The Union Of Sinners & Saints – ‘Self-titled’ album review

As longtime members of Petra and Whiteheart respectively, singer John Schlitt and guitarist/producer Billy Smiley sure know how to rock loud and proud. But rather than resting on past laurels or cashing in on nostalgia, the veterans have formed the brand new band The Union Of Sinners And Saints with some of Christian music’s finest players and are translating their classic sensibilities to today. Whether it’s a blazing cover of the classic hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (in the tradition of the Petra Praise series) or a stable of entirely new originals, the guys aren’t shy about their faith or witnessing to the world at large. And even with more than a dozen million album sales behind them, Schlitt, Smiley and the band sound as musically hungry as ever with a straight ahead melodic rock collection that ranks right up there with either co-leader’s best work.