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Vintage! Oh How I Long To See You
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Passionate. Powerful. Honest. These are words that sometimes get thrown around lightly in today’s world, but these are the words that come to mind when thinking of Rend The Heavens. Their latest self-made EP, “The Bright Side” is an absolute breath of fresh air to the Christian market.
Taking musical cues from Radiohead, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Delirious, they are utterly God-focused in their music. “My Heart Cries Out” sings, “You bled and died for me, oh how could such a love be / When my sin and shame nailed Your hands / and You tore the veil, and You’re tearing me now / and my heart is rent with love for the One who was rent for me”.
Now operating out of Portland, OR, the band had its beginnings at a missionary base in Montana. “We wanted to record a collection of worship songs that echoed the deep longing we saw in so many people’s hearts,” says Aaron Sternke, the main writer and lead singer of the band. “The old hymn writers did it so well… you can hear the entire gospel message in some of those old songs. Today’s message, in contrast, can often be so cheap…”
Along with Sarah Hellems (guitar), Matt Hellems (bass), and Luke Simpson (drums), Aaron and the band have set out to be modern “hymn writers”. They want to experience God fully, and share their experience and revelation of Him through the powerful medium of music.
“Music has a way of reaching past our analytical brains and speaking directly to our hearts,” says Aaron. “People are totally desperate for God, whether they realize it or not… and we want to provide the best scenario for Him to speak to them and heal them.”
Seeing Rend The Heavens play live is just such an experience. It is passionate, it is emotional, it is moving. It is, for many, a very real encounter with God. Brad Wigg of Christian band The Afters says, “Rend The Heavens’ music and melodies are very compelling. Combine that with their profound lyrical content and you have a very emotionally moving experience.”
Before moving to Portland, the band spent two years in Nashville, TN. During their time there, Aaron had the opportunity to work with Christian music producer Brown Bannister. “I learned loads from Brown,” says Aaron. “He is such a legend in Nashville, with good reason.” While working for Brown, Aaron has met and worked with Mercy Me, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Third Day, Building 429, and many others.
“Our whole philosophy and mission” says Aaron, “is well summed up in 1 John 3:2 - ‘When we see Him, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.’ So seeing Christ is what makes us like Him. We want to live this through our music - to see Jesus as He is, and through Him bring a healing change to people’s lives.”
