There’s no pretending here—life gets tough, and Behold the Beloved’s latest album, “Harsh Realities,” doesn’t shy away from that truth. Instead, it leans into the struggle, channeling pain and perseverance into honest, anthemic rock for anyone who needs a reminder that faith doesn’t make you immune to hardship—it just makes you resilient.
Produced by Thornwall Studios and with vocal production from Josiah Prince (Disciple), “Harsh Realities” is more than just a collection of songs. It’s a rallying cry for the wounded, the weary, and everyone wrestling with faith in a broken world. The record features notable collaborations: Andrew Stanton (Disciple) brings his guitar firepower on “Ready to Die,” and Jon Micah Sumrall (Kutless) delivers a heartfelt vocal on “Am I Broken.” Yet, the soul of this album belongs to Behold the Beloved’s five members—Sean Green, Jeff Lehman, Jason Stauffer, Sheldon Stauffer, and Tim Kitchen—each contributing raw authenticity to the mix (Behold the Beloved Official; JesusWired).
From its opening notes, “Harsh Realities” refuses to sugarcoat the pain that often comes with belief. The album’s lead single, “Dear Martyr,” currently a top-10 hit, sets the tone: encouragement laced with honesty. Behold the Beloved doesn’t tiptoe around the tough stuff—false prophets, persecution, mental and physical anguish, the ache of feeling unforgivable, even the temptation to give up entirely. Each track digs deep, pulling no punches about what it means to live with faith in a world that doesn’t always play fair (NeverForNothing; TodaysChristianEnt).
But there’s hope threaded through the album’s core. “Life will always bring challenges and destruction,” the band says, “but these realities are never too much for God to overcome or redeem.” Their message is clear: struggle is universal, but so is the possibility of redemption.
The record’s collaborative tracks provide powerful moments of catharsis. “Ready to Die” (with Andrew Stanton) and “Am I Broken” (featuring Jon Micah Sumrall) elevate the emotional stakes, showing that even those we look up to in the faith community have their scars. The band isn’t just singing at their listeners—they’re singing with them, creating a sense of solidarity that’s rare in today’s music scene (Behold the Beloved Facebook).
As the final track fades, Behold the Beloved returns to gratitude—literally. Their cover of “Gratitude” serves as a gentle benediction, closing the record not with answers, but with thankfulness for the journey and the scars that shape us. It’s a fitting end to an album that’s all about facing the truth and finding hope anyway (TodaysChristianEnt).
In a world full of easy answers and empty platitudes, “Harsh Realities” stands out as a record unafraid to wade into the mess. It’s for the faithful and the frayed, the hopeful and the hurting. If you’re searching for music that meets you where you are—honestly—this album is a hand reaching out in the dark.
Harsh Realities tracklist:
“Dear Martyr”
“Darker The Night”
“Untouchable”
“Toxic Lullabies”
“Powerplay”
“Am I Broken – (feat. Jon Micah Sumrall of Kutless)”
“Heartbreak”
“Live Again”
“Ready To Die – (feat. Andrew Stanton of Disciple)”
“Gratitude”
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