Sleeping Giant| “Worship Is Not Music ”
Written By: Jameson Ketchum

“Worship is the natural response to the love of Jesus”. Sleeping Giant’s JR Bermuda perfectly sums up what the Sleeping Giant mission is all about. In my experience, never has a band in the heavy genre such as this been so blatantly open to helping others really truly experience God and access things that we may have thought were impossible. Their new record out on recently founded label ANGR, Kingdom Days in an Evil Age is a record they’ve been trying to make for the past several years. They’ve made a soundtrack to the love they experience daily and work so hard to make sure you experience it too. Bassist JR Bermuda fills us in on the details.

Strictly musically speaking, what do you feel is unique about this record as opposed to say Sons of Thunder?

JR Bermuda: On Sons of Thunder, we really experimented with the idea of mixing heavy music with worship. Worship is not music by itself, but rather, we took our response to God’s love, and gave it a soundtrack. This is Kingdom Days in an Evil Age. I feel like we have finally made the record we have been striving for.

Songs like “Enthroned” are just straight up old school church worship. It’s a nice but surprising break in the album. Talk to us about what went into this track.

JB: This is what the Bible describes happening in the throne room of God. In Revelation, there is a vision given. A loud voice from heaven cried “Come up here”. So we, as believers, can access heavenly realms whenever we like. So we did. This song is what that sounds like. The angels sing, “Holy, holy holy is the Lord God almighty”. This song was written from the perspective of heaven.

“The Unnameable Name” really stuck out to me on my first listen. Can you explain what the meaning behind the list of countries is at the end of the track?

JB: These countries are a few examples of places on the earth where you can still get killed or jailed for following Jesus. People we know in other countries have been shot at for worshipping outdoors. We played in Israel and the festival was firebombed. This kind of stuff still happens. It’s the real deal.

This record is also going to be coming with a book, correct? What does that entail?

JB: I wrote a small booklet called The Kingdom Days Manifesto. This has liner notes, principles and values of the kingdom of heaven discussed and explained, all the lyrics, prayers, and some other extra stuff. It’s my first baby step as a writer, so I’m very excited. I think kids who really care will like it.

You guys lost a long time member in Travis Boyd, what’s the story there and what did the new blood bring to the table for this record?

JB: Travis was a founding member of SG, so it was hard to see him go. He was offered the job of a lifetime, and he just had to take it. Since then, he’s working hard and about to get married. We still hang out all the time. Our new drummer Matthew “The Rookie” Weir sent us some videos of him playing our songs, so we decided to fly him out from Texas to try out. Turns out he’s the best drummer and the coolest dude on earth!

You guys left your two album home with Facedown Records to join the up and coming ANGR, with such a small roster starting off, is it nice to have so much personal attention on your band? What drew you to ANGR in the first place?

JB: We fulfilled our contract with Facedown with Sons of Thunder, so we were looking for a new label. Our longtime friends Ryan Downey and Ryan “the Dog” Nelson were starting ANGR about that time. We are good friends, and have seen their heart for ministry, change and awareness for the issues that matter. ANGR was the clear choice. We are excited about this partnership. We are already having a blast with them! “The most important thing you can do in your life is spend time with Jesus alone… It’s all about the secret life. This is where you will learn your identity and destiny…”

You guys are such a huge treat to see live but it seems like your tours are very few and far between. Why hold a schedule such as this when fans are clearly very much into seeing the Sleeping Giant experience live?

JB: I’ll be honest. We are old. We are all married, 3 out of 5 have children, and my hair is falling out. All of us have normal jobs in the meantime. SG is what we love to do, so we make it work as often as possible. Touring is great, but our families will always come before ministry or bands.

There are so many youth out there struggling with the idea of a God who loves them unconditionally. What do you suggest they do to truly seek Him? What has worked for you in the past when you’re feeling far from Him?

JB: The most important thing you can do in your life is spend time with Jesus alone. Church won’t do anything for you if you aren’t getting closer with Him daily. It’s all about the secret life. This is where you will learn your identity and destiny, not from the mouth of some preacher.

This is Sleeping Giant’s third album. Personally, I’ve seen you guys put on one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen, I’ve seen you pray with kids for hours after shows, I’ve seen God use you to heal the sick and I’ve seen people baptized and saved at your shows. What has God been doing in your heart over the lifespan of Sleeping Giant that you just can’t not share with people?

JB: A few profound revelations I have received while playing and touring with the band have changed my life forever. 1. The Holy Spirit IS God. For too long we have seen churches and people groups who make the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit an unacceptable thing within their culture. You cannot have God or Jesus without the Third. They are inseparable. 2. Worship is not music. Worship can be anything from painting to feeding the poor. Worship is the natural response to the love of Jesus. Some people create. Some people sing, others will love other people as a result. Whatever it is, it will cost you something. Worship is sacrifice. 3. Let your faith embrace the idea that God will back you up. Pray for the sick, raise the dead. Heal internal wounds. God has given you the power and ability through the Holy Spirit, and he will do it through you. Go for it! Finally, and most importantly- Waste your life on Jesus. Go in the room, and lock the door. Get alone and spend hours loving him. There is no greater activity in the world. I promise you.