Hope In Anguish
East West
Floodgate Records

In 2002 East West were the recipients of the Dove Award for "Best Hard Rock Album of the Year" for "The Light in Guinevere's Garden." Their follow up "Hope in Anguish" is nothing less than award material itself.

Though anguish and pain are prevalent in the sometimes-dark poetry of "Hope in Anguish," hope is also offered as a solution to the pain. So like their counterparts in the hard rock arena, East West can connect by singing about personal pains and struggles. They then distinguish themselves from the typical secular types by offering, "hope."

As a band they appear very tight, as they created "Hope in Anguish" together and not individually. The various writing and recording sessions were often started out with the members joining together for prayer and Bible studies. This dedication and acknowledgement of God's strength is something that even I forget from time to time.

Musically, "Hope in Anguish" is mesmerizing and as dark as the lyrics. However captivating that this may be, I believe that the "hope" in it could easily be missed.