Anberlin is another one of the great bands I found on the old mp3.com. (Have I ever mentioned how much I miss the old mp3.com?) They formed in 2002 and took immediate advantage of the internet. They used every means possible to promote their music and it was quite effective. Less then a year later they had signed with Tooth & Nail Records and were in the studio working with Aaron Sprinkle to produce an awesome debut album. Bands and record labels that are afraid of the internet and the digital music formats should take a lesson from Anberlin. They routinely released their songs on the internet, free to download and it’s been a huge success for them.

Anberlin is billed as an alternative rock band, but they really fall into a grey area. I consider them to be a punk band. They recorded a cover of the Depeche Mode song Enjoy The Silence for the compilation album Punk Goes 90’s. They’re also often found in the punk section at many record stores. Interestingly though, they’re also called a Christian rock group. I’ve never noticed any overt Christian themes or references in their songs, but so be it. But one fact somewhat supports both my belief that they’re punk and other peoples belief that they’re Christian rock. Four of the original Anberlin band members were previously in a Christian pop-punk band called SaGoh 24/7. But that band had a different sound and Anberlin doesn’t perform any songs from that project.

Glass To The Arson appeared on their debut album Blueprints For The Black Market.

Anberlin website