[Jonular]

Day of Fire, Essential Records' new rock band, recently wrapped recording on its national self-titled debut, releasing Oct. 26. Frontman Joshua Brown is the former lead singer of mainstream rock band, Full Devil Jacket (Island/Def Jam Records) who turned away from his rock-star lifestyle after surviving a heroine overdose and surrendering his life to God while in rehabilitation.

Brown comments, "I'm straight from the world, and this aggressive music is the language of this generation. But it brings a message of hope into a hopeless life. I want people to have an encounter with Jesus Christ through this music and be radically changed forever, 'cause that's what happened to me," says Brown. "And if God can save me, He can save anybody."

Brown teamed up with guitarist Gregg Hionis in his hometown of Jackson, Tenn., and the two co-wrote the Day of Fire debut. The album is produced by Scott Humphrey (Metallica, Motley Crue, Rob Zombie) and features Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction) on bass, drummer Gary Novak and guitarist Phil X, (Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne, Andrew W.K), along with Mat Nelson (Nelson) on back-up vocals.

As Day of Fire prepares for the Oct. release, it is already making early impressions at media, retail and summer festivals. The band taped its first 700 Club interview last week, with a tentative air-date of Aug. 20, and has secured features in upcoming issues of HM and Seven Ball magazines. Retailers were recently introduced to the band at the Christian Bookseller's International Convention in Atlanta, where Day of Fire's performance at Provident's "Big Ticket" concert received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd of key industry frontliners.

Mike Snowdon, music buyer for Mardel, was in attendance, "I have been blown away by Day of Fire! Joshua Brown has a powerful testimony which sets him apart and makes everyone stop and listen. His intensity for God and reaching the lost is evident the first time you encounter the band, and the album is incomparable to anything we have in Christian music. I am convinced that Day of Fire is going to make a huge impact in our industry."

Day of Fire is currently performing on the mainstage before the headliner at major festivals this summer including Atlantafest, ALIVE Fest, Creation East, Creation West and Spirit West Coast. In addition, national fall tour plans are being finalized and will be announced soon.

"Day of Fire's festival performances have served as a great introduction to Joshua and Day of Fire - a great appetizer of things to come!" says John Huie, Creative Artists Agency, booking agent for the band.

Marketing highlights for Day of Fire include placement at retail as part of Provident Distribution's fall Pulse campaign from Oct. 26 – Dec. 31, catalog advertising with all major chains, along with extensive Internet promotion and street week plans. The band's first radio single is set to release in August to CHR/Rock formats.

Day of Fire EPK with Joshua Brown's testimonial available at www.DayofFire.com. For the latest tour dates, visit www.essentialrecords.com.

Nashville-based Essential Records was founded in 1992 to provide relevant music from a God-centered perspective. Essential Records is part of the Provident Label Group, distributed through Provident Distribution and through partnerships with BMG.