Open Heaven / River Wild

Open Heaven / River Wild
Live album and Video album by Hillsong Worship
Released 16 October 2015
Recorded 29 June – 3 July 2015 at Allphones Arena in Sydney
Genre Contemporary worship music
Length 67:42
Label Hillsong, Sparrow, Capitol
Producer Michael Guy Chislett
Hillsong Worship chronology
No Other Name
(2014)		 Open Heaven / River Wild
(2015)
Singles from Open Heaven / River Wild
  1. "One Thing"
    Released: 18 September 2015

Open Heaven / River Wild (stylised as OPEN HEAVEN / River Wild) is the 24th live album of Hillsong Worship, which consists of several worship pastors from Australian church Hillsong Church. The album was recorded during the 2015 Hillsong Conference at the Allphones Arena from 29 June until 3 July 2015 and was released on 16 October 2015, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group; this marks the first time the church's annual worship album was recorded entirely during the conference,[1] as opposed to the annual July releases that coincide with the event.[2] Michael Guy Chislett oversaw production of the album, while Hillsong senior pastor Brian Houston and his son, worship leader Joel Houston, served as executive producers.

Open Heaven / River Wild features several prominent vocalists of Hillsong, including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston and Marty Sampson, as well as the Hillsong United band and the Hillsong Young & Free group. Following the Easter release of "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)", the album's lead single, "One Thing", was released on 18 September 2015.

Background

In March 2015, "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)" was released as a free download on Hillsong's website, and served as a single for Easter.[2] David Ware served as vocalist for "O Praise the Name", while prominent worship leader Marty Sampson co-wrote the song.[3] Sampson played the song for Hillsong global creative director Cass Langton, who was "overwhelmed" by the song, saying, "The lyrics… they captivated me. The thoughts in the song opened my eyes again to the Gospel story, and I felt the emotions of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ all over again — I could hardly wait to hear our church worship to this song."[4][5]

On 14 June 2015, Langton announced through a blog post that the recording of the next annual live worship album will be at the 2015 Hillsong Conference at the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia, marking the first time the album would be recorded entirely during the conference,[6][1] as opposed to the typical July releases that coincide with the event.[2]

On 17 August 2015, Hillsong released a teaser video on various social media accounts; the title of the album as well as the cover art and the 16 October release date were announced the next day.[7] On 3 September 2015 Hillsong released the trailer to YouTube along with the track-listing for the new album.[8]

Recording

The live worship album and DVD were recorded during the span of the 2015 Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia from 29 June to 3 July.

Worship leaders from several Hillsong Church locations, such as Aryel Murphy from Hillsong Los Angeles, Chris Davenport from Hillsong New York, Tarryn Stokes from Hillsong Melbourne and Reuben Morgan from Hillsong London, were included in the recording.

Promotion

Singles

"One Thing" was released on 18 September 2015 via iTunes as a pre-order single.

"O Praise the Name (Anastásis)" was released on 2 October 2015 via iTunes as a pre-order single.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Christian Beat[9]
Jesus Wired75/100[10]
New Release Today[11]
Worship Leader[12]

Barry Westman, rating the album five stars for Worship Leader, says, "this collection of songs will provide the church with a fresh batch of songs for corporate worship with a heartfelt and intimate feel."[12] Awarding the album four stars at New Release Today, Kevin Davis states, "These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics."[11] Madeleine Dittmer, giving the album four and a half stars from The Christian Beat, writes, "The twelve tracks on this album are beautifully written songs of praise that draw listeners in to a sacred place of worship."[9] Indicating in a 75-percent review at Jesus Wired, Rebekah Joy describes, "[the album] really provides some good anthems of worship that really fit in with the Hillsong brand."[10]

Track listing

Standard edition[13]
No. TitleWriter(s)Worship leader[14][15] Length
1. "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"  Benjamin Hastings, Marty Sampson, Dean UssherMarty Sampson 5:29
2. "Love on the Line"  Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood, Aryel MurphyAryel Murphy 4:56
3. "One Thing"  Joel Houston, Aodhan King, Dylan ThomasAodhan King 6:13
4. "Open Heaven (River Wild)"  Matt Crocker, SampsonMatt Crocker, Hannah Hobbs 7:29
5. "Transfiguration"  King, B. Ligertwood, S. Ligertwood, Taya SmithTaya Smith 5:36
6. "What a Saviour"  Chris Davenport, HoustonJoel Houston 6:57
7. "Heart Like Heaven"  Crocker, HoustonJad Gillies 7:28
8. "Jesus I Need You"  B. Ligertwood, S. Ligertwood, Reuben Morgan, Jarred RogersDavid Ware, Reuben Morgan 4:59
9. "Here with You"  Joshua Grimmett, Johannes Shore, Jamie SnellTarryn Stokes 4:20
10. "In God We Trust"  Ben Fielding, Eric Liljero, MorganBen Fielding, Annie Garratt 4:01
11. "Faithfulness"  DavenportChris Davenport 5:38
12. "Never Forsaken"  Hastings, Hannah HobbsLaura Toggs 4:36
Total length:
 67:42
Digital deluxe edition[16]
No. TitleWriter(s)Worship leader[14][15] Length
13. "Here Now (Madness)" (featuring Hillsong United)Michael Guy Chislett, HoustonJoel Houston, Jad Gillies, Taya Smith 6:55
14. "Rule" (featuring Hillsong United)Crocker, Houston, Benjamin TennikoffJonathon Douglass 4:13
15. "This Is Living" (featuring Hillsong Young & Free)Joel Davies, KingAodhan King 3:34
16. "Pursue / All I Need Is You" (Medley; featuring Hillsong Young & Free)Hobbs, King / SampsonAodhan King, Tracy Pratt 7:43
Total length:
 90:07
DVD[17]
No. Title Length
1. "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"   5:24
2. "Love on the Line"   4:54
3. "One Thing"   6:14
4. "Open Heaven (River Wild)"   7:28
5. "Transfiguration"   5:35
6. "What a Saviour"   6:48
7. "Heart Like Heaven"   7:27
8. "Jesus I Need You"   5:11
9. "Here with You"   4:29
10. "In God We Trust"   3:59
11. "Faithfulness"   5:35
12. "Never Forsaken"   4:10
13. "Here Now (Madness)"   7:04
14. "Rule"   4:12
15. "This Is Living"   3:57
16. "Pursue / All I Need Is You" (Medley) 7:42
Total length:
 90:09

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[19] 137
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[20] 37
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[21] 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[22] 4
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[23] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 24
UK Albums (OCC)[25] 39
US Billboard 200[26] 25
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[27] 1

References

  1. 1 2 Sarachik, Justin (29 September 2015). "Hillsong Worship's 'Open Heaven/River Wild' Album will be First Live Project Recorded at Annual Conference". BreatheCast. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Yap, Timothy (12 July 2015). "Why Haven't Hillsong Worship Released a New Album This Year at the Hillsong Conference?". Hallels. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Ong, Czarina (27 March 2015). "Hillsong singer David Ware says their song 'O Praise The Name' brought a new revelation of Easter". Christian Post. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Langton, Cass (26 March 2015). "I Can't Wait To Sing This Song at Easter". Hillsong.com. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Ong, Czarina (30 March 2015). "Hillsong's Cass Langton cannot wait to sing 'O Praise The Name' on Easter". Christian Post. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Want to Sing on a Hillsong Worship Album? - Collected". hillsong.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Longs, Herb (18 August 2015). "Hillsong Worship's New Album "Open Heaven/River Wild" October 16 Release". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "We're so excited for the release of our... - Hillsong Worship - Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  9. 1 2 Dittmer, Madeleine (October 15, 2015). "Hillsong Worship's "Open Heaven/River Wild" Is A Powerful Worship Experience". The Christian Beat. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Joy, Rebekah (October 16, 2015). "Review: Hillsong Worship – OPEN HEAVEN/River Wild". Jesus Wired. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Davis, Kevin (October 14, 2015). "Casting Minds to Calvary". New Release Today. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  12. 1 2 Westman, Barry. "Hillsong Worship: Open Heaven / River Wild". Worship Leader. p. 64. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Open Heaven / River Wild (Live)". iTunes. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  14. 1 2 "OPEN HEAVEN / River Wild Album Credits". Hillsong Store Help. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  15. 1 2 Open Heaven / River Wild album booklet
  16. ↑ "Open Heaven / River Wild (Deluxe/Live)". iTunes. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  17. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "Open Heaven / River Wild (DVD)". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Hillsong – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Hillsong. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  25. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "Hillsong – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Hillsong. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  27. ↑ "Hillsong – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Hillsong. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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