Wednesday Video Spotlight: Christian rockers Pillar reunite, plan new album

Christian rockers Pillar, who have Tulsa ties, announced on their social media pages and in e-mail to their fans over the weekend that they will reform their marquee lineup to record their first album in four years and first release for next-level record label idefi Music.

“We’re going to be doing a record and are shooting for a summer 2013 release,” says Pillar singer Rob Beckley in a news release. “It’s going to have that gritty sound but will come from a more mature place lyrically.”

Considered by many to be the band’s definitive lineup, founding members Beckley and Michael “Kalel” Wittig were joined by guitarist Noah Henson for the 2002 release “Fireproof.” The album immediately topped the charts and in the course of selling more than 300,000 copies, won two Dove Awards and established the band at the vanguard of Christian Rock. During touring for the album Lester Estelle Jr., a much respected drummer joined the group, and the four members formed one of the most successful Christian rock bands to date. The album spawned several hit singles, including the title track and the band’s signature song “Fireproof.”

In 2004, the band again topped the charts with the release of “Where Do We Go From Here.” The album immediately shot to No. 1 and included the singles “Bring Me Down” and “Frontline.”

“What was cool about ‘Fireproof’ and ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ was we were young and touring….those were pretty authentic records,” Beckley says in the release.

The band’s next full-length album, “The Reckoning,” not only furthered the band success but earned a Grammy nod for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. Their follow-up “For Love of the Game” brought more Dove nominations and hit singles but would be the end of the band’s most successful line-up as Estelle and Wittig departed.