There is a sense of spiritual militance in War, the latest song from gospel artiste Vessel. Produced by Craig McDonald, it is a battle cry against anyone or anything that defies the Word.

Vessel, who is based in Florida, points to the New Testament book of Corinthians as proof that Christians should always be prepared to take on evil forces.

“The scriptures say in CORINTHIANS 10 vs 2-5…‘What war. As believers, we are at war if we want to believe it or not’. Our war is spiritual. We war against anything that exalts itself above Christ Jesus,” he told Observer Online.

This is Vessel’s latest collaboration with McDonald, who has produced most of his songs. Canute Neil Ellis, another neo-gospel act, created the beat for War which the singjay describes as “a song of victory”.

It is the follow-up to Pure Gold, which is also produced by McDonald. That song, released in April, looks at the challenges Christians face in a world of temptation.

With War, Vessel shows that the Christian soldier’s mentality is no different from his military counterpart.

“We are not fighting from a place of defeat. We are victorious in Christ Jesus, in everything,” he reasoned.

While he has been a committed Christian for over 30 years, Vessel (real name Avlon Coleman) never abandoned the secular sounds he heard as a youth in Jamaica.

Those dancehall, reggae and hip hop influences are evident in his songs and two albums he has recorded.

— Howard Campbell