Pillar

Pillar formed around the talents of vocalist Rob Beckley, drummer Lester Estelle, guitarist Noah Henson, and bassist Kalel. Since 1998, these alt-metal-tinged Christian rockers have refined their catchy style while enrolled at Ft. Hays State University in northwestern Kansas. Their independent debut, Metamorphosis, caught the attention of Flicker Records, which signed the group to a contract in 2000. Months afterward came the follow-up album Above. Its lead track, "Open Your Eyes," gained traction on college radio, propelling sales of Above close to 60,000 copies. The band also received the Best Rock Band honor at the 2001 Dove Awards. Relocating to Tulsa, OK, the following year, Pillar issued Fireproof; MCA then acquired the act and re-released that vigorous second album in 2003. Mid-2004 brought Where Do We Go from Here, with The Reckoning arriving two years after that.