The Persuaded is for the long time followers of Christian heavy music. The train for bands like Project 86, Justifide, Skillet (when they were more industrial), Decyfer Down, and the luck may be leaving the station, but those folks are always going to be looking for some good old fashioned rock. Not metal. Not alternative. Just loud rock.

The Persuaded are here to fill that slightly nostalgic niche, though they may be reluctant to call this segment music nostalgic. With new releases from scene mainstays TFK and Skillet this year, could there be a resurgence of rock? Matt Baird of Spoken seems to believe in this band enough to lend guest vocals on a single (streamable below), so he probably agrees with this presupposition.

Get to know The Persuaded more below:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTTWvG62Oro[/youtube]

Who would play your ideal festival and where would it be?

“Man, that’s a good question. I’d love to blend different styles of music. Metal, rock, jazz, rap, you name it. It would be in my Home state of Tennessee. and for headliners I’d definitely have UnderØath, Paramore, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Disciple, just to name a few of my favorites.”

What is your favorite music released this year thus far? What are you looking forward to?

Life Screams by Lacey Sturm, and Oxygen: Exhale by TFK are a couple of great albums from this year. I’m also really digging the new Blink 182 single. As far as stuff I’m looking forward to: Well, there’s lots of great music coming out. Hopefully Underoath. My friends in Disciple are also working on a new record. Im mainly excited about the new record from my friends in Ilia. As well as my bros in As We Ascend, 3 Times Driven, and Out Of Black.

What summer movie are you most looking forward to?

“Independence Day seems like one that we’re all looking forward to. And of course Suicide Squad.”

Assume I know NOTHING about your band. In one sentence, why should I listen to you?

“If you like Hard, Heavy music, but is also encouraging and real. Then you should check us out. We talk about very real and legit situations and circumstances that happen in life. We love to share our testimonies and our stories of how we made it out of those situations. We love to share our faith is Jesus Christ and hopefully shine a light and give people a new perspective on Christianity from real guys that have been in the same situations.”

Who on the Audiofeed lineup are you most stoked about this year and why?

“Emery is gonna be an awesome one. Been listening to them for years. Also excited to see Wolves At The Gate again, this will be our second time playing with them.”

If your band had a mission statement, what would it say?

“We strive to give people hope and encouragement, and show them they are not alone and that no matter what they’ve done or no matter what they’re going through, that there is a God that loves them and thinks the world of them.”

What band from your area do more people need to hear? That most Audiofeed attendees (and beyond) would not have heard of.

My friends in the Rock/Metal band Out Of Black are a very new band that are about to drop an insanely good EP, you should definitely check them out. My friends in 3 Times Driven are also great if you like hard, heavy southern Rock/Metal.

What song do you hear and you immediately think “Summer!”?

“In Too Deep” by Sum 41, or “Ocean Avenue”by Yellowcard.

What is something you’ve been learning on your life or faith journey lately?

Only you have the ability to say, “I’m not gonna let this defeat me”. Lately, I’ve really had to just pick myself up and keep going no matter what life had thrown my way. These past couple years have been a real struggle, but I’m learning everyday who I am, most importantly who God says I am. I hope to encourage more people with that.