The Union of Sinners and Saints

John Schlitt apparently likes to keep himself busy these days. He just formed another group called The Union of Sinners and Saints with former Whiteheart vocalist Billy Smiley, and they released this rock version of the classic "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" hymn...



More info: https://www.facebook.com/TheUnion7 and https://theunionofsinnersandsaints.bandcamp.com

I think we already had a thread on this somewhere (I'm just too lazy to look for it).

Kinda hoping the rest of the album sounds a little more like the rocking side of Petra/White Heart and not just a CCM/worship album

If it is just another worship album, I won't get it.  If they have something new to offer, then I'm in.

I noticed the song was arranged by Billy Smiley and Dave Ellefson.  Would that be David Ellefson, of Megadeth fame, I wonder? Very cool if it is, specially as it's certainly not thrash! LOL!

BearDad wrote:

I noticed the song was arranged by Billy Smiley and Dave Ellefson.  Would that be David Ellefson, of Megadeth fame, I wonder? Very cool if it is, specially as it's certainly not thrash! LOL!

Yes, Dave is also involved in the project. Might be a reason too why this sounds like Praise music. Dave is heavily involved in this type of music. Probably surprising because of his background. But when it was time to record the latest MegaDeth album Dystopia, Dave thought Dave (E) was not going to be on the album. He said when it came time to start that "Jr. was nowhere to be found". Ellefson is still a member of MegaDeth but that might not be his top priority anymore. And Mustaine now lives in Nashville while Ellefson lives in Arizona and is heavily involved in his MEGALife Ministries.

MikeInFla wrote:

BearDad wrote:

I noticed the song was arranged by Billy Smiley and Dave Ellefson.  Would that be David Ellefson, of Megadeth fame, I wonder? Very cool if it is, specially as it's certainly not thrash! LOL!

Yes, Dave is also involved in the project. Might be a reason too why this sounds like Praise music. Dave is heavily involved in this type of music. Probably surprising because of his background. But when it was time to record the latest MegaDeth album Dystopia, Dave thought Dave (E) was not going to be on the album. He said when it came time to start that "Jr. was nowhere to be found". Ellefson is still a member of MegaDeth but that might not be his top priority anymore. And Mustaine now lives in Nashville while Ellefson lives in Arizona and is heavily involved in his MEGALife Ministries.

AFAIK he's touring with them. They'll be here in SD in May; wish I could go, but it's my daughter's graduation weekend.

If I lived in Sioux Falls I'd be broke! http://www.badlandspawn.com/blp_event/ Wait, I am broke. LOL!

The band has released a new single today.

Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/independence-day-single/id1113103259
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FIURN5Q

There's also a great song called "Lone Soldier" on Google Play Music (but "Independence Day" isn't on there for some reason).

Try this link at Amazon to hear clips of the whole project:

Amazon Preview

If you like the music that John Schlitt has released independantly or the stuff he has done with the Jay Sekulow Band, then you will probably like this.  It's not really heavy, but it has a cool classic rock vibe.  There is a remake of White Heart's "Independence Day" and Petra's "Beyond Belief" that will act as a good common ground launch site for this group.

I think I will be ordering this ASAP.

Just listening to the Amazon samples now.  I have to say even though it is a little mellower than my usual fare, I dig it.  It doesn't sound like your stereotypical CCM, and it does have a little rock punch interjected in some of the tracks along with some predictibly mellower tunes.  I particularly like their treatment of "Independence Day"....and "Old Guys Rule" sounds like a frieght train of a song.

Just pre-ordered the album. On a related note, Amazon knows me well...

Oldiesmann wrote:

Just pre-ordered the album. On a related note, Amazon knows me well...

That's funny. My "recommend for you" list is often 2/3 full of stuff I could care less about.

Oldiesmann wrote:

Just pre-ordered the album. On a related note, Amazon knows me well...

All I see is the digital version for sale.  Did you preorder that or the CD?

I found where you could preorder from Amazon.  So much for the belief that the CDs will only be available through Lifeway!

alldatndensum wrote:

I found where you could preorder from Amazon.  So much for the belief that the CDs will only be available through Lifeway!

When I clicked on the Amazon pre-order it said it was for the digital version not the CD.

In the search bar, you have to choose the "CDs & Vinyl" option.  Or, you can just use this link:



http://www.amazon.com/Union-Sinners-Saints-John-Schlitt/dp/B01ENA6JC0?ie=UTF8&keywords=The%20Union%20of%20Sinners%20and%20Saints&qid=1463314544&ref_=sr_1_1&s=music&sr=1-1

alldatndensum wrote:

In the search bar, you have to choose the "CDs & Vinyl" option.  Or, you can just use this link:



http://www.amazon.com/Union-Sinners-Saints-John-Schlitt/dp/B01ENA6JC0?ie=UTF8&keywords=The%20Union%20of%20Sinners%20and%20Saints&qid=1463314544&ref_=sr_1_1&s=music&sr=1-1

Thanks I see it now.
Maybe by "having the cd only availible in Lifeway Stores" they meant that it would be the only "brick and mortar" stores that would carry the cd, and you could still buy the physical cd online. IDK, just a thought.

I just preordered.
Kinda funny because I keep using my wife's account to order physical cds from Amazon (because she has Prime, and it doesn't cost anything to ship).  So the digital files for the albums show up in her Amazon Cloud....and she is stuck sifting through a bunch of my rock and metal stuff trying to find her Jazz albums. 

You can actually set it up so you and your wife can share Prime benefits. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201806360 for more info.

Oldiesmann wrote:

You can actually set it up so you and your wife can share Prime benefits. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201806360 for more info.

Good to know, thanks!

It was announced that they are playing near me here in Iowa in a few weeks. I will be going to this show for sure. Said that they will have the CD available as well. Totally looking forward to this show.

Man, I am so jealous!  I'd love to see these guys play!

I've listened to the samples again and just don't think I can be disappointed.  I know--I am getting older and this would appeal to an older fan base.  I just hear something different than most of the rock and metal bands of today.  I hear some old guys who love music trying to find a sound that fits them.  I hear them trying not to do cookie cutter music that is so prevalent in music (any style) today.  Heck, even in metal, the trend is super technical playing with little feeling, over the top double bass drumming, and core vocals.  So, with this band, they are just trying to make a record that THEY like and hopefully a few fans will, too.

That's where I am with my music.  I just want to make something I love.  If others like it, great.  If not, I had fun expressing myself.

Candlemass wrote:

I wish there were more Christians making music like this....Whitesnake has a fantastic sound (and sadly a lot of suggestive lyrics).

Some of it isn't just suggestive--it is plain nasty.

After listening to TUOSAS, I must say that I am quite impressed with it.  It feels like Petra.  It feels like White Heart.  But, it feels like something more.  You can hear the passion that these old dogs have for making music that they themselves will love and that moves them.  The one praise & worship number rocks a lot more than just the snippet we've heard. 

I am not ready to call it album of the year for me, but it is definitely going to give the Dogs Of Peace a good run for the money.