While piercing arena melodies, fiery electric riffs and hard-hitting beats build the foundation of Birmingham-based Embers In Ashes' signature sound, it's the raw honesty of the rockers' pull-no-punches message that brings their full-length sophomore set, Killers & Thieves, into perspective; a potent combo in communicating the power--and Hope--of the Gospel to a hungry generation. Since its inception in 2010, the kinetic quintet has released two projects, 2011's Sorrow Scars EP and 2012's Outsiders; charted a Christian Rock hit with "Then You Came"; scored performance slots at such leading events as Atlanta Fest and Bayfest; headlined dozens of shows; and shared stages with touring rock powerhouses like The Classic Crime, To Speak of Wolves and As Cities Burn. It's an impressive boilerplate for an independent outfit that didn't even exist four years ago. But group founder and lead singer Jeremy Bates professes relationship, not resume, is the point. "Our whole purpose in life is to know Christ and make Him known," Jeremy says. "And music is the tool God has given us to do this." Birthed from the desire to express the Truth of God's love through the universal medium of music, Embers In Ashes' drive to create is straightforward. Whether sharing the story behind a song, talking with teens after a club show, or thoughtfully composing the kind of tracks that bear musical and lyrical relevance for a culture seeking more than superficial prose, the band doesn't shy away from tough topics. "I have dealt with my share of addictions," he vulnerably continues. "I have been flat on my face and ready to give up. Embers represent the new life God breathed into my ashes through Jesus. He gave me life in a world full of death. Embers in ashes. Light in darkness." Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.