The heaviest song on the album is immediately followed by another upbeat rocker in "Light it Up." While Sprinkle was brought it for his electro-pop expertise, fellow co-producer Jasen Rauch was brought in to help beef up these hard rockers. This number is heavier, riff-driven rock and is more comparable to something like "Our Darkest Day" from World We View, especially in the breakdown. "Die in the Dark" kicks up the intensity and brings the sound I'd truly been waiting to hear. While it lyrically comes off as another honest endeavor, the "oh-oh-oh" repeated after the chorus feels too similar to that in "Break the World." The shame of it is that it actually fits much better into this tune.
"Fear and Shadows" has a definite older Linkin Park vibe and is one of a few songs discussing "light and dark" thematically. You can have my broken hear everything that's left in me and I will surrender…" While some may claim it's a song to simply garner radio play, I would argue that those types of songs typically feel more generic and not this honest. I need to know You want won't let go through it all. Though You told me where to go I've lost the road," in the first part of verse one and follows rather fervently in the chorus, " Cause I've become a desperate soul when Your unfailing love feels far. Dunn sings out, " I am tired I am broken unsure at every turn.
The track walks a fine line between rock ballad and AC hit. While you expect a ballad or two on an album like this, "Surrender" isn't quite the assumed format. "Lights We Burn" starts with a slight pop vibe, but opens nicely in the chorus with a sound more akin to someone like Three Days Grace. You do remember I said Katy Perry, right? Sadly, the song just feels too out of place for a rock record. The pop sound eventually slows a bit for a piano section before going into full-on Night at the Roxbury mode. The first shock for those not prepared is "Where I Belong." You keep waiting for the almost sugary pop sound of the intro to fade, but it just doesn't. The first few minutes preview a band who seems focused, and singer Jeremy Dunn's switch from softer vocals to a much more aggressive growl (at times from line to line) sounds nice. "Never Back Down" and lead single "Break the World" bring chunky guitars and catchy hooks coupled with some electronic elements, a-la Linkin Park, courtesy of co-producer Aaron Sprinkle. The album opens with the modern rock sound fans of Nine Lashes have come to expect. It's all pretty evident when you listen to this record, whose title circles around baptism and the spiritual war that ensues afterward. The group has musical tastes ranging from Linkin Park (early and current), Imagine Dragons - dare I say Katy Perry, - and so many more.
Where World We View was basic modern rock, From Water to War is a mixture of modern rock, a little "Imagine Dragons" flavor, and straight-up pop. The guys in Nine Lashes approached this project from a sense of doing what they like and featuring some of their member's favorite sounds. What some may see as a slight departure in sound, others may see as artistic integrity and growth. This release honestly provided a surprising course of progression and change. Nearly 2 years, to the date, later, these Alabama boys find themselves releasing their sophomore effort with From Water to War. The outing offered mostly straightforward modern rock, but also offered hope of growth and a slight break of the monotony found in the genre. Nine Lashes broke into the mainstream of Christian rock in early 2012 with their Tooth and Nail debut, World We View.