a raw & intimate reflection of what's going on. Responding to it with words by singing to God or reaching out with righteous deeds.
The only sad thing: the announced dvd footage is missing so we are not introduced to the arts that was part of 'the event' surrounded the recording



Posted by Anri in Amersfoort, the Netherlands @ 12:05 on Jun 28 2007

Worship at his best! Born in community as a raw & intimate reflection of what's going on. Responding to it with words by singing to God or reaching out with righteous deeds.
The only sad thing: the announced dvd footage is missing so we are not introduced to the arts that was part of 'the event' surrounded the recording



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