Love Riot

Editors’ Notes First cut to last, Worth Dying For’s full-length debut Love Riot is strong stuff. Amidst an overabundance of standard-issue worship bands, this Modesto, CA outfit cuts a bold figure thanks to its urgent mix of metal, industrial and screamo sounds. WDF’s lyrics are as fervent as their musical attack, embracing roof-shaking sermons (“Destroy”), enraptured praise numbers (“Glorify”) and urgent rallying-cries (the title tune). Co-lead singers Christy Johnson and Sean Loche spur each other on to ever more passionate heights, reaching a peak on the fevered altar-call “Stir It Up” and the scream-wracked “You’re Alive.” WDF is equally capable of propulsive David Crowder Band-esque numbers like “Never Look Back” as well. On “Higher” and “Power of Your Love,” Johnson makes forays into Evanescence/Flyleaf territory, delivering luminous vocals infused with spiritual yearning. Overall, Love Riot succeeds in capturing the aggressive, crowd-rousing energy that WDF has made its trademark through years of youth-ministry work.